As the seven years came to a close and the time approached for Jacob to claim his bride, Leah grew so distressed she became ill. When Laban checked to see what was wrong, she told him that she no longer wanted to live. “I am the oldest and should be the one getting married. I am the one who loves Jacob the best. How can I endure seeing my sister married to the only man I will ever love?”
This bothered Laban. It was indeed true that it was an age-old custom that the oldest daughter should be married first. “But,” he countered, “it’s Rachel that he loves. It’s Rachel he’s been working for all this time. How can I tell him, he cannot have Rachel?”
“Father,” Leah begged, “it’s just that he hasn’t noticed me. If I were married to him I could make him love me.”
Laban began to mull about the possibilities. Maybe everyone could get what they wanted. More than anything he wanted to keep Jacob from leaving with Rachel. He knew that this was exactly what Jacob had in mind. What if I marry Leah to him and then promise him Rachel within the week if he’ll agree to work seven more years?
To do this he would have to manage many things secretly. He could tell Leah only part of his plan, but he must keep it all from Jacob and Rachel. He would definitely need the help of the old idols in the space under the stairs. The old goat-man could be depended upon to help further any scheme that involved secrets and careful manipulation.
* * *
When the day of his wedding feast actually came, Jacob could hardly endure the slow, dragging necessities. He went as in a trance with the sons of Laban to the bath and endured their crude jokes and lively banter. He sat at the feast without noticing the food or that it was Laban who sat beside him instead of his veiled bride. “You are one of us,” Laban said, “my own sister’s son. We do not need such formalities.”
Laban was so jovial and complimentary that Jacob relaxed. He knew that the best wine had been brought out for the occasion, and he didn’t question his uncle’s motive when he filled his goblet again and again. He also didn’t notice that Laban was nervous and kept having whispered conversations with several servants.
At last when the moon had disappeared and the torches gave off only a dim glow, Laban himself escorted Jacob to the marriage chamber. “These old women have seen that the chamber is ready,” Laban said. “You’ll find my daughter already inside waiting for you.” Laban opened the door and nudged Jacob into the dark room, then closed the door.
Laban stood listening for a few moments, and when he heard no unusual outcry, he went out into the courtyard and up to the roof. He sat alone in his usual seat under the grape arbor. He could not help remembering his own marriage to the daughter of Nazzim so long ago. He had not seen her, but he knew very well what he was getting. It was Nazzim’s influence and money he cared about, so it didn’t matter what she looked like in the morning when the veil was removed. The bargain had been a good one. She had given him one son and eventually Nazzim’s wealth.
In the bright light of day, Jacob would also know the truth, if not before then. Laban had to admit that Jacob was being badly tricked. Laban shuddered to think of facing him in the morning. He would, of course, have the goat-man to blame. He would insist it was the old goat-man idol that gave him the idea. “You have to marry the eldest first,” he would insist the idol had advised. “Then if he still wants the other sister, you can give her to him after a week, but only after making sure that he agrees to work another seven years.”
The cunning of the goat-man was unequaled. Laban knew these thoughts came from him because they were so brilliant. “I have never been that clever,” he muttered to himself.
He sighed as he rose and headed for the stairs. In the morning he would not only have to face Jacob but also Rachel. Since his first wife was now living in her own rooms apart from the rest of the family, he had taken Rachel to her for safekeeping. With Barida’s consent he had locked them both in her rooms and wouldn’t let them out until morning.
Barida was now old and bitter since Laban had taken many other wives. She especially hated the mother of Rachel and was ready to do anything that would cause her or her daughters distress. Her eyes glinted with an evil, crafty look as Laban left Rachel with her to be dressed for her wedding night. She winked at him as she handed him the key, and he felt twinges of guilt that he should please her so at Rachel’s expense.
* * *
The next morning it was even worse than Laban had anticipated. To his surprise Jacob blamed Leah for deceiving him and hurting her sister. As Laban found out later, Jacob had discovered the trick with the first light of day. Instantly he had yanked Leah’s arms from around his neck and flung her from him in disgust. “How could you do this!” he demanded.