Genesis 29:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

To illustrate how profound love renders time and labor insignificant, Scripture tells us: ‘And Jacob served for Rachel seven years; and they seemed to him but a few days, because he loved her.’ Seven years felt like mere days to him due to his intense affection for Rachel. When passion inflames one’s heart, challenges fade into the background, and regardless of how many trials or calamities arise, the individual perseveres with ease, focusing solely on achieving their desire. Let us, who often act carelessly and neglectfully and show ingratitude toward the Lord, reflect on this! If this righteous man, driven by love for Rachel, committed himself to toil for seven years, finding ease despite the hardships of pastoral life, and if his longing made such a lengthy period feel brief, what excuse do we have for failing to show a similar devotion to our Lord, our Benefactor and Provider, who graciously attends to our needs? When worldly gains beckon, we willingly endure labor and face various trials, even risking shame or punishment, whether temporary or eternal. Yet, concerning our salvation and to win divine favor, we find ourselves weak, indifferent, and slack. What excuse will we have for such grievous neglect when we refuse to offer God the love that the righteous man had for the maiden, especially in light of the countless blessings continually bestowed upon us? We are undeniably ungrateful. However, the Apostle Paul exemplified a different spirit; he was fervent and ablaze with love for God, proclaiming: ‘Who shall separate us from the love of God’ (Rom. 8:35)? Notice the depth of this statement, the strength of his overwhelming passion! ‘Who shall separate us’—that is to say, is there anything that could possibly diminish our connection to the love of God, whether it be seen or unseen? He continues: ‘Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword’? O soul, ignited with joy and humility! What hardships can truly sever our bond with the love of God? Are the struggles of daily life able to do so? No. What about hardship? Definitely not! Persecution? Absolutely not! Do famine and danger hold power in this regard? Even in the face of death, he asserts that such threats cannot prevail; all would fall short, all would be ineffective. No one has been honored with as much love for the Lord as this blessed soul. His declarations seem as if he has already departed from this earthly realm, elevated towards the heavens, no longer perceiving his presence on earth. His yearning for God and his fiery devotion elevated his thoughts from the physical to the spiritual, from the present to the eternal, from the visible to the invisible. Such is the nature of faith and love for God! To witness the fruits of His goodness, consider how, passionate in his devotion to the Lord and enduring exile, persecution, and countless horrors, he declared: ‘I was in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness’ (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Despite these challenges, he rejoiced, fully convinced that his temporal trials would yield the greatest rewards, that his afflictions prepared crowns for him. Just as Jacob considered seven years as mere days out of love for Rachel, so too did the blessed Paul, inflamed with love for God and enduring all things for Christ, regard all earthly challenges as insignificant. Let us strive, I implore you, to love Christ in the same manner. According to His own words (Matthew 22:37), Christ seeks nothing more from us than to love Him with all our heart and to observe His commandments. He who loves as he ought will certainly endeavor to keep His commandments, for true affection drives one to act in ways that endear them to their beloved. Similarly, if we genuinely love the Lord, we will obey His commandments and refrain from actions that might displease Him. To be worthy of such sincere love towards Him is to enter the kingdom of heaven and to experience true bliss, characterized by infinite blessings. Our love for Him will be genuine when we also love our neighbors—‘on these two commandments,’ He declared, ‘hang all the law and the prophets’ (Matthew 22:40). This encapsulates the essence of every virtue and serves as the foundation for all of God’s commands. Love for God is intrinsically connected to love for others, as those who love God cannot neglect their brothers, nor place wealth above their fellow humans; instead, they will contribute generously, mindful of Him who said: ‘Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it unto me’ (Matthew 25:40). Recognizing that acts of kindness towards our neighbor are ultimately kindnesses towards the Lord, we will act with diligence and demonstrate generosity in charity, focusing not on the shortcomings of those we aid but on the greatness of Him who promises to receive what we do for the lowly. Let us not overlook this opportunity to care for our souls, this remedy for our wounds. It will bring us immense benefit, healing our spiritual wounds so thoroughly that no trace will remain. Unlike our physical wounds, which can never be healed without a lingering scar—even with the best medical care—when the soul is healed, anyone who exhibits a sincere disposition will undergo a remarkable transformation for the better; all blemishes will vanish like dust in a strong wind. Scripture provides ample examples. Thus, Paul, once a persecutor, transformed into an apostle, and he who initially sought to destroy the Church became its bridegroom—such a dramatic shift! Consider the amazing transformation! The thief, responsible for numerous crimes, purged his sins instantaneously with a few words, earning from the Lord the promise: ‘Today you will be with Me in paradise’ (Luke 