HELP, I MARRIED THE WRONG SISTER!

HELP, I MARRIED THE WRONG SISTER!

Read: Gen 29:15-31

I. HOW COULD JACOB POSSIBLY MARRY THE WRONG SISTER?

A. Raises Lots Of Questions

1. Was it really that dark at night? / Did she have a bag over her head?
2. Was Jacob simply drunk at the wedding?

B. Custom Practiced During Some Jewish Weddings Today

1. The "bedeken" (the "veiling"), Before wedding ceremony, groom goes to room where bride is sitting, and he covers her face with a veil.
2. Her face remains covered during the entire ceremony.
3. Weird commemoration of event that occurred during Jacob's wedding

C. We May Never Know How He Could Possibly Been So Deceived
But … Possible Lessons/Applications From The “Wrong Sister Soap” Opera

1. What goes around comes around – trickster gets tricked
2. Don’t marry anyone with a bag over their head

D. Lesson/Application I’ve Never Heard Preached Before

1. When 2 people get married, do they really know who they’ve married?
a. husbands, ever wake up and ask, “Who have I married?”
b. wives, ever wake up and ask, “Who have I married?”
2. She is your sister / brother in Christ, but at some point everyone cries
“Help, I married the wrong sister!” / “Help, I married wrong brother!”

II. IN SWEETHEART YOU PLEDGE FOREVER TO, THERE IS INEVITABLY THE “RACHEL DIMENSION” AND THE “LEAH DIMENSION”

A. The Two Dimensions

1. Rachel’s name meant “ewe” – lamb - serene, lovable, gentle, peaceable
a. Rachel is described as the “shapely and beautiful sister" (v. 17)
b. embodies attractive, charming & romantic parts of our spouse
2. Leah – described as “weak-eyed sister” (v. 17) - weakened from tears
a. continuous & exhausting struggle to find love
b. her name meant: "one who is weary"
c. represents elements in our spouse that are more complicated, perplexing and wearisome
d. cultures today, her name means “highly exalted, glad-tidings” and even “house of the rising sun”
e. but for Jacob instead of “good news” – she was “bad news”
-instead of “house of rising sun” – house of “cloudy day”
-instead of “highly exalted” – it was “high maintenance”

B. The Drama At Jacob’s Wedding Occurs In Most Every Wedding / Marriage

1. You think that you are marrying Rachel – perfect girl/guy of your dreams
2. But in reality, you are bound to discover that you also married Leah –
a. anything but your dream pick - very imperfect human being
b. possessing layers of unresolved wounds and tension
c. difficult person - brings you tears and anxiety and heartbreak
3. “Help, I Married The Wrong Sister!”
4. Concrete – Amber, “Oh my God, I’ve married a 2 year old”

III. WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU EVER GET MARRIED?

A. Don’t Get In Any Hurry – Be friends, disclosure, time, fight & argue
** Successful engagement doesn’t always lead to the wedding altar

B. Four (4) Sure-Fire Ways To Marry The Wrong Sister

1. Pick someone you expect to change after you’re married
a. people do change after their married – usually for the worst
b. if you can&