Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

substituting Leah for Rachel. The fact that Leah herself cooperated
in the cheat caused Jacob to feel that he could not love her. Angrily
he rebuked Laban, who then offered him Rachel for another seven
years' service. But Laban insisted that Leah should not be discarded.
This placed Jacob in a most painful and trying position, but he
finally agreed; he would keep Leah and marry Rachel. Rachel was
always the one he loved best, but his life was made bitter by the
rivalry between the sister-wives.
For twenty years Jacob stayed in Mesopotamia working for
Laban, who was determined to keep for himself all the benefits of
their connection. He demanded fourteen years of toil for his two
daughters, and during the remaining period Jacob's wages were
changed ten times.
Yet Jacob's service was diligent and faithful. During some parts
of the year it was necessary for him to be constantly with the flocks
in the fields, to guard them in the dry season against perishing from
thirst, and during the coldest months from becoming chilled with
heavy night frosts. Jacob was the chief shepherd; the servants in his
employ were the undershepherds. If any of the sheep were missing,
the chief shepherd suffered the loss, and he called the servants to a
strict account if the flock was not flourishing.
We Have a Faithful Shepherd
The shepherd's life of care-taking and compassion for the
helpless creatures illustrates some precious truths of the gospel.
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