Rachel

Adapted from the Bible Study: She, delighting in the examples of the women of the Bible, pp 43-44

Today’s Scripture: Genesis 30 & 35 and 2 Corinthians 4:17

 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

2 Corinthians 4:17

A Season of Barrenness

In our previous post we looked at the life of Leah, Rachel’s older sister, who was:

• deceitfully given in marriage to the man Rachel was promised to
• delivered six sons to Jacob, while Rachel remained barren

As today’s study journal points out, Rachel was much like Sarah, Jacob’s grandmother, who took matters into her own hands rather than waiting on the Lord to provide, Genesis 30:3-6. Because of this she ended up with tow sons by Bilah, her handmaiden.

Rachel was the one whom Jacob loved, yet she had not bare him any children.

She, delighting in the examples of the women of the Bible, p43

Friends, like Rachel, I have experienced barrenness. For eight long years, I longed for a child. For eight long years I waited – patiently at first, but over the years patience turned to impatience, bitterness toward God and resentment of any of my friends (and for that matter strangers) who became pregnant before me . Bitterness turned to anger, and anger resulted in a broken relationship with God and the alienation/loss of once treasured friends; and yes, like Rachel, I blamed and resented my husband. Little did I know that God was using all of the brokenness through these eight long years to lead me right where He wanted me to be – slowly but surely to the way of restoration and blessing. First with Him, then with friendships – old and new – and eventually to the daughters I would bear.

“after that trial of waiting, God remembered Rachel and gave her children.” ¹

Rachel gave birth to Joseph, and died shortly after giving birth to Benjamin, the last of Jacob’s sons.

Rachel serves as an example that what we seek and eventually find may end in sorrow, but God always has a purpose and will for our lives.

She, delighting in the examples of the women of the Bible, p44

Reflection and Application

Reflect on the years of your life. How has the Lord used sorrow in your life for your good and His glory?

The More We Know

Know These Truths

1. She, delighting in the examples of the women of the Bible, p43 (and Genesis 30:22) ↩︎