Bilhah: Rueben’s mistake that cost him his blessing

Sometimes I wonder why the biblical authors wrote down the details of certain events and ignored others. The more I think about it, the more I come to the conclusion that, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29). Through inspiration, the authors even documented the mistakes of the people whose stories were connected to write God’s  bigger story. In essence, God does not pick just the righteous people but He is interested in building a relationship with even the downtrodden and those who have been declared “bad”. If God could make a great patriarch out of a deceiver and a thief (Jacob), could connect a harlot to the family line of Jesus (Rahab), could take a murderer and a stammerer and make him a saviour of a nation (Moses), could make doubtful person an apostle and evangelist (Thomas), among others, surely He can make something out of me. The women in the Bible series reveal to us the women whose lives contributed to the scriptures. These women were not the best in their days. They had their strengths and weaknesses, yet, God worked His story in their discombobulated stories. Today’s focus will be on a single verse in Genesis 35 that is mostly ignored but very important in the Bible. 

While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it. (Genesis 35:22a) 

Bilhah, Rachel’s servant who bore Jacob Dan and Naphtali, had an affair with Reuben,  Jacob’s first son. Genesis 35:22a quotes that,  “While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it.” This verse is not continued in subsequent passages in the chapter. The Bible author just dropped the bombshell; Reuben defiled his father’s bed by sleeping with Bilhah. Jacob heard of the incident and did not say a word about it. Was Bilhah coerced, or did she willingly agree to sleep with Rueben? Such details are not given. What we know is what happened. Bilhah and Reuben’s action is a disrespect to Jacob. Aside the incestuous acts, it was a total disgrace for Bilhah to engage in sexual intimacy with Reuben while Jacob was still alive. The fact that Jacob heard it and does not immediately react to it makes the incident more difficult to process. Both Bilhah and Reuben continued to live in the same house with Jacob and the rest of the family. The huge burden of guilt hung like an Albatross around their necks. The weight of the guilt and the shame it probably brought to them had to be a lifetime mark. Bilhah and Reuben’s act had future consequences. 

Before Jacob died, he blessed all his children. For Reuben, this is what he said: “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it.” (Genesis 49:3‭-‬4). Literally, Jacob cursed Reuben for the action done years ago. Bilhah might have heard of the curse too. Their age-old sin was reviewed on Jacob’s deathbed. The curse was laid on Reuben and no Reubenites could ever rise to the top in the history of the Israelites. No king, judge, priest ever came from the tribe of Rueben. The family also occupied a territory beyond Jordan when they moved to the promised land (Numbers 32:1-5). Reuben’s lack of control over his emotions (turbulent as the waters), led to an act that caused his descendants to lose a prominent place in Israel’s history. The only “popular” Reubenites, Datham and Abiram were rebel leaders and they died for inciting the people to sin (Numbers 16). Bilhah and Reuben’s mistake became a generational scare and we should learn from them to avoid a singular act that can deny us of a blissful future.

Before you do anything, consider the implications it would have in the future. You owe your descendants a blessing not a curse. Be intentional about avoiding sinful acts. One day with Bilhah or Reuben can cost a lifetime of regrets, pain, worry and disappointment. Look before you leap!

Dinah’s predicament: Defiled and dishonored

Dinah, Jacob’s only daughter, visited the women of the land and that resulted in another unfortunate incident. Dinah,  the only female among a male-dominated household, might have been a bit bored on the long journey back to Canaan. She was the only female in her age group within the convoy. Her mother Leah and her Auntie Rachel and their servants were not people she could easily share friendship with. Her brothers kept the sheep and were barely home. Thus, for the maiden, a new community with females her age seemed to be a good company for her. However, she did not count the cost of venturing into the land all alone. She probably did not perceive any evil from the people. She had always felt safe among her brothers and a visit to another place was just for her to have acquaintances. She might have left the family with high hopes and excitement, with an expectation to make new friends. Dinah was just an innocent lady who was excited to meet other women. She did not know that that single trip would change her life forever. If she had known, she wouldn’t have gone to visit the women of the land. 

