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 two 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 those 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 have.
“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
Read the full story of Rachel (and Leah), which is found in the Book of Genesis, primarily in chapters 29 through 35. It details their marriage to Jacob, their intense rivalry, and the birth of the children who became the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel, including key events such as Laban’s deception.
- She, delighting in the examples of the women of the Bible, p43 (and Genesis 30:22) ↩︎
Me From the Inside Out 