Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah's eyes were weak but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. Genesis 29:16-17

Often people tell me the Bible was written for people who lived long ago. Too often they tell me that Scriptures have no connection to modern life.

Well, it's just not so.

As proof, I refer to one of the stories of the Old Testament, which most people probably think could never have anything to say to our age. I'm speaking of the story of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah. You remember the story -- how Jacob worked to marry pretty Rachel and how Rachel's father, Laban, substituted plain Leah for Rachel. Jacob got really angry at that trick.

Well, an Arab ambassador in Dubai has just had his marriage annulled.

Why? It seems every time he had met his betrothed she had kept her head down and warn a niqab, a veil which covers the face right up to the eyes. Of course, the ambassador knew what his intended looked like: he had seen her picture. As far as her not looking at him, well, he thought he had a humble, old-fashioned, modest girl.

So what happened? The ambassador, after the marriage contract had been signed, wanted to kiss his spouse. She took off the veil, and he found she was cross-eyed and had a beard.

And how did this happen? The girl's parents had shown the ambassador photographs of his bride's sister. In short, Laban's fool-the-groom-by-switching-the-sisters-trick is still alive and well.

You know there is another thing you read about in the Bible that is also applicable to our age: Jesus Christ's work to seek and to save sinners.

Satan tempts us with all manner of old sins dressed up in new packages; our flesh is still victim to all kinds of worldly temptations, and death is still the ultimate ending for unsaved sinners.

This is why we still need Jesus. We still need a Savior who has the love to save sinful humanity. We still must believe on this Savior if we are to be rescued from sin, death, and devil.

I know it may sound old-fashioned. It is.

But Jesus is still the only Savior who can redeem us from our old-time enemies.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord and Savior, You know better than anyone else there is nothing new under the sun. Our enemies are old; our sins are old; our need of salvation is just as old. For being willing to offer Yourself as our Substitute I offer my thanks. May that thanks be new and fresh every day. In Your Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 90    Leviticus 1-2    Mark 5:1-20

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