Scripture
Jacob served Laban for seven years to get Rachel but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.

Observation
Laban asks Jacob to name his waged for working for him. Jacob offers to work for seven years in exchange for Rachel.

The seven years seem like only a few days for Jacob. The time comes and a big feast is prepared, and finally Jacob gets his girl.

In the morning he discovers that he has been set up with Rachel's older sister Leah. Now he has to work another seven years for Rachel, but he gets her at the beginning not the end of the seven years.

Application
This bartering and swapping of these girls seems strange to our modern ears, but at the heare of the story is that two tricksters are trying to outdo each other.

God is moulding Jacob so that instead of relying on his own deviousness, he will learn to put all of his faith in God.

Eventually Jacob will get the message.

God is trying something similar in all of us- stripping away our self-reliance , our cleverness and trickery so that we can trust in God alone.

Prayer
Lord I confess to you that there are many parts of my life that are out of your order. Help me to learn to trust in your goodness rather than my own wiles. Amen.