June 16 – Genesis 30:1-13
June 16 – Genesis 30:1-13
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Heavenly Father, we are seeing some very familiar names here. The names of the twelve tribes. We are seeing the promise to Abraham coming true. How sad it is to see so much heartache and manipulation as part of the history of Your chosen people, but from the first family and the first murder we saw that man was going to give You trouble. When I have a bad day and things just don’t seem to be going my way, and I come to complain to You, You never tell me, “You think you have it bad? You should see what I’m dealing with today.” I know You probably should. Just to get me to realize how good I have it. When I think how many people are suffering all over the world just to have enough food and water to keep their family alive, then I gripe about my day, I feel so sad about how entitled I have become. I certainly don’t mean to be that way, and I have to admit I hate that word, “entitled”, but when I compare the problems I have with real problems in the world, I know that word fits me. Help me realize how blessed I am. I have a roof over my head and plenty of food on the table, clean water to drink…so much more than I deserve, for sure. Help me not take the gifts You give me daily and the life You allow me to live, for granted. Help me take what You give me and give back to You. Help me bless others in Your name.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen!
As you read this passage, think about the struggles between family members that are a direct result of manipulation by others in the family. This jealousy that Rachel carried toward her sister, Leah, continued to grow due to Rachel’s inability to bear children. How crushing that must have been for Rachel. Nothing in this passage indicated that Rachel cried out to God. How often do we find ourselves in a deep struggle and we do not cry out to God for mercy? Perhaps we feel like we can handle the situations ourselves. God loves us and wants what is best for us. Rely on God and call on Him as you face tough times. He wants us to be in a relationship with Him.
What difficulties can God help you with today?
Call out and wait patiently. His plan is best.
Genesis 30:1-13
When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children, or I shall die!"2 Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel, and he said, "Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?"3 Then she said, "Here is my servant Bilhah; go in to her, so that she may give birth on my behalf, that even I may have children through her."4 So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her.5 And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son.6 Then Rachel said, "God has judged me, and has also heard my voice and given me a son." Therefore she called his name Dan.7 Rachel's servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son.8 Then Rachel said, "With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister and have prevailed." So she called his name Naphtali.9 When Leah saw that she had ceased bearing children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife.10 Then Leah's servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son.11 And Leah said, "Good fortune has come!" so she called his name Gad.12 Leah's servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son.13 And Leah said, "Happy am I! For women have called me happy." So she called his name Asher.
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