Genesis 30:1-2, 22-24 -- Rachel's son

Have you noticed the first three women highlighted in this week's reading aremothers of three patriarchs.  Each of these women had trouble conceiving their sons.  Each of these women could be found crying out for the miracle they so desperately desired—a child.

Genesis 30:1-2 (NIV)
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, "Give me children, or I'll die!" Jacob became angry with her and said, "Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?"

The Life Application Bible Notes points out the ways each man reacted to his wife’s predicament.  Abraham had relations with his wife’s servant which lead to jealousy and turmoil.  Isaac by contrast prayed to God about his wife’s barren condition and Jacob followed his grandfather’s example and had children by his wives’ servants.

Eventually God answered Rachels’ prayers and gave her a child, but not before she had tried to take the situation into her own hands, for she also gave her servant to her husband, Jacob.  Trusting God when it seems our prayers will not be answered is hard.  We are often tempted to get ahead of God and His perfect timing.  That never ends well.  And then there are the consequences—those are not pleasant either. 

Can you draw a parallel here?  Can you, like me, recognize periods when it seemed God was ignoring the prayers that were being sent?  I have learned it is during these times of silence, when I am feeling like I am on my own, that God is working silently in the background.  Many valuable faith-lessons have been learned by this writer during those bleak days.

God’s timing is perfect, and His plan is perfect.  My life will be made perfect if I wait upon the LORD.

Read Genesis 30:1-2, 22-24 here

Listen to Genesis 30:1-2, 22-24 here