This is a very interesting family story of love. The story has a lot of twists and bends to it. We see how a beautiful love story can turn sour or near sour when God is not fully involved.
There is a lot of wisdom to glean from this amazing true-life story.
The wisdom therein is to be a lesson for us not to fall into the same error and mistakes they fell into.
Our text is Genesis 29 & 30.
First, we see Jacob the covenant seed of Abraham running away from his father's house because he had tricked his father Isaac and taken the blessing of the firstborn belonging to Esau.
He came to sojourn in Laban's house. He came with nothing and then served Laban faithfully. He fell in love genuinely with Rachel and it was recorded as such.
I think when we genuinely love our spouse heaven recognizes it and records it.
But falling in love and genuinely loving our spouse is not enough. There are other forces to contend with in warfare in other to birth our destiny.
Jacob was to serve 7 years for Rachel but he was tricked into marrying Leah first. A marriage he never planned nor wanted.
Some things happen to us because of the seeds we sowed in the past.
Jacob had to serve another 7years (a total of 14years) to marry his heartthrob.
Gen 29: 31-32
"Now when the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He made her able to bear children, but Rachel was barren.
Leah conceived and gave birth to a son and named him Reuben (See, a son!), for she said, “Because the Lord has seen my humiliation and suffering; now my husband will love me [since I have given him a son].”
We see Leah being hated and treated with contempt, the bible says Leah's was able to conceive while Rachel womb was shut.
God is a righteous judge who judges with fairness. Leah must have been treated very badly and humiliated. She must have cried a lot most nights and God defended her. She bore 4 sons for Jacob while Rachel didn't have any.
Jacob should have called Rachel to order about her jealousy, bitterness, and envy, especially since Leah was not the cause of her being married to Jacob.
Remember, giving birth was part of fulfilling their destiny because the children were to be the founding fathers of the Israelite nation.
Gen 30:1-2
When Rachel saw that she conceived no children for Jacob, she envied her sister, and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I will die.”
Then Jacob became furious with Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has denied you children?”
These verses reveal a lot of things. I thought Jacob loved Rachel. Unlike Isaac, who according to the bible, interceded for Rebekah, and God heard him and opened her womb.
Jacob loved Rachel but couldn't take her issues before God. He was less concerned.
As wives, we must learn to know God by ourselves. God only shut her womb and he can open it.
Rather than allow envy, bitterness, and unforgiveness to steal her years of fruitfulness, Rachel should have gone to God in prayers, seeking His face and turning her pain into gain. She was a baby Christian, one who was carnally minded.
Rachel was later to die.
Then they journeyed from Bethel; and when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath (Bethlehem), Rachel began to give birth and had difficulty and suffered severely.
Genesis 35:16 AMP
Why did she die while fulfilling destiny? She gave birth to 2 sons who eventually were better than 10sons.
Be a praying woman, wife, and mother. God is no respecter of persons but honor those who honor Him.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I will not die before my time. I will fulfill my purpose here on earth.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Oh Lord, take away all forms of bitterness in me.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Gen 29: 31-32
"Now when the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He made her able to bear children, but Rachel was barren.
Leah conceived and gave birth to a son and named him Reuben (See, a son!), for she said, “Because the Lord has seen my humiliation and suffering; now my husband will love me [since I have given him a son].”
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Are you angry or bitter against your spouse, friend, or colleague? Make amends today.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Gen 29-30
