Today’s Reading: Genesis 29-31, 35:16-29; Psalm 13
After having an incredible spiritual experience at Bethel, Jacob moved his family on toward Ephrath. His beloved Rachel was pregnant for the second time and she went into labor. Her pains were intense and the delivery was very hard. Finally she gave birth to a son and with her final breath named him Benoni, “son of my sorrow”, but Jacob called him Benjamin, “son of my right hand”.
A STORY OF LOVE
Rachel was the love of Jacob’s life. He first met Rachel when he arrived in Paddan-Aram. She was bringing her father’s flocks to the well, and Jacob moved the stone from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle’s flocks for her. Within a month, Jacob was asking to take her as his wife. He loved her so much that he agreed to work seven years in exchange for his bride. When his uncle deceived him and instead gave him her older sister, Leah, Jacob agreed to another seven years of labor in order to marry Rachel (Genesis 29).
Now loving Rachel did not mean that marriage came easy. Jacob now had two wives, and drama quickly followed. When she was still unable to have children after her sister Leah had already given birth to four sons, Rachel had a choice to make. She could draw close to God and trust Him with the desires of her heart, or she could let jealousy and pride guide her action. Rachel chose the latter.
Instead of WAITING FOR GOD’S PLAN IN GOD’S TIME, Rachel began to manipulate her circumstances to get what she wanted. She gave her servant to Jacob as a wife. Bilhah gave Jacob two sons and Rachel declared, “I have struggled hard with my sister, and I’m winning!” (Gen.30:8)
A STORY OF STRUGGLE
Apparently two can play at this competitive game because Leah gave her servant to Jacob and added two points to her score. Then the sisters began to barter for mandrakes, which were believed to aid in procreation. Again, Rachel was using manipulation and control to get what she wanted instead of going to the Giver of all good gifts.
Oh how I wish I could not relate to Rachel here! I wish I never had the tendency to panic and take things into my own hands, instead of trusting in God for provision! But unfortunately, I do see some of my own sinful habits reflected in the life of Rachel, so I lean in to glean wisdom from her story.
Leah gave birth to two more sons and a daughter, but Rachel remained barren. God eventually remembered Rachel in spite of her bitter heart, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son.
“God has removed my disgrace,” she said. And she named him Joseph, for she said, “May the Lord add yet another son to my family.” – Genesis 30:24
A STORY OF DISSATISFACTION
Even in the first moments of holding her newborn son, a gift from God, Rachel was already asking God for more. It wasn’t enough to be loved by Jacob and to have a son of her own, surrounded by the obvious blessings of God; Rachel wanted more. Instead of clinging to the God who had answered her prayer and provided her with a son, Rachel chose to worship false gods instead of the one true God.
GOD’S WILL, GOD’S WAY, in GOD’S TIME — a lesson Rachel never seemed to learn. She gave birth to a second son, but she was not given the opportunity to raise him. In her struggle to always get more from God, Rachel lost all she had and Jacob lost his first love. Jacob had just renewed his covenant relationship with God at Bethel and now he was burying his sweetheart. Jacob built another stone pillar, this time over Rachel’s grave (35:20). He gathered his large family together and continued on. Jacob could have chosen anger and bitterness at the loss of his wife right after recommitting his life to God, but he chose to accept GOD’S WILL, GOD’S WAY, in GOD’S TIME.
A STORY OF ACCEPTANCE
At times I find myself with this expectation that God should answer my prayers because I have served Him well, almost as if I deserve His blessings. I reject that kind of thinking, but sadly I often identify expectations in my heart that need to be disposed of. I have to let go of my sinful accusations and let God do things HIS WAY in HIS TIME. When I ask God WHY, I hear Him once again reply, “Trust me.”
But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. – Jeremiah 17:7-8
It’s all yours, Lord. Everything I want to manipulate and control – every situation, every unknown, every relationship, every heartache – it’s all yours. Thank you for the blessings you so generously pour out into my life each day. I praise you for all you allow in my life, both the good and the bad. TEACH ME THROUGH EVERY STRUGGLE and strengthen my faith in you. You are El Shaddai, God Almighty, and I trust you.
But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
I will sing to the Lord
because he is good to me. – Psalm 13:5-6