Have you ever felt envy towards someone? The kind of jealousy that makes you act ridiculous? Proverbs 27:4 reads, “Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous.” I know I have done foolish things because of jealousy. It is consuming.
Our reading begins with Rachel’s envy towards her sister Leah. Rachel was obviously the one Jacob loved the most but Leah was being blessed with children. Can you imagine the constant tension in this family? Instead of seeking the Lord, Rachel looks to Jacob to rescue her from her own misery, and then she uses one the old tricks of sending in the maidservant. The competition heated up after this. I am so thankful that God uses our mistakes for the good. Aren’t you? Oh and what are mandrakes?
God did hear Rachel in her desire to have a child and she conceived. After Joseph was born to Rachel, Jacob had decided to head back to his homeland. Jacob had worked for his father-in-law for 20 years and his payment was Leah, Rachel and all the speckled and spotted or black goats and sheep. Laban didn’t want him to leave mostly because of how prosperous he had become with Jacob. So after God had increased Jacob’s flocks and herds Jacob decided to leave in secret. When he told Leah and Rachel about his plan they agreed to go. They took with them all that belonged to Jacob except Rachel stashed her father’s household gods. After three days Laban realized Jacob and his family had left and Laban went after them. God warned Laban in a dream not to harm Jacob, after-all God told Jacob to go. Laban still confronts Jacob and asks why he left in secret and why did he steal his gods. This angered Jacob to be accused of taking the gods. After Laban searched the tents and did not find them (Rachel hid them), Laban proposes a covenant of friendship between them. They erected a pillar and heap of stones to represent their convenant. “Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left and returned home.” Gen. 31:55
The competition of having children was serious business, but mandrakes weren't the reason women conceived....the Lord God was...and IS. I love the words in verse 27 of chapter 30, where Laban recognizes that the reason his family and flocks have been so blessed is because of Jacob. When you follow the Lord, and when you seek His wisdom, the blessings flow to those around you....even the non-believers benefit! Now, that's something to think about today, friends.
ReplyDeleteI want so much to walk in complete faith in the Lord. I have seen many examples in His Word how He directs the path of the righteous and blesses obedience. The discouragement comes from so many influences surrounding me that have other ideas about the way things should be done. They can make very convincing arguments. For this reason alone should be incentive enough to keep my face off the world (other gods) and looking to Him. Which requires staying focused on the Word of God.
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting to me that Rachel took her father's gods with her when she left. Why did she do that? What was her motivation? Was it just a piece of home she was taking with her? Intriguing! Ladies, you just continue to amaze me with your insights...and we are not even done with Genesis yet!!!
ReplyDeleteI think it's obvious that after 20 years of living in very close proximity and working together, Jacob and Laban did not trust each other and were led to establish a covenant. I think their lack of trust is understandable. Jacob probably never trusted Laban again after he received Leah instead of Rachel. Laban's gods were missing at the exact time Jacob and his family left. I also wonder if Laban figured out how Jacob was building his flock of speckled and spotted animals. I pray that my words and actions are honest and trustworthy!
ReplyDeleteDON'T YOU JUST WONDER WHAT WOMEN IN HER RIGHT MIND WOULD TELL HER HUSBAND TO SLEEP WITH ANOTHER WOMEN AND ANOTHER AND ANOTHER. I JUST WONDER IF JACOB EVER SAID I HAVE A HEADACHE. WHAT AMAZES ME IS THAT THESE ARE THE 12 TRIBES THAT GOD USED THEIR NAMES.
ReplyDeleteTHE SPECKLED SHEEP AND GOATS AMAZE ME ALSO. HOW DID HE COME UP WITH THE PIECES OF WOOD IN THE WATER. MY PERSONAL THOUGHT IS IT WAS GOD NOT THE WOOD. SO WE DON'T NEED TO ARRANGE OUR HUSBAND SLEEPING WITH OTHER WOMEN OR PUTTING WOOD IN FRONT OF OUR ANIMALS WE JUST NEED GOD.
GOOD NITE
Still wondering what a mandrake is?? I googled it because I was quite curious and it drives me crazy to read scripture and just ignore something I have never hear of. So anyway it was quite interesting what I found. Adds a certain level of humor to why Rachel "begged" for it. SMILE:)
ReplyDeleteI was at an Above Rubies conference one time where this passage was discussed. The mandrake was explained as a highly sought after plant.....it was believed to increase fertility, and women would literally fight over it. Some thought it was the alluring fragrance, others thought to actually eat it would increase a woman's chances of becoming pregnant. Either way, it is obvious in this passage, that mandrakes didn't work for Rachel this time. God visited Leah's womb that night.
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