GOD'S WOMAN: What IS God Up To?
The story of sisters Leah and Rachel in the book of Genesis is well known. There was rivalry between Leah and Rachel that simply would not cease, and this article will attempt to highlight several worthy instructive aspects of the story. The focus is often placed more on studying the toil of Jacob. As we read about Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28, followed by his real life experiences, the typical reaction is to feel sorry for Jacob who was promised beautiful Rachel in marriage, but then suffered a wedding night switch to Rachel’s older sister Leah, after which he had to work over 20 years to pay for it all. However, in reality within the span of one week, the wedding week, Jacob was actually given both Leah and Rachel by their father Laban, and eventually their maid servants Zilpah and Bilhah respectively. The assumption from what we read throughout the Old Testament is that one man to multiple wives was a socially accepted practice of the time, which was not a bad deal for Jacob, and sympathy on a major scale is hardly warranted. An even more important issue for us to study closely is God’s unmerited favor upon two women who didn’t deserve it.
Leah was selfish. She knew the wedding night switch (Gen 29:23) was deceitful yet she did nothing to prevent it. Most likely, Leah knew that this was her one chance to obtain status within the tribal society, all based on how many children a woman bears. Leah was not at all concerned about whether or not Jacob would fall instantly in love with her. Her dignity came through bearing children. She could not have known her sons would be the forefathers of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Most likely Leah jumped at the chance to steal away the place of Rachel on the wedding night. Jacob probably was not amused and he didn’t love Leah, but he certainly didn’t send her away either. In Genesis 29:31 is says “When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, he enabled her to have children…” He poured favor upon Leah, though scripture never says she was sorry for her deceitful actions or that she even attempted to change her ways. Leah even stated that conception would surely cause Jacob to love her (Gen 29:32). Scripture does not reveal that God spoke to Leah about her role in bearing sons of importance therefore it is safe to assume Leah simply wanted to obtain status and be loved. It also says in verse 31 “but Rachel could not conceive.” It appears that God was holding out for a purpose not stated. This is a prime example of two individuals seeking the same result, one favored at the time, the other put on hold. God has purpose in managing the process this way and both Leah and Rachel are clueless.
When faced with challenging circumstances and answers seem to be on hold, are you able to step back and see the bigger picture of what God is doing? In what way do you sense God’s presence when you finally relinquish control over a situation? Proverbs 16:9 says, “We can make our own plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Often the plans we make, though with good intentions, ultimately need shifting in order to fulfill God’s intended purpose.
At this juncture in the story the rivalry heats up. Clearly Leah, who has now borne four sons for Jacob, has what Rachel wants and Rachel is desperate to gain the approval, the attention, and the affection of Jacob, as well as establish her status. Bearing his children is her only goal and she is prepared to manipulate the outcome. Again, scripture doesn’t state that God had instructed Rachel about her role of importance. But rather it conveys her pursuit to bypass Leah at any cost. In Rachel’s desperation she gives Jacob her maid servant, Bilhah, who does bear him two sons. Rachel claims the victory expressing that “God is vindicating me…” and “I’m winning” over Leah (Gen 30:6-8). This fueled Leah who didn’t back down and once again became desperate to lead in this competition. She offered Jacob her maid servant, Zilpah, who bore him two sons. Leah exclaims in Genesis 30:11-12, “How fortunate I am” and “What joy is mine! Now the other women will celebrate with me”. The attention is once again solely on Leah and her manipulative pursuit to be better than Rachel.
The rivalry peaks between these two sisters in Genesis 30:14-21, when Leah’s son Reuben finds mandrakes, of all plants, out amidst the grain fields. This aspect of the story is significant for several reasons. Mandrakes are a nightshade plant with purple and white flowers, a long, thick root, and possibly considered a weed. This plant stood out; it didn’t belong among the grain fields, and this young boy was intrigued with it. Scripture mentions it so it has to be important to the meaning of what we need to learn from this story. Leah knew full well the significance of this unusual plant as being associated with the superstitious belief that barren women could become fertile and conceive from consuming this plant. Leah certainly wasn’t barren having already born Jacob four sons and she would go on to bare more children. But Rachel, she was desperate to conceive and once again Leah had something she wanted – the mandrakes. Rachel bargained with Leah, offering to let her sleep with Jacob in exchange for the mandrakes, which she would consume hoping to become fertile. Remember, Leah was already married to Jacob, so getting to sleep with him wasn’t that big of a deal for her, yet Rachel was desperate and saw an opportunity. Leah took full advantage of Rachel’s desperation, and agreed to the exchange and even went on to tell Jacob that she “paid” for him with the mandrakes (Gen 30:16). After that, Leah went on to bear
Jacob two more sons and a daughter.