Now Dinah, the daughter Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the women of the land. When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the ruler of that area, saw her, he took her and raped her. (Genesis 34:1‭-‬2)

Male dominance is not a new thing. It existed in the ancient world and still in some countries, women and girls still face challenges caused by hegemonic masculinity. Dinah had no clue that she would attract the most powerful young man on the land. Let’s look at Genesis 34:1-2; “Now Dinah, the daughter Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the women of the land. When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the ruler of that area, saw her, he took her and raped her.” The whole journey and the rape incident is summarized in two verses.  We are not given any indication that Dinah did anything that provoked the rape. Thus, Shechem, exercised his masculinity and raped Dinah for no apparent reason. Raping a virgin is humiliating and it brings dishonor to the lady. Virginity was highly upheld and a test of virginity was a necessity for newly consummated brides. In the 21st century,  most Western nations would look down on such a “ridiculous” marital requirement. However, there are still nations and communities that still have the marriage night proof of virginity test. Thus, Dinah would have missed the opportunity to take the virginity proof for her marriage. After raping Dinah, Shechem’s “heart was drawn to Dinah daughter of Jacob; he loved the young woman and spoke tenderly to her. And Shechem said to his father Hamor, “Get me this girl as my wife.” (Genesis 34:3‭-‬4).

The request might have seemed appropriate considering the shame of being raped, but Jacob’s sons were not excited about it. After deceiving the whole city to have all their males undergo circumcision just to release Dinah to them, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brother, did an evil deed. Genesis 34:25-26 states that “Three days later, while all of them were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords and attacked the unsuspecting city, killing every male. They put Hamor and his son Shechem to the sword and took Dinah from Shechem’s house and left.” Simeon and Levi’s action made the whole family obnoxious to the surrounding cities. Their revenge was overwhelming compared to the crime against their sister. They destroyed a whole city in anger. Dinah was rescued from Shechem’s house and that was the last thing we heard about Dinah. The Bible does not give additional information. It seemed that Dinah’s predicament affected her life. Did she ever marry? Did she have children? Did she suffer emotional trauma from the whole experience? 

Dinah visited the land with hopes and expectations. Her innocent visit led to a permanent emotional scare. She lost her dignity and pride in the process and caused a whole city to be destroyed. Years later, Jacob will comment on the instability of Simeon and Levi and how their anger led to the extermination of a whole community. Before we step out of the house  it is important to commit our ways to the Lord. Further, if we don’t learn to control our anger, our anger will always control us and put us into trouble. Dinah was defiled and dishonored and ultimately, her storyline ended. 

Rachel breathed her last

Jacob’s household was still in transit to Canaan when an unfortunate incident happened. So far, we have seen that Rachel and Leah and their two female servants gave birth for Jacob. The growing family faced their own growing challenges of hatred, envy, favouritism etc. that brought about tension between the individuals in the family. We have also seen that Jacob together with his wives, children and all that he had, left the house of Laban without informing Laban of their intention to leave. Rachel stole her father’s household gods and lied about it. Both Laban and Jacob were furious about the incident; Laban felt cheated and Jacob felt dishonored. Jacob laid a curse on the thief: “But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live.” (Genesis 31:32a). Through deception, Rachel was not caught and the family continued their journey to Canaan having a cursed thief in their midst. Rachel was pregnant again and this might have been extremely great times for her. She was expecting her second child after all the years of being childless.

And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, “Don’t despair, for you have another son.” As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin. (Genesis 35:17‭-‬18)

Rachel, the expectant mother would have received special attention while on the journey.  She would have been looking forward to meeting her second bundle of joy. Jacob fulfilled a vow he made to God and took his family to Bethel (House of God) where they built an altar for the Lord. “Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty” (Genesis 35:16). Rachel’s labour wasn’t an easy one. “And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, “Don’t despair, for you have another son.” As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin.” (Genesis 35:17‭-‬18). The death of Rachel might have been a big blow to the family. She was Jacob’s beloved wife and the mother of Joseph and the newborn son (Benjamin). Rachel’s pain at birth caused her to name her son Ben-Oni, meaning son of my trouble. The baby did not have any hand in Rachel’s troubles. Rachel’s deepest fear and deception led to her troubles. She stole her father’s household gods and the thief was cursed. Jacob, discerning the impact of names, quickly changed the name of the baby from Ben-Oni (son of my troubles) to Benjamin (son of my right hand).

