The Battle of the Sisters

Genesis 30:1-8

I often wonder why anyone would pay good money for a novel, fiction or non-fiction when they have such great stories in the Bible.  This story of Rachel and Leah and the saga that is taking place is one that cannot be out done by the paperback writer of sex stories. Leah the older, steals the boyfriend and husband to be of the younger, and very hot little sister Rachel, with a little help from dear old dad.  Then the dad makes a deal to give the younger one to Jacob in exchange for seven years of his labor, and now this guy Jacob has two wives and they are sisters, who have been competing with each other for years.

Leah had four sons and that gives the older sister a new status with her husband Jacob and those in the neighborhood, but it sure caused big problems with baby sister.  “When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister.  She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!” (Genesis 30:1)  That is possibly the first time that the younger was envious of the older sister, and Rachel also shows us she can be somewhat the drama queen.  As I read this account, I’ve wondered what kind of a man was Jacob, it almost looks like he does whatever his wives tell him to do; but in this account with Rachel he shows a little manhood, “Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”  I was wondering when this guy would come to the end of his rope with these women telling him what to do; then he blows it by not learning anything from the mistakes of his great grandfather Abraham.

Little sister does not do what her older sister did, by asking God to bless her with a male child, instead she comes up with a scheme to offer her servant Bilhah to Jacob so that she could have a baby though her servant.  “So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her.  And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son.  Then Rachel said, “God has judged me and has also heard my voice and given me a son.”  Therefore she called his name Dan.  Rachel’s servant Bilhah conceived again and bore a second son.  Then Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister and have prevailed.” So she called his name Naphtali.”  I hope you notice, this is a real battle going on between these sisters, they are not interested in God’s will; it is just a contest of who is going to beat the other, and it looks like Jacob is closer to being retired to stud, than to be the head of his family.  Note: Even though they are doing this totally in the flesh, God is not surprised and will use this in His plan for the founding of the twelve tribes of Israel.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice