Monday, January 11, 2010

MHCC 7: Labour of Love

And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. (Gen. 29.20)

Matthew Henry writes:

II. Jacob's honest performance of his part of the bargain, v. 20. He served seven years for Rachel. If Rachel still continued to keep her father's sheep (as she did, v. 9), his innocent and religious conversation with her, while they kept the flocks, could not but increase their mutual acquaintance and affection (Solomon's song of love is a pastoral); if she now left it off, his easing her of that care was very obliging. Jacob honestly served out his seven years, and did not forfeit his indentures, though he was old; nay, he served them cheerfully: They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had to her, as if it were more his desire to earn her than to have her. Note, Love makes long and hard services short and easy; hence we read of the labour of love, Heb. vi. 10. If we know how to value the happiness of heaven, the sufferings of this present time will be as nothing to us in comparison of it. An age of work will be but as a few days to those that love God and long for Christ's appearing.

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