The unfortunate twist in the lives of the people in Jacob’s household might have affected everyone. Rachel’s death was a big loss. She was loved, cherished and adored. She was Joseph’s favourite person and the mother of two little boys. A memorial pillar was set on Rachel’s tomb by Jacob. Now, Leah had to take the responsibility of running the household. She wasn’t loved, neither was she preferred. But, she became the one who led the household to Canaan. The twelve sons of Jacob became the foundation for the nation of Israel. Through the descendants of Leah’s son, Judah (meaning praise), God’s promise in Eden (Genesis 3:15) was fulfilled. The story of Rachel and Leah reminds us that God sees the future while we see from our very myopic purview. Rachel with all the love and attention still relied on household gods. On the other hand, the unloved wife became the source of God’s prophecy fulfillment. May we find fulfillment in God not in the idols in our lives. Rachel breathed her last and she was buried. At that instant, all her desires, worries, anxiety and fears went with her. While we live, we should take advantage of the time and live to please the Lord. 

Rachel’s idols

Who do you trust? All believers need to ask themselves this question each day. Sometimes, we get so caught up in our busy schedules that our lives get centered around our busyness. At other times, we tend to put our trust in the ‘mini gods’ of our lives. The gods of money, fame, wealth, pleasure, love, food, entertainment among others have taken the focus of many people away from God. Unfortunately, the subtlety of such idolatry sometimes makes us believe that we trust God. But, our faith lies in our possessions and the things that surround us. When it is time to move with God, we have to be intentional to let go of the gods of our past and cling on to God who is our present and future. According to Jesus, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24). Joshua threw a challenge for the Israelites: “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15).

When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household gods. (Genesis 31:19)

Rachel and Leah had similar experiences. They both lived under their father’s roof and obviously served their father’s gods until they were united with Jacob. After the years of living together,  we would expect them to follow Jacob’s God and put their trust in Him. The sisters knew God and even prayed to Him. God listened to them and gave them children. However, Rachel had not fully forsaken the gods of her fathers household. Jacob had an encounter with God and decided to leave back to his father’s land. He informed Rachel and Leah who both consented to leaving. But, Jacob fled from Laban, his father-in-law. He did not inform Laban of his intention to leave. Laban was not around when Jacob and the family fled. According to Genesis 31:19, “When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household gods.” Wait a minute! What does Rachel need those household gods for? Did those gods help her in any way? Why would she even consider stealing such gods when the family has been worshiping Yahweh? Did Rachel have fears that Yahweh, the God of Jacob, could not take care of her? Was Rachel into idolatry all this time? We might not have straight answers to some of these questions but what we know is that Rachel forsook God when she stole those idols. She did not need any ancestral gods but she failed to understand that her being married to Jacob meant that she had been translated from idolatry to the worship of God. For all the years, Rachel had secretly relied on household gods and articles. No wonder she could trade her husband for mandrakes!

Many believers have the Rachel mentality. We have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour but we still have fears that He might not be enough for us. Tentatively, we hold on to the idols of our past. We tend to rely on those things that bring us pain and worry. When you are saved, you are saved from all addictions, past sins, evil lifestyles, godless behaviour, etc. Rachel, like many of us, had no need for those household gods. In fact, she lied about not having them in her possession. Jacob unknowingly laid a curse on the person who stole the idols: “”But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it.” Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.” (Genesis 31:32). A thorough search was done but “Rachel had taken the household gods and put them inside her camel’s saddle and was sitting on them. Laban searched through everything in the tent but found nothing. Rachel said to her father, “Don’t be angry, my Lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence; I’m having my period.” So he searched but could not find the household gods.”” (Genesis 31:34‭-‬35). Rachel stole the gods and lied about it. Jacob was returning to Bethel (house of God) and Rachel was taking household gods to the House of God. Will Rachel accomplish her mission? 

Dear God, if I had carried any household gods of my past to the House of God, I ask for forgiveness. I denounce all household gods that have hijacked my destiny and made me susceptible to pain, fears, lies and deception.  I refuse to cross over with the baggage of the past. Have mercy on me and deliver me from sin and evil. In Jesus’ name I pray… Amen. 

