For more notes and resources check out Douglas' website.
Hebrew words:
- Rakhel (Rachel)
- Sounds like "ewe."
- Appears 47x in the Bible (all but once in the O.T.).
- She bore Jacob two sons, Joseph and Benjamin.
- Le'ah (Leah)
- Sounds like "weary." It is less likely it means "dull" or "wild cow."
- Interpreters often suggest her eyes lacked luster.
- Appears 34x in the O.T.
- She bore Jacob six sons and one daughter (Dinah).
- Yosef (Joseph, pronounced "yo-SAFE") -- may he add / increase
Further study:
- Genesis:
- Excerpts used in the podcast: 29:23-24, 31; 30:1-3, 22-24; 31:14-20; 33:1-2; 35:16-19; 48:7.
- Broader sections: Genesis 28-31, 33, 35, 48
- 28 and 24 -- going back to the people of God when seeking a spouse.
- Other passages cited:
- The Shulammite: Song of Songs 1:8, 6:13.
- Leviticus 18:18: Mosaic law forbade (simultaneously) marrying sisters.
Some things we learn about God:
- God blesses those who marry within the faith.
- God's plan is monogamous marriage. Polygamy does not work, and only leads to great dysfunction.
- Superstitions are vain. God is the one in control. He cannot be controlled by magic.
- Those the Lord has chosen to bless do not always have the smoothest relationships -- even (especially?) within their own families.
- The objects of our prayers often have a high price tag. Be careful what you pray for!
- With the Lord, it isn't just quantity, but quality. Though Leah had seven children, and Rachel only two, these two gave rise to:
- The first king of Israel and his N.T. namesake, Saul of Tarsus.
- A man, Joseph, whose sons' descendants would not only constitute a plurality within Israel, but who himself would save his brothers, father, and in fact millions. Moreover, there are numerous parallels between Joseph and Christ.
For kids (devotional discussion):
- Share some selective readings, e.g. from chapters 28, 29, and 30.
- Talk about the two sisters. What were they like? How were they different? How was their relationship?
- Explain that they both wanted children, and jealously competed with each other. What do you want? Is there a toy, privilege, or anything else you very much want? How do your siblings compete with you (and vice-versa)?
- What makes us happier: sharing, or wanting it all for ourselves?
- Explain that mothers sometimes die in giving birth. Read 35:16-19. Ask how Jacob felt, and then read 48:7.
- In what ways should we want to be like Rachel? (This is a good question for girls, and even for boys.) Focus on her character.
Key verses:
- 29:20 -- Her husband loved her deeply. See also 48:7.
- 30:1 -- "Give me children, or I die!"
Next lesson: Joseph, our final character in Genesis.