Can you recall a time in your life when you took control of your circumstances in a manipulative way? While there may have been instant resolution, did your soul feel uneasy and unsettled in the process? When we depend upon the Lord to answer all our questions and concerns, no matter how long it takes for Him to respond, we experience peace and joy. Jeremiah 29:11 say “For I know the plans I have for you” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Finally, Rachel had her turn. In Gen 30:22 is says “Then God remembered Rachel’s plight and answered her prayers by enabling her to have children.” This statement implies that God had forgotten. Yet everything we know about our loving, omnipresent, omniscient God speaks to the contrary. It is almost amusing to think that God might have been off focusing on something more important than this sister rivalry, when He “remembered” Rachel had a concern. But there is purpose in the struggle of this story, and comfort in knowing that God remembers us in all circumstances. In Gen 29:31 scripture points out that “Rachel could not conceive.” While it was obvious, the mention of this detail suggests God’s timing was important and here we see how perfectly God answers. Often when we finally receive an answer to a problem, we fail to stop and look at how God has orchestrated the process toward successful resolution. We’re just glad the issue is over. However, it is what God is doing in the process that grows us, strengthens us, and propels us in our relationship with Him. The process in this story was significant. From the beginning there was jealousy and rivalry. There was manipulation and selfish pursuit. Never is there mention of seeking God’s will, serving Him in all manner of living, or being content in every situation until resolution comes. It is possible that the tribal customs and family obligations of that day and time were so ingrained that women pursued their status at the expense of others. Both Leah and Rachel took control over this rivalry regardless of the potential consequences. In present day, rarely do we see scenarios like this in which the outcome is positive. Here is an example where Leah and Rachel received the blessings which they so desperately sought in spite of their manipulative and deceptive process. And Jacob was highly favored not just through the multitude of descendants he bore, and a prophecy fulfilled, but also through the material blessings he received for the diligent work he completed. It is humbling to think how God moves so purposely and exacting to correct our flawed attempts to take control over situations. This is why we must yield to His control in all things. God is constantly at work and there are spiritual issues going on which lend to the bigger picture that we cannot begin to comprehend.
The story continues through several more wrenching chapters, of secrecy, theft, deception, and separation eventually resulting in a treaty (Gen 31), with a sacrifice, a monument erected, and a boundary line! Laban remained fiercely protective of his daughters Leah and Rachel, though they had deceived and even stolen from him, and remained with Jacob. Eventually, Laban did relinquish Leah, Rachel, and all of his grandchildren to Jacob after making a covenant in Gen 31:48-55.
In modern times, we are often called upon either directly, or through circumstances, to stay the course through great difficulty without truly knowing the intended outcome. Jeremiah 10:23 states “I know, Lord, that our lives are not out own. We are not able to plan our own course.” Yet, our human nature is to plan, to work, and to commit to pursue a definite track which may or may not actually have the outcome we think will occur. In the process, our flawed abilities well up and often jumble the plan completely. But God, in His loving, omnipresent, omniscient state always comes through on time and according to His perfect will. Psalm 138:8 says “The Lord will work out his plans for my life – for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.”
Rarely do we know the far-reaching impact He makes through circumstances we deem hopeless. Our faith is deepened when we understand how all-encompassing the love of God is and how intricately He works. Life is difficult. To experience God moving through those difficulties renders a sweet fulfillment that diminishes all sorrow, strife, and pain. This is the promised power of the Holy Spirit. The challenge is to reside in that power, live, move and breathe in that power, and watch God work!
