Genesis 29:1-30.   God is at work in the background of Jacob’s life, making sure that he stays with Laban long enough to cool down the anger of Esau, and so preserve Jacob’s life by his grace.  But God has not forgotten that Jacob had gained the birthright by deception.  So, he allows Jacob to be deceived in a similar manner.  Jacob wakes up with his new bride and discovers that it is the wrong sister.  No doubt it crossed his mind that not long ago he had pretended to be his brother in order to get what he wanted.  God remembered.

The Israelites in Moses’ day would read this passage and understand how it came to pass that the 12 tribes came from four different mothers.  They would also hopefully see that although God saves us by grace, there are consequences to sin in our lives.

LORD, we accept your grace and the total forgiveness you offer in Christ.  But we will not turn from you if you visit us with consequences of our past actions.