04.06.06
Leah and Rachel
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
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
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
1. FAMILY
2. HEALTH
3. JOB
03.24.06
Martha and Mary_March 22,2006
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42
Mary and Martha are sisters that both loved and worshipped Jesus. When they found out that he was in town they both must have been very excited to have this man that had been preaching all over the countryside here in their presence. Yet, their priorities were very different. Martha wanted Jesus to be comfortable and well fed. Mary wanted to do nothing but sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to anything he had to say. Both qualities were of value, yet one was ‘better’ than the other.
I myself, find that I am much more of a ‘Martha.’ If we all had the heart of Mary, and even of King David we would be so much better off.
“My sould finds rest in God alone;
My salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
Psalm 62:1-2
Later we find yet again another instance where Mary shows great devotion to the Lord. Read John 12:1-8. Jesus says very prophetic words ~ “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” Whether poor financially or poor in spirit, it does not matter. There will always be poor people among us. We must be determined to want to change the world for Jesus’ sake.
Let Your Light Shine
No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowel. Instead he puts it on its stand that those who come in may see the light.
Luke 11:33
How crazy is that for Mary to spend a years wages on the Lord??? Today that would be about $40,000 to $60,000 a person. Could you imagine? Again, Mary just demonstrates to us how much we need to value a relationship with God.
While these things are good, they are not the ‘better’ things. Do not sacrafice your times with God while searching for fulfillment in these other areas. Mark 12:33.
