Bible Study Online Article
After a long season of enduring a state of barrenness, we now find that God has blessed Rachel with a child of her own. "God has taken away my disgrace," she would proclaim. The name of this child will be called Joseph in which this name has two meanings. 1) Asaph - (He has taken away my disgrace): Rachel had felt like she was being punished for some reason. For her not to be able to give birth to a child of her own, was seen as a curse and was disgraceful in her eyes and others. 2) Jasaph - (The Lord shall add to me another son): Rachel felt like finally the curse has been lifted off of her. She sees this child as being the start of a graceful season from the Lord. Which would mean a beginning of better things to come for her. Since God has begun this season of grace, why should He stop at just one child? "May the Lord add to me another son," she would declare. We will have to wait and see if God will hear Rachel's proclamation for another child. In the meantime this biblical account now switches back to the dealings between Jacob and his father-in-law Laban. Now it has been about fourteen years that Jacob had kept his word and worked for his father-in-law for the rights of marriage to Laban's daughter Rachel. Jacob has honestly stayed true to his agreement with Laban, and now he is ready to leave and make his own way in the world with his own family. "Send me on my way so I can go back to my own homeland. Give me my wives and children, for whom I have served you, and I will be on my way. You know how much work I've done for you," Jacob would remind his father-in-law. "If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you. Name your wages and I will pay them," Laban pleaded. Here we have Laban pulling out all the stops when it comes to keeping Jacob around. Laban had benefited greatly because of Jacob's stewardship over his flocks. Because of Jacob, the Lord had allowed him to prosper greatly. "You know how I have worked for you and how your livestock have fared under my care. The little you had before I came has increase greatly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I have been. But now, when may I do something for my own household?" Jacob would reply back to Laban. The response that Jacob gave showed a small glimpse of how the promise bearer heart really was. This is not the response of a deceiver, in which his name implies. This is the response of a man that's loyal, humble, and honest and of good-nature. Laban knew this, and that's why he placed Jacob in a position to name his own wages if he decided to take him up on his offer. He also knew that Jacob had proven his value many times over, and he could easily command a premium price for his expertise when it comes to tending his father-in-law's flocks. But Laban made the play in hoping that Jacob would once again give in and agree to a much cheaper price, just like he had done in the past fourteen years. Start at: The Introduction of Abraham Start at: The Birth of Isaac Start at: The Birth of Esau & Jacob 43) Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty 44) Jacob - The Stone Pillow Dream 46) Jacob - The Love Season of Reaping 50) The Mandrake Plant of Love 51) <-CURRENT PAGE->  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!
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