Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

pay for a wife--they were permitted to work for the father whose
daughter they loved. The length of time was regulated by the value
of the dowry required. When the man was faithful and proved
worthy, he obtained the daughter as his wife.
Generally the dowry that the father received was given to the
daughter at her marriage. In the case of both Rachel and Leah,
however, Laban selfishly kept the dowry that should have been
given them. They referred to this when they said, just before they
left Mesopotamia, "He has sold us, and also completely consumed
our money."
Requiring the suitor to render service to secure his bride
prevented a hasty marriage. There was opportunity to test the depth
of his affections as well as his ability to provide for a family. In our
time it is often the case that persons have little opportunity before
marriage to become acquainted with each other's habits and
disposition. They are practically strangers when they unite their
lives at the altar. Many find, too late, that they are not adapted to
each other, and lifelong misery is the result. Often the wife and
children suffer from the laziness or vices of the husband and father.
If the character of the suitor had been tested before marriage
according to the ancient custom, great unhappiness might have been
prevented.
Jacob gave seven years of faithful service for Rachel, and the
years that he served "seemed only a few days to him because of the
love he had for her." But selfish Laban practiced a cruel deception in
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