Motivation – The Endurance of Service

Genesis 29:15-30 “And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be? And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her. And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid. And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me? And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years. And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also. And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid. And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.”

Text Genesis 29:15 “shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?”

Jacob worked the first seven years because 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” (vs.20). The second seven years Jacob worked because of law, “And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn” (vs.26). The first seven years it was a delight, but the second seven years were duty. When Jacob’s motivation changed, he was always looking for a way out. Jacob would do what he had to do as long as he had to do it, but no more! This truth can also be seen in the words of Jesus, “And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain” (Matthew 5:41). In accordance to the law, a Roman soldier could compel a person to carry their pack the distance of one mile. Some say that all the roads leading out of town had a mound of stones marking the exact distance of one mile from town. The law may make someone carry that pack from town to that mound of rock, but not an inch farther. The law may cause you to go the first mile, but only love would endure the second mile. While the law is looking for a place to quit, love is looking to go farther! Are you looking for a place to quit? Your motivation will determine your answer!