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

We do not excuse Laban for his dishonesty, but we scruple not to learn from the custom which he quoted as his excuse. There are some things which must be taken in order, and if we would win the second we must secure the first. The second may be the more lovely in our eyes, but the rule of the heavenly country must stand, and the elder must be married first. For instance, many men desire the beautiful and well-favoured Rachel of joy and peace in believing, but they must first be wedded to the tender-eyed Leah of repentance. Every one falls in love with happiness, and many would cheerfully serve twice seven years to enjoy it, but according to the rule of the Lord’s kingdom, the Leah of real holiness must be beloved of 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 sayest thou, art thou so vain as to hope to break through
the heavenly rule? Dost thou hope for reward without labour, or honour
without toil? Dismiss the idle expectation, and be content to take the
ill-favoured things for the sake of the sweet love of Jesus, which will
recompense thee for all. In such a spirit, labouring and suffering, thou wilt
find bitters grow sweet, and hard things easy. Like Jacob, thy years of
service will seem unto thee but a few days for the love thou hast to Jesus;
and when the dear hour of the wedding feast shall come, all thy toils shall
be as though they had never been — an hour with Jesus will make up for
ages of pain and labour.

Jesus, to win Thyself so fair, Thy cross I will with gladness bear: Since so the rules of heaven ordain, The first I’ll wed the next to gain.

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Producer: Todd Adkins
Voice Artist: Ian Cullen