04.06.06

Leah and Rachel

Posted in WEDNESDAY WONDERS at 5:33 p04 by rosebearry

Due April 5th

Read Genesis 29:14b-30:24
Genesis 35:16-18

It was customary for the oldest daughter to marry first. Laban knew that Jacob would not be willing to marry Leah because of his great love for Rachel.
So, after much partying all night, where Jacob probably got a little tipsy, Laban sent Leah into Jacob's tent, and he did not realize the dirty trick played on him until morning. A very fitting trick for someone who had stolen his older brothers birthright (Read Gen. 27:1-28:9).

Now let us look at the dynamic of the sisters relationship. Women at that time lived to have children. Their children were their pride and joy. Much of their self-worth came from the amount of children they bore to their husband. God had compassion on Leah who was not loved by her husband.

Under three things the earth trembles,
under four it cannot bear up:
a servant who becomes king,
a fool who is full of food,
an unloved woman who is married,
and a maidservant who displaces her mistress.
Proverbs 30:21-23

  • What was the attitude of the sisters as they had their children? What was the difference between the two?
  • Who relied on God more? Who gave praise to God for her blessings?
  • LEAH SEEMED TO THINK THAT THE MORE CHILDREN SHE HAD WOULD MAKE JACOB LOVE HER. 
  •  RACHEL WAS JEALOUS OF LEAH BECAUSE SHE DID NOT HAVE ANY CHILDREN.  SHE HAD A MAID TO SLEEP WITH JACOB SO THAT SHE COULD HAVE CHILDREN TOO.

    • SEEING THIS LEAH HAD HERE MAID TO SLEEP WITH JACOB.

     GOD ALSO OPENED RACHEL'S WOUND AND SHE GAVE BIRTH TO JOSEPH AND BENJAMIN, BUT DIED IN CHILDBIRTH WITH BENJAMIN.

    JACOB CLEARLY LOVED LOVED RACHEL MORE THAN HE DID LEAH, AND UNFORTUNATELY CAUSED PROBLEMS

     IT SEEMED  LEAH AND RACHEL WERE TRYING TO OUT DO EACH OTHER IN HAVING CHILDREN.  LEAH THINKING THAT MAY BE JACOB WOULD LOVE IF SHE GAVE HIM CHILDREN AND RACHEL, PERHAPS THINKING, HE WOULD STILL LOVE HER THE BEST IF SHE GAVE HIM CHILDREN 

    LEAH SEEMED TO RELY ON GOD AND GIVE  MORE PRAISE THAN RACHEL 

  • 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!" Gen. 30:1
    Yet, even after God gave Rachel what she wanted she was unsatisfied ~ Genesis 30:22-24.Rachel lived a very bitter life and in the end she died in childbirth having the children that she so desperately wanted.Excercise in gratitude and praise
    Be joyful always;
    pray continually;
    give thanks in all circumstances,
    for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ. I Thessalonians 5:16-18
  • Name three (3) things in your life that you are thankful for. Now, through prayer, give praise to God.

    • 1. FAMILY

    2. HEALTH

    3. JOB