“And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?”
This verse is part of the narrative of Jacob’s journey to find a wife from his uncle Laban’s family. Jacob had fled from his home after deceiving his father Isaac and receiving the birthright and blessing meant for his older brother Esau.
In this verse, Laban addresses Jacob and questions him about the nature of his service. Laban acknowledges their family relationship, saying, “Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought?” Laban implies that Jacob should not be working without compensation, given their familial ties. He asks Jacob to specify what his wages should be.
This verse highlights an important aspect of relationships and fairness. Laban recognizes that it is not right for Jacob to serve him without receiving anything in return, even though they are family. Laban’s question serves as a reminder that relationships, even familial ones, should be characterized by fairness and reciprocity.
From a broader perspective, this verse can also be seen as a foreshadowing of Jacob’s future experiences with Laban. Jacob will end up serving Laban for twenty years, during which Laban will repeatedly take advantage of him. This verse foreshadows the tension and challenges that will arise in their relationship.
Overall, Genesis 29:15 highlights the importance of fairness and equitable treatment within relationships, even among family members. It serves as a reminder that we should strive for just and reciprocal interactions in all aspects of our lives.