Rachel’s testimony: God provided a son to take away her disgrace

The house of Jacob as we have studied, focusing on Rachel and Leah showed a disjointed family and the impact of favouritism. So, Leah and her servant  produced a total of eight sons and a daughter. On the other hand, Rachel’s servant, as at this time, had produced two sons. When we thought the whole story was about to fold up, God showed up again. God had been in this family drama by enabling Leah to conceive when God saw that Jacob does not love Leah. Rachel, the favourite one, continued the cycle of childlessness. We learned that God does not approve of favouritism. We also learned that deception of any kind has the likelihood to cause more harm than good. After years of sister rivalry, God stepped into the story again. The truth is, it is only when God steps into your story and makes it His story that you will experience a divine turnabout. As long as you want to remain the author of your own life’s story, you hardly experience the wonders and miracles of God. 

Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and enabled her to conceive. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said, “God has taken away my disgrace.” (Genesis 30:22‭-‬23)

Rachel had a difficult experience with childbearing and the experience made her bitter. However her story changed because God remembered her. Genesis 30:22-24 states that, “Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and enabled her to conceive. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said, “God has taken away my disgrace.” She named him Joseph, and said, “May the Lord add to me another son.” What a joy? After all the years that Rachel had been waiting to have a child, the Lord finally showed up. The joy in Rachel’s heart would have been contagious. Her son Joseph was no ordinary son. In the future, he would be a great person and save the world from famine. Joseph did not have an easy life. Just like his mum, he had to contend with his brothers until they finally got rid of him by selling him as a slave. Jacob once again became the source of Joseph’s woes. Jacob demonstrated favouritism towards Joseph just as he had shown towards Rachel and the result was far worse than we expected. For now, let’s celebrate with Rachel,  God has been gracious to her.

The story of Rachel reminds us to fully trust and rely on God for our life’s challenges. Rachel depended on Jacob to give her a child, she even contended for mandrakes to aid her to have a child. However,  it was when God showed up in Rachel’s life that Joseph was born. The birth of Joseph would have been a delight to Rachel and Jacob. Their love would have been ignited again.  Rachel’s deepest longing was met. As she looked into Joseph’s eyes, Rachel would have declared words of love and affection. I believe Rachel would have had great plans for her son. She was actually looking forward to having another son. When we look down on a man for help, we might be worn out by disappointment, delays, deceptions etc. However when we look up to God, He makes all things beautiful in His own time. His timing might not align with our timing but if we are steadfast and do not lose faith, God will show up big time for us.

I don’t know what your expectations are but I am trusting God for mind-blowing testimonies. May God answer us speedily and may we put our trust in Him to rescue, deliver and provide for us. He is Jehovah Jireh (Yahweh yireh): The Lord will provide… Hallelujah. 

Rachel and Leah: Rueben’s mandrakes

The house of Jacob was a tension house. Imagine the drama between Rachel camp and Leah’s camp, the rivalry,  the envy, the competition and possibly the desire to get Jacob’s attention. I am not sure how Jacob managed to get his head together in such a toxic environment but definitely, Jacob was not the happiest man in the world. Rachel and Leah’s daily lives would have been full of quarreling, arguments and bitter feelings. This was the state of Jacob’s family. For God to still use such a broken family for His own glory is a reminder that no one is too broken or too bad for God to use. Jacob continued to work for his father-in-law while his wives took care of the home. One day, Rueben, Leah’s first born son went to the fields “and found some mandrake plants, which he brought to his mother Leah. Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” But she said to her, “Wasn’t it enough that you took away my husband? Will you take my son’s mandrakes too?” “Very well,” Rachel said, “he can sleep with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.” (Genesis 30:14‭-‬15)

So when Jacob came in from the fields that evening, Leah went out to meet him. “You must sleep with me,” she said. “I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night. (Genesis 30:16)

What are the mandrakes used for and why did Rachel pay for the mandrakes with “a night with Jacob?” In the ancient world, mandrakes were used for different purposes including  enhancing romance and for fertility.  Therefore, Rachel’s request for the mandrakes seem to be appropriate since she was battling with childbearing issues. Leah also needed the mandrakes because after her fourth son, she ceased childbearing. However, since Jacob favoured Rachel over Leah, the payment for the mandrakes was a night with Jacob. Far away on the fields,  Jacob did not know of the transaction between Rachel and Leah. There was no cell phone to communicate this to Jacob. “So when Jacob came in from the fields that evening, Leah went out to meet him. “You must sleep with me,” she said. “I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night” (Genesis 30:16). Jacob had no choice, he might have had another plan for the evening but he was obliged to sleep with Leah. He had no choice in this transaction but he was the price for mandrakes. Imagine the joy in Leah’s heart and the pressure on Jacob to pay for Rachel’s mandrakes. Jacob’s family could have easily passed for a popular drama series. The plots of their lives were so complicated and viewers will be glued to know what next. Rueben’s mandrakes became Leah’s opportunity to sleep with Jacob and this is what happened:

