Genesis 29:1-30 - It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

God will often mercifully restrict the amount of negative consequences we experience when we have made foolish or even sinful choices. At the same time, just because we haven't yet experienced any negative consequences from a foolish or sinful choice, we are unwise to think that such consequences won't come. They often do, and they may last much longer than we think they will, perhaps even for the rest of our lives. 

Jacob experienced a great period of joy and prosperity working for his uncle Laban toward marrying Rachel. Then his uncle's deception shattered those peaceful, joyful times, and truly left Jacob with consequences--stored up from his own deception of his brother and father--that would last him the rest of his life. 

Additionally, Jacob, like his forefathers before him, and like many of the nation of Israel after him, was working for the peace and prosperity of the family and land where he was placed. 

We too are called to work for the peace and prosperity of the land where we are placed, even though, like so many of the faithful, we are longing for a better country, a heavenly one.