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We've all met someone like her: lovely face, perfect body, interesting career, devoted husband. The kind of woman who seems to have everything.
In Haran of old, her name was Rachel.
Her story opens like a fairytale: Jacob, her cousin, dutifully labored seven years for her hand in marriage, "but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her" (Genesis 29:20).
Uh-oh. With such blessings heaped in her corner, we know trouble is on the way.
Sure enough, on Rachel's wedding night, Jacob unwittingly married her older sister, Leah, thanks to their father's scheming. Though Rachel became Jacob's second wife, Leah was the fertile one, bearing four healthy sons, one after another.
"But Rachel was barren" (Genesis 29:31). So few words, so much sorrow. Across the centuries we empathize with our infertile sister, especially those among us who've known this particular heartache.
The Drama QueenHad Rachel rested in the abundance of Jacob's love, waited patiently for the Lord to open her womb, and involved herself in the lives of Leah's children, we'd applaud her as a timeless role model, showing us how a godly woman handles such a difficult situation.
Ah, but Rachel was a flawed human being, just as we are, and so she "became jealous of her sister" (Genesis 30:1). Though Rachel was strikingly beautiful and deeply loved, those joys weren't enough. She wanted what her sister had.
Shakespeare called it "the green sickness"—jealousy, covetousness, envy. Rachel isn't alone in her sin; we've all succumbed to the temptation of jealousy.
Did she rail at Leah? She did not.
Did she shake her fist at God? She did not.
Instead, Rachel demanded of her husband, "Give me children or I'll die!" (Genesis 30:1). Boy, does this drama-queen statement sound familiar. Substitute any number of options for the word children, and I've probably said it in the same strident tone of voice: "Give me _________ or I'll … I'll … "
Expected to fix a situation beyond his control, Jacob lost his temper. "Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?" (Genesis 30:2).
Ouch. Though his assessment was accurate—only God could solve the problem—Jacob had clearly run out of patience.
Baby, BabyDesperate for a baby, Rachel pushed her husband into the arms of her maidservant, Bilhah, and insisted, "Sleep with her so that she can bear children for me" (Genesis 30:3). Canaanite customs allowed such a solution … but Rachel wasn't a Canaanite! How easily we adapt to the ways of the world when we want, want, want.
Jacob complied with her wishes, and so did Bilhah. Soon Rachel's servant bore a son, whom Rachel was quick to claim and name, declaring, "God has vindicated me" (Genesis 30:6). Biblical commentators hear more than a little self-congratulation in her words. She gave no credit to Jacob or Bilhah, and she reduced God to One who did her bidding: "He has listened to my plea" (Genesis 30:6).
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