23:43). Likewise, the tax collector, who humbled himself and confessed his sins, ‘went to his house justified’ (Luke 18:14). Each of these men displayed a sincere disposition, acknowledged their past sins, and through that recognition, received forgiveness. Let us then grasp the significance of this commandment and the profound impact of generous giving, so that we are more motivated to engage in it when we appreciate the blessings it brings. It is so fruitful that it not only erases sins but also dispels death itself. How can this be, you ask? Though we see that all remain under death’s power, do not despair, dear ones, but witness how the liberating power of almsgiving defeats even death. There was a certain woman named Tabitha, whose name means Dorcas, who committed herself to charitable works daily, amassing virtue by clothing widows and providing them with various forms of assistance (Acts 9:37). When she fell ill and died, observe how those she had helped rallied to support their benefactor: they approached the apostle, displaying the garments she had made for them, all the good she had done, and mourning her passing, arousing the apostle’s compassion. Then Peter, kneeling, prayed, and turning to the body, called, ‘Tabitha, arise.’ She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand, lifted her, and presented her alive to the saints and widows (Acts 9:40-41). Do you perceive the power of the apostle, or rather, the Lord working through him? Do you recognize that even in this life there was a reward for the widow’s good deeds? What had she done for the widows that prompted such a response? She had provided them with clothing and nourishment, and they, in turn, restored her life, but most importantly, it was our loving Lord who acted on their behalf. Witness the power of spiritual healing, dearly beloved! Let us all prepare to partake in it, for it is not costly yet possesses remarkable strength; it’s genuinely inexpensive and does not demand much because the value of alms is not determined by the amount donated but by the intention behind the gift. The one who offers a cup of cold water (Matt. 10:42) and the one who contributes two mites find favor; thus we understand that our Lord desires purity of heart above all. Often, those of modest means exhibit remarkable generosity in giving when their intentions are right, while the wealthy may fall short due to their reluctance to give. Therefore, I urge each of you to generously share what you can with those in need, returning to the Lord what He has blessed you with, so you may receive back even greater abundance. He is exceedingly generous; when He accepts our gifts, He does not treat it merely as receiving His own, but promises to return it multiplied, provided we show readiness to share our blessings with the poor, recognizing that the right hand of God not only restores what we offer but gives us abundantly more, as He is always generous in all things. And what I say is true—it will return to us even more! Beyond that, we will gain the kingdom of heaven, honor, crowns, and countless blessings if we give even a little of what He has provided. Does the Lord ask for anything burdensome or demanding? He desires that we share what we have beyond our needs, wisely distributing surplus and unnecessary quantities, transforming this into an opportunity for Him to grant us a radiant crown. He eagerly aids us, guiding all circumstances to bestow upon us the blessings He has promised. Therefore, I implore you, let us not forfeit such great blessings. If farmers exhaust their resources by sowing seeds and willingly cast away what they have gathered, finding solace in the anticipation of reaping greater harvests, despite knowing that weather changes, poor soil, and other challenges can thwart their hopes—if they, swayed by positive expectations, invest in the earth what they have stored, how much more ought we to generously share what we possess for the nourishment of the poor, since our efforts will never be met with disappointment regarding a favorable outcome, nor will we fear the failures that may arise in farming? ‘He has dispersed, he has given to the poor,’ Scripture says—listen to what comes next: ‘his righteousness endureth for ever’ (Psalms 111:9). What a marvelous act of generosity! Given away quickly, yet yielding righteousness that lasts through all eternity. Can there be anything more blessed than this? Therefore, I beseech you, acquire righteousness through acts of charity, that it may be said of us fittingly: they gave to the poor, and their righteousness endures forever. While it is stated, ‘They dispersed, they gave to the poor, and their righteousness endureth for ever’—this reveals that after the temporary treasures are shared, a lasting righteousness remains, one that is eternal, never ceasing. Along with mercy, let us also diligently cultivate the other virtues. We must tame the desires of the flesh, expelling every impure thought, anger, bitterness, and envy from our souls; let us cultivate the beauty of our spirits, ensuring we attract the Lord of heaven, who delights in establishing His dwelling within us. Wherever He identifies a beautiful soul, He immediately approaches. He articulates: ‘On whom I will look: on him that is humble and contrite in spirit, and on him that trembles at My word’ (Isaiah 66:2). He points out the spiritual qualities that illuminate inner goodness! He honors those who are ‘broken in spirit’ and ‘humble,’ adding that all other virtues originate from this: ‘and on him that trembles at My word.’ What does it mean to ‘tremble at My word’? It indicates an individual who demonstrates obedience to God’s commandments through their actions, as articulated in another verse: ‘Blessed is the man who always remains in awe’ (Proverbs 28:14).

