Jacob arrived in Paddan Aram in Genesis 29, fell in love with Rachel, worked seven years to be allowed to marry her, but her father Laban tricked Jacob, so he got Leah instead. Then he worked another “seven years for Rachel”. But it was Leah that gave him his first four children, Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah.
John 11:1-44 describes how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (on the fourth day no less).
Genesis 30 records the remaining children born to Jacob (except Benjamin, who would be born later). It also tells a story about Rachel, desperate to get a child of her own was bargaining with Leah for Reuben’s mandrakes. After Joseph was born, Jacob wanted to leave and go back to the promised land, but Laban bargained with him to stay and make them even more prosperous. Through selective breeding Jacob acquired the majority of the flocks and became wealthy.
Psalm 6 is a prayer, this time from a humble David asking for mercy, but also asking God to humiliate his enemies.
Len Bilén's blog, a blog about faith, politics and the environment. 