Love, desperation and family
It seems to me that although Jacob proposed because of love, through the desperation of his two wives, he could best be nicknamed: Jacob-the-pingpong-ball.
Preparing the Bride for GOD’s Story
How do we prepare as the Bride of Christ? One aspect is to learn GOD’S STORY. He created us in His image…. Piece by piece, and peace by peace, we learn to walk as He has walked. And we learn His perspective.
Genesis 30:16-24
“When Jacob came out of the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come in to me, for I have surely hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” And he lay with her that night.
“And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. Leah said, “God has given me my wages, because I have given my maid to my husband.” So she called his name Issachar. Then Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son. And Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she called his name Zebulun. Afterward she bore a daughter, and called her name Dinah.
“Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. And she conceived and bore a son, and said, “God has taken away my reproach.” So she called his name Joseph, and said, “The Lord shall add to me another son.””
Jacob and free will
I feel sorry for Jacob. Has he any free will now that he’s married to these two sisters? Did he have any free will under Laban?
One might think that having lots of children from 4 different women is a delight, but it seems to me that Jacob is “war torn”! So are the women. Certainly the sisters are miserable, envious, stressed and competitive.
Nevertheless, Leah is honoured as the first wife and bears 3 more children… As well, the mandrakes seem to do their trick so that finally, Rachel has her baby! Hallelujah! …. But instead of delight, we will discover the envy and hostility in the family is simply carried into the next generation.
GOD can turn anything for good — and He does
GOD keeps His unconditional promise to Abraham. He observes all that the offspring get up to; but still, He watches over Jacob and his family, protects and keeps them safe throughout the famine. If He wanted to be rid of the lot, He certainly had the opportunity. But instead, He uses the circumstance to give them every opportunity to thrive before teaching them — through their ingratitude and stiff necked nature — that He is the GOD of the Universe and though He loves, He will also discipline His chosen people long after Jacob has left this world.
Jacob’s nature
So, Jacob-the-pingpong-ball does what other men would do… for the sake of peace and for progeny, he fathers more children.
The man who wrestled GOD for his blessing, seems overwhelmed by the women in his life.
In Jacob’s culture, let’s not think women have no power. Let’s not think men control women. Let’s just recognise that Jacob, a strong fighter for his future, was putty in these women’s hands. He did his mother’s bidding in tricking his father Isaac to get his brother’s blessing…. and subsequently had to escape for his life. He gave Laban seven years of labour for the wife of his dreams; he had to give another seven years to ensure Laban would honour his promise to give Jacob Rachel for his wife. And he served his wives and their maids to father many children, at their bidding.
Either a pingpong ball or a puppet, Jacob was not really the head of the household.
And yet, GOD honoured His promise to Abraham, He honoured the women with children, and He would honour those brothers who protected their younger albeit annoying brother, Joseph.
We will see how family dynamics play out in the coming weeks…But the key is to recognise, GOD honours His promises in spite of our behaviour. We can take comfort in this when we, as followers of our Saviour Jesus, make mistakes and think, “I’ve blown my opportunity of a lifetime, forever.”
As we look into the new year, 2026, we can rest assured that so long as we follow Jesus, all things will work to good.
Have a great start to 2026!
Every blessing,
Sarah