Jacob had two wives who represented two different orientations toward the world: obligation (Leah) and love (Rachael). For the sake of love, he lived and labored as a low level slave for 14 years; 7 years for obligation, and another 7 years for love. If he had not been laboring for love, he would not have found the dedication to labor for 7 years, much less 14.
His children were his rewards for what his labors of obligation and love yielded. Obligation yielded him 8 children, whereas love only yielded 4. Yet, of those 4, 2 were by Rachel herself (the other two were the progeny of her servant, Bilhah), and those two - Benjamin and Joseph - caused Israel to become integral to the Egyptian monarchy, and rise to great prominence and prosperity in the world during a time of great famine.
Sometimes it doesn't seem like our lives are going anywhere, and we constantly find ourselves reassessing our direction in life. But we meet our obligations and carry on because of those for whom we have love in our hearts.
God's promise for those who labor in love is ruler-ship and prosperity. Keep grinding on and fulfill your obligations for the sake of those you love. Don't give up.
