Laban
Laban lived in Mesopotamia and was the brother of Rebekah. He played an important part in the marriage arrangements of Rebekah and Isaac. He was known for his greediness and deception. Years later when Jacob left home to escape the anger of Esau he met Rachel, Laban's daughter, at a well. Laban promised Jacob that if he worked seven years for him he would give Jacob his daughter, Rachel, in marriage. After seven years he tricked Jacob and gave him Leah, the oldest daughter instead. When Jacob confronted him he agreed to let him marry Rachel after one week, but he must work another seven years. After the seven years he persuaded Jacob to work longer. The wages he promised were changed ten times in six years. When Jacob quietly leaves with his wives, children and herds, Laban pursues. Eventually they come to a peaceful agreement and they heap up a mound of stones as a testimony and a witness before God that they would have no further dealings with each other.
Lessons from the life of Laban:
- Selfishness and self-centeredness is something that all mankind has in common.
- Recognizing selfishness is the first step on the road back to God.
- God's plans cannot be blocked.
- Those who use people will eventually pay the cost.
Laban's story is told in Genesis 24:1 through Genesis 31:55.
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