Day 18: The history of Jacob

So Jacob the twister takes centre stage. Isaac's character never really emerged from the shadows - what we did see of him seemed very like his father. But the evidence is already there to show that Jacob is not exactly upright and honourable. His approach to sibling rivalry was to outsmart his brother wherever possible, and his mother helped out when she could. Well, he's won - he's stolen the birthright and the blessing, let's see what he can do with them. Oh, and the promise - it's hanging on his shoulders now.

Jacob sent to Laban's house
Genesis 28:1-5
Dream at Bethel
Genesis 28:10-22
Arrives in Haran
Genesis 29:1-14
Works 7 years to get Rachel
Genesis 29:15-20
Marriage to Leah then to Rachel
Genesis 29:21-30
12 children born while working for Laban
Genesis 29:31-30:24
Jacob's closing days with Laban
Genesis 30:25-43, 31:1-16

Jacob realises that he has overstepped the mark, and humbly obeys his father when told to go away and find himself a wife from his kinsfolk. On the way, he has the wonderful vision of the stairway to heaven (cue crooning Robert Plant) and - typical Jacob - makes a bargain with God. If you make your promise come true, you can be my God. Abraham just believed. Jacob does a deal.
Once again there's a happy coincidence as soon as he arrives in Harran - he meets Rachel straight away, just as Abraham's servant met Rebekah. At first, all goes well - Laban welcomes him, and promises him Rachel in return for 7 years work. But Laban has a trick or two up his sleeve, and gives him the ugly daughter instead. Poor Leah - another victim of sibling rivalry, but she bears it stoically. There's real pain in the account of her naming her children "perhaps my husband will love me now."
Jacob proves to be an astute herdsman, and multiplies his flocks at the expense of Laban - indulging in a bit of selective breeding. He's doing plenty of breeding of his own, as his 12 sons (and daughter Dinah) are born, and we can see the seeds of tension being sown as there is no love lost between Leah and Rachel.