Bible Study Online ArticleLocated at the Bottom of Page In the last article we learned that Rachel would grow even more desperate, for she had given herself over to the idea of trying Leah's "mandrake plants", in the hopes of finally getting pregnant. But instead, it would be Leah - who the Lord had decided to smile on once again.
Leah would now find herself giving birth to more sons, in which she named: Issachar and Zebulun. And during this season of increase, God would also bless Leah with a daughter as well, and she named her Dinah. So we now move forward, and we now find that after Rachel had endured a long troubling season, which dealt with her being in a state of barrenness, we now find that God has finally blessed Rachel with a child that she can call her own. This would cause Rachel to proclaim: "God has taken away my disgrace." And she would name this child Joseph. 1) Asaph - (He has taken away my disgrace): Remember that Rachel had felt like she was being punished by God for whatever reason. This mindset had come from the fact that she wasn't able to give birth to a child of her own, and this condition of being barren was seen as being a curse and was disgraceful in her eyes and unto others. 2) Jasaph - (The Lord shall add to me another son): Rachel basically felt that finally, God had lifted the curse off of her. For she sees this child as the start of a season that would be filled with grace and increase from the Lord. Which meant, the beginning of better things to come for her. This is why Rachel at this time had also proclaimed: "May the Lord add to me another son." However, we'll have to wait and see if God heard Rachel's proclamation for another child, and more importantly, will He honor it? But in the meantime, we find that the Sacred Scriptures switches us back towards the dealings between Jacob and his father-in-law Laban. Now keep in mind that it has been about fourteen years since Jacob had given his word, that he would continue to work for Laban for another seven years, in order for him to earn Rachel's hand in marriage. Know that, Jacob had 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 asked of his father-in-law. After hearing this, Laban would say: "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." - Genesis 30:27,28 Now understand that we have Laban once again, pulling out all the stops when it comes to keeping Jacob around. Remember that Laban had benefited greatly behind Jacob's stewardship over his flocks. Know that it was because of Jacob, that the Lord had allowed Laban to prosper greatly. Jacob seemed to know this, this is why he responded to Laban's proposal by saying: "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?" Genesis 30:29,30 Keep in mind that the response that Jacob gave, showed a small glimpse of how his heart really was. Know that 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 of being able to name his own wages, if he decided to take him up on his offer. Laban also knew that Jacob had proven his value many times over, and he could easily command a premium price for his expertise, when it came to tending his father-in-law's flocks. But Laban made the play, in which he hoped, that Jacob would once again give in and compromise on his true value and standards, by agreeing to a much cheaper price, just like he had done for the past fourteen years. Will Jacob this time around, give in to Laban's proposal? Will allow Laban to take advantage of him once again? Or will he depart and head back to the land that the Lord had promised to the future generations of his grandfather Abraham? **YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE** 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 BIBLE STUDY ONLINE PAGE->  |
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