Before His Incarnation, He existed among His creation as God; despite being unrecognized by the world, He demonstrated His innate goodness and divine compassion towards us. This is exemplified by the divine James, who serves as a model. He cared for Laban's flock without any expectation of reward, driven solely by the hope of marrying Laban's two daughters and becoming the father of legitimate offspring. These daughters were Leah and Rachel. As the divine Son, He entered the world (represented by Laban) and, in a sense, tended to the flock, ensuring that all had sufficient sustenance. He provided the bounty of the earth, sent forth springs and rivers, commanded the sun to rise, as stated in Matthew 5:45, and brought forth rain, instilling within humanity a natural wisdom.

Indeed, for those who endure suffering through love, a single day can feel like a complete human existence. I believe it is not necessary to illustrate this with the example of Jacob, who worked diligently for fourteen years for Laban the Syrian to gain two brides, yet did not become fatigued. As it is written, "because he loved them," all those years felt as a mere day to him perhaps because his beloved ones were constantly in his sight, or because the trials of love become lighter even if the waiting brings anguish. Thus, that which is easily attained often stirs less desire, as has been noted by others before us.

For those who are filled with love, nothing is unattainable. No effort is too great for the one who is blessed. Consider the sacrifices Jacob made for his beloved Rachel: And Jacob served, as the Scripture states, for Rachel seven years; and they appeared to him but a few days because of his love for her (Genesis 29:20). Later, he reflects, 'The days were as the heat of the day, and the cold of the night' (Genesis 31:40). Let us also love Christ and continually desire His presence, and all burdens will seem light to us; we will perceive what feels lengthy as brief. Even when wounded by His spear, we shall utter continually, 'Alas for me, for my coming will continue' (Psalm 119:5).

Certainly, the ultimate and supreme good is found in virtue, which alone yields the bountiful rewards of a joyful and fulfilling life. This joyful existence is not established through external or physical possessions but solely through virtue, which is the pathway to eternal life. The joyful life is derived from our current blessings, while eternal life represents the promise of future blessings.

Rachel, her eyes filled with tears, symbolizes the beauty found in spiritual reflection. When a person's heart is ignited with love for the beauty of the Divine and the Godhead, even if many years are devoted to challenging acts of devotion in pursuit of the ultimate joy of salvation, those years will be perceived as brief in His sight, because He cherishes what one strives for.