“God listened to Leah, and she became pregnant and bore Jacob a fifth son. Then Leah said, “God has rewarded me for giving my servant to my husband.” So she named him Issachar. Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son. Then Leah said, “God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun. Some time later she gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah.(Genesis 30:17‭-‬21). Rachel was the one looking for the potency of the mandrakes but Leah who exchanged the mandrakes for Jacob had more babies. Did Leah pray to God? Why did vrs.17 begin with “God listened?” The one night with Jacob resulted in a son (Issachar) and later Leah had another son (Zebulun) and then a daughter (Dinah). All these while, Rachel remained childless except the two sons of her servant. Whenever I read these verses,  I am thrilled, God indeed has a good sense of humour. Why would Rachel receive all the love yet remain childless and Leah the unloved one receive all the babies? From another viewpoint, we see that both Rachel and Leah showed trust in the potency of the mandrakes to make one fertile. However, the Rachel who got the fertility plant did not even have a child, but Leah did.

As we study the lives of Rachel and Leah, we are reminded to put our trust in God and to look up to Him for our desires. We are also reminded that no matter our past story, God can still do something with us. Mandrakes are good but ultimately, God is the giver of the desires of our hearts. We should therefore take our attention from “the potency of mandrakes” and rather focus on “the power of God.” Is there anything too hard for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17; Luke 18:27).

Rachel and Leah: Bilhah and Zilpah joined the family drama

As a woman, I understand that we are very delicate and any home that considers the desires of the wife will thrive. In other words, when the wife is happy and satisfied, the home runs smoothly. However, as humans, we do not really need all that we want. Therefore a really happy wife means a lot of excesses that possibly the man doesn’t need will have to be accommodated. It is important for a woman to sieve her desires and cravings because not everything we wish to have are really necessary. If handling one wife comes with handling lots of excesses, imagine a polygamous home where the husband is committed to making all his wives happy and content. Rachel and Leah both had their issues and both felt the need to be satisfied accordingly. Jacob, the man at the center of all this drama had to deal with each wife and their requests. As the story of Rachel and Leah progressed,  we have seen that Rachel’s deepest longing is to have a child and Leah’s desire is to be loved by her husband. How can Jacob satisfy both? Let’s go back to the Bible and continue from there.

Then she said, “Here is Bilhah, my servant. Sleep with her so that she can bear children for me and I too can build a family through her.” When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. (Genesis 30:3‭, ‬9)

Rachel was desperate to have a child and like Sarah, her grandmother-in-law, she decided to give her servant to her husband. Rachel said to Jacob, “Here is Bilhah, my servant. Sleep with her so that she can bear children for me and I too can build a family through her.” So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife. Jacob slept with her, and she became pregnant and bore him a son. Then Rachel said, “God has vindicated me; he has listened to my plea and given me a son.” Because of this she named him Dan. Rachel’s servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. Then Rachel said, “I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won.” So she named him Naphtali.” (Genesis 30:3‭-‬8). This did not go well with Leah. “When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son. Then Leah said, “What good fortune!” So she named him Gad. Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. Then Leah said, “How happy I am! The women will call me happy.” So she named him Asher.” (Genesis 30:9‭-‬13). Jacob looks like the victim here, he was manipulated by his own wives to take on more wives and have more children. 

The drama in the house of Jacob was now intense. Rachel’s camp had two children and Leah’s camp had six children. Jacob was the man in the middle of this “baby-making business”. How was he managing his work life, family life and emotional state? Family feud of any kind is not good and it ends up draining all parties, causing disunity and grudge. The whole drama began with deception and favouritism that escalated to something else. When the Bible warns us against lies and favouritism, it is for our own good. Besides the right relationship we have with God when we eschew evil, we also have peace and tranquility in our lives when we live right. Each person has a role in the home to ensure peace and development. Envy, favouritism, hatred and bitterness are a good recipe for a “troubled home”. Imagine the heat and the tension when each one is against the other and each one in a competition with another in the same family. The children of such discombobulated homes carry the same mindset of their parents. How can the peace of God reign in such an atmosphere? One husband, four women… Jacob must have been a very busy man.

