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Morning and Evening

November 14, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn." — Genesis 29:26 · KJV

We do not excuse Laban for his dishonesty, but we need not hesitate to learn from the custom he quoted as his excuse. There are some things that must be taken in order, and if we would win the second, we must first secure the first. The second may be lovelier in our eyes, but the rule of the heavenly country must stand: the elder must be married first. For instance, many men desire the beautiful, well-favored Rachel of joy and peace in believing, but they must first be wedded to the tender-eyed Leah of repentance. Everyone falls in love with happiness, and many would cheerfully serve twice seven years to enjoy it; but by the rule of the Lord's kingdom, the Leah of real holiness must be loved by our soul before the Rachel of true happiness can be attained. Heaven stands not first but second, and only by persevering to the end can we win a portion in it. The cross must be carried before the crown can be worn; we must follow our Lord in His humiliation, or we shall never rest with Him in glory. My soul, what do you say — are you so vain as to hope to break through the heavenly rule? Do you hope for reward without labor, or honor without toil? Dismiss the idle expectation, and be content to take the ill-favored things for the sake of the sweet love of Jesus, which will repay you for all. In such a spirit, laboring and suffering, you will find bitters grow sweet, and hard things easy. Like Jacob, your years of service will seem to you but a few days, for the love you bear to Jesus; and when the dear hour of the wedding feast comes, all your toils will be as though they had never been — an hour with Jesus will make up for ages of pain and labor. Jesus, to win You, so fair, I will gladly bear Your cross; since so the rules of heaven ordain, I will wed the first to gain the next.