The story of Jacob, Rachel and Leah [Genesis 29] is well-known to many for the fact that Jacob, who was in love with Rachel was tricked into marrying Leah as it was customary in those days for the eldest to be married off before the youngest. However, perhaps there is more to the story than that. Both sisters have a deep desire: Leah wants to be loved by Jacob in the way that he loves Rachel; and Rachel – for a very long time – wants to have children but cannot.
In both of these women, we see comparison taking place; each one jealous of the other for something that they cannot have instead of appreciating what they do have.
It is only when Leah has her son Judah, where she promises to praise the Lord, that she finds contentment in who she is in Jesus. She realises the love she’s longing for, Jesus freely gives her.
But what about Rachel?
In Genesis 30, we find the answer in verses 1-2. She pleads with Jacob to give her children; but it is Jacob’s answer that perhaps we need to pay close attention to. In verse 2, he says in response to her cry,
“Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”
What a statement!
Are we putting the one(s) we love – whether that be someone we love [spouse, partner, crush, child, position, money] – in the place of Almighty God?
God sees our hearts and He wants all of it.
And He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind…
[Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27].
Trust in the Lord with ALL of your heart
and lean not on your own understanding…
[Proverbs 3:5]
Leah wanted Jacob and was left short until she realised that God is the only one who could provide all of her needs. Rachel wanted children (and even though she begs Jacob to sleep with others); it is only when God remembered her desire [Genesis 30:22] that Rachel found herself with the child she so desperately longed for.
God will often let us do what we want to do until we get to a place where we realize that our way is not working and His way will.
Give Him your desire.
Trust Him with it.
Don’t try to ‘play’ God; you will never know His ways – they are higher [Isaiah 55:8-9].
He is faithful and will give you your desires in His perfect time.
But seek Ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
[Matthew 6:33]
Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
[Ecclesiastes 3:11]
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~ © Lovecame4u ~
** This post, written by Denise Stephanee, is also featured on her website.
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