Imperfect people need a perfect God as their Saviour and that is why we all need God because we are not perfect. I pray that any home going through difficult times encounters the presence of God. Remember, only God can satisfy our deepest longings and desires. No person can give us what will permanently make us satisfied. Instead of worrying and nagging people for what we don’t have, we should work with what we have, and ask God for His provision for what we need. May the peace of God be with us all. 

Rachel and Leah: God joined the drama

Jacob’s decision to marry two sisters didn’t come without concerns. First, Rachel was the most loved wife and Leah wasn’t loved. Jacob repeated the mistake of his parents: favouritism. Jacob should have been more knowledgeable about the effects of favouritism and the consequences it brings. However, he was in love with Rachel but Leah was just “a mistake of a wife.” Imagine the joy in Rachel’s heart and the bitterness in Leah’s heart. It was a public display of favouritism and God was not pleased at all. If rivalry between two strange women can be sore, rivalry between two sisters who both feel cheated by their father is worse. Romans 2:11 states that, “God does not show favoritism” and James 2:9 also quotes that, “if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” Therefore, Jacob was not obeying God by favouring Rachel over Leah. Therefore God Himself joined the drama. 

When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless. (Genesis 29:31)

Remember, the biggest concerns of Jacob’s family had been childbirth. Sarah and Rebekah faced the issue of childlessness for years. When God stepped into the situation,  this is what happened: “When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless” (Genesis 29:31). God opened the door of childbirth for Leah. She escaped the familiar trend of childlessness but for Rachel, she remained childless. When you are loved by man, they do their best to make you happy, but when you are loved by God, He gives you the best of the land. Rachel had Jacob but was childless, Leah had God and she had it all. In a few years, Leah’s family grew bigger and Rachel remained the same. “Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now. She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too.” So she named him Simeon. Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi. She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children.” (Genesis 29:32‭-‬35).

Leah’s naming patterns remind me of traditional African communities where names are based on situations. Leah was obsessed with getting her husband’s attention that she missed God’s providence in her life. She kept naming her sons after her emotions. When she finally had the fourth son, Leah changed the naming pattern. She said “This time I will praise the Lord” and the child was named Judah. Indeed God deserved all her praise. While Leah escaped from the generational issue of barreness because God showed her mercy, Rachel lived in bitterness. She became envious of her sister and she kept nagging Jacob for a child. “When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!” Jacob became angry with her and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?” (Genesis 30:1‭-‬2). The drama in Jacob’s house was not pleasant and Jacob might have felt the heat of pain and bitterness. He had to live with it. The decision to marry two sisters and  the desire to show favouritism contributed to the heat in his home. 

If Jacob was pressed, imagine Rachel and Leah. The sisters might have been on serious loggerheads and daily, each would have tried to be the best. Rachel was loved but had no children, Leah wasn’t loved but had enough children. What is the next move of this broken family? Will God leave the drama? 
If there is any lesson to learn today, bear in mind that God does not show favoritism (Romans 2:11) and, if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers (James 2:9).

Rachel and Leah: Two sisters, one husband

Till date, memories of my wedding night remain intact. It was just a special moment with a special person and I believe most people have special memories of their wedding night. Imagine the months of preparation, the tiredness of the day and finally,  getting to relax together with your spouse. It is a serene experience. Even without electricity and light, the voice of your partner cannot be missed in the dark. However, someone got scammed on his wedding night and he received a different bride from what he worked for. Unfortunately, this man, obviously very drunk, didn’t even know that he had been deceived. His appetite to make love to his wife and the quest to enjoy his seven years of hard work, was so great that he failed to examine the package he received in the dark. The result was a very loud shout in the morning: “what are you doing here?” He might have shouted at his newly consummated bride. The very shy new wife, so shy to even raise her head, might have said in a low voice, “Please keep your voice down. We had a great night as a couple. If you have any issue, discuss it with my father. It was all his idea.”

But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?” (Genesis 29:23‭, ‬25)

This was the story of two sisters who became two wives in a week because of their father’s quest to deceive his own sister’s son. Jacob after seven years of working for Laban, requested to be given his bride. “So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her” (Genesis 29:22‭-‬23). Jacob was deceived and he didn’t know. “When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?” (Genesis 29:25). The very cunning Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.” (Genesis 29:26‭-‬27). Two wives in a week? These are two biological sisters who are different in their own ways. Jacob loved Rachel but Leah was not loved. What’s a family drama series? Was Jacob ready for the result of these inconvenient marriages? Anyway, let’s see what happens. So Jacob “finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.” (Genesis 29:28‭, ‬30).

