| Strengths Weaknesses & Mistakes LifeLessons |
| Rachel was the younger of Laban's daughters, she was very beautiful and greatly desired by Jacob. Little did she and Jacob know that there would be both a test of love and patience deeply engrossed in their romance. Jacob had worked seven years to win the right to marry her and then her father, Laban, gave Jacob her sister Leah. Knowing that her father had decieved them saying that it was customary to give the oldest daughter in marriage first must have a painful blow to all concerned, but Rachel held strong knowing that the man she loved would endure whatever it took. One week after he was forced to marry Leah, Rachel was finally allowed to marry Jacob and start her new life. Finding that her sister was giving Jacob sons and she was barren made her envious toward her sister. Rachel gave her servant girl to her husband and the servant born them a son. Rachel told Jacob,'Give me children, or I'll die!', Jacob said to her, 'Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?' So Jacob prayed that God would open her womb, and the Lord did! Rachel finally got pregnant and had a son. Then Rachel's servant had a second son, and Rachel said, 'I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won.' Rachel then birthed Joseph. When it was time for Jacob to return to his home land he packed up his family and left in secret in fear that Laban wouldn't let him take his family with him. While packing Rachel secretly stole her father's household gods. Laban persued Jacob and his for seven days before he caught them. He asked why they left in secret and Jacob explained, then Laban asked why they took his household gods. Jacob stated,' But if I find that anyone has your household gods he shall not live' ,'see for yourself if there is anything of yours here with me'. Laban didn't find his household gods because Rachel had hidden them in her camel's saddle that she was sitting on. Rachel was fiercely loyal toward her husband, but she let her loyalty interfere with her relationship with her sister and she felt she had to compete with Leah and fight for the love of Jacob, 'For he himself (Christ) is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.'{Ephesians 2:14} "Therefore if you are offering your gift at the alter and there remember that your brother (or sister) has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the alter. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.' {Matthew 5:23-24}. Rachel felt the love Jacob had for her was threatened by her sister, even though she really had his love from the first minute he saw her. But insecurity and doubt set up shop in her, her self-worth was hindered. When our self-worth is low it is important to look to God to reassure and encourage us, we have great value to Him, 'When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.' {Psalms 8:3-5} Why Rachel stole her father's household gods and then lied about having them is not certain, but we know it involves more than just taking, 'The Lord said to Moses: "If anyone sins and is unfaithful to the Lord by decieving his neighbor about something entrusted to him, or left in his care, or stolen ... or if he finds lost property and lies about it, or if he swears falsely, ... when he thus and becomes guilty, .. He must make restitution in full.." {Leviticus 6:1-7} |
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| Rachel |
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