The rivalry in Rachel and Leah’s home was caused by their own father in a bid to deceive Jacob. The two sisters had to contend for attention from the same man. Rachel was already the “Miss World” of Jacob. Her beauty fascinated Jacob and she was loved and adored. Leah on the other hand was the “wife who was not supposed to be” and she did not have a lovely figure to attract Jacob. In fact, Leah had “weak eyes” according to the Bible. In between this drama was Jacob, the man who deceived his brother and had been deceived by his uncle. Each of the daughters of Laban were given a female servant to serve. Therefore the camp of Rachel had Bilhah as the supporting staff and Leah had Zilpah. Indeed Laban’s plan worked very well but what he missed was that he set up his own children to hate one another.

Any home built on lies and deception is bound to go through a circle of issues. Marriage is work but being married to two sisters is extra hard work. The emotional and physical stress of each would have been poured on Jacob. As Jesus said in Luke 14:28, it is very important to count the cost before decisions are made. When we fail to count the cost  we are consumed by the demands of the project. If care is not taken, one part of the project receives more attention than the other. Jacob was in a dilemma. He thought he had seen it all, until children started coming into the marriage. Join me as we continue this tomorrow. 

Rachel: The beautiful one with a lovely figure

If there are commonalities between Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we could easily identify with lies, deception, and their love for beautiful women. Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was so beautiful that kings wanted to have her; Isaac lied about Rebekah because he thought her beauty would cause the men to kill him; and out of the two daughters of Laban (Jacob’s uncle), Jacob’s choice was the “fair” one. It looks like 21st century men are not the only ones who seem to be captivated by beauty. Even Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were captivated by beautiful women. Jacob escaped from his brother Esau to Harran. At the mere sight of Rachel, his uncle’s daughter, Jacob did the unthinkable: “When Jacob saw Rachel daughter of his uncle Laban, and Laban’s sheep, he went over and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle’s sheep” (Genesis 29:10). The shepherds were waiting “until all the flocks are gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep” (Genesis 29:8). But, at the sight of Rachel, Jacob singlehandedly rolled the stone.

Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.” (Genesis 29:17-18)

Rachel seemed to be a hardworking young lady as she took care of the sheep. Shepherding did not affect her physical appearance. Even in the midst of the sheep, her presence was still breathtaking. Laban asked Jacob for his preferred wage and Jacob did a critical analysis of the situation and this was his recommendation: “Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.” (Genesis 29:16‭-‬18). What! That is such a long time to work just to be given a wife. “So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her” (Genesis 29:20). I am not sure how Rachel felt in those seven years knowing that someone was working just to marry her. Isaac had gotten Rebekah on a silver platter. He was not even there when the deal was struck. Jacob’s case was different. He had to escape his father’s house because of a deception and he had no gift and neither did he carry an entourage like the entourage that went to marry Rebekah for Isaac.

Rachel might have felt so special. She is the love of Jacob, the man who is willing to work for seven years just to marry her. The feeling might have been very good. Looking on each day at these lovebirds would be Leah, the elder sister of Rachel. She didn’t have a lovely figure and she had weak eyes. Leah was not as attractive as Rachel. For very obvious reasons, Jacob’s preference was Rachel. After seven years, Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her” (Genesis 29:21). This is where the drama begins: Jacob the certified deceiver, had no idea that Laban was himself a deceiver too. We shall continue this tomorrow. Looking forward to her wedding night was Rachel, the lady who had waited for seven years to be with the man of her dreams. The impatient Jacob couldn’t wait to make love to his trophy wife. Seven years of labour seemed like a day. Let’s go and prepare for the ceremony. Rachel is ready, Jacob is ready but Laban had a plan. 

Rachel reminds us of those lifelong cravings that give us sleeplessness. That one thing that you ever wanted and you are ready to do everything just to have it. The insatiable desire that can only be filled by exactly what you want. Sometimes, we wish for so much that we forget that God can satisfy our deepest longings. Rachel was beautiful and had a lovely figure. She was the choice of Jacob. Was she the choice of God?