January 17, 2011 Four Wives?

Four Wives?
Read Genesis 31

Genesis 31:53-55 So Jacob took an oath in the name of the Fear of his father Isaac. 54 He offered a sacrifice there in the hill country and invited his relatives to a meal. After they had eaten, they spent the night there. 55 Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left and returned home.

CHAPTERS 30 & 31 of Genesis are a long account of Jacob going to find a wife, marrying Leah (against his will) and Rachel and having the sons that would eventually become the fathers of the 12 Tribes of Israel.
It is a difficult account to read. Jacob fathers his children through Leah, Leah’s maidservant, Rachel’s maidservant and finally Rachel. But one born to Rachel is Joseph, and the stage is set for the future.
For his own reasons, God has set the stage in a way we wouldn’t expect. Why not have Jacob take one wife and have his children through her? It would seem to be more pure, and there possibly would be less contention in Jacob’s household.
With the rivalries that would develop among his sons and in the issues Jacob had with his father-in-law, Jacob had a difficult life. And before this, Jacob had been deceitful to his father Isaac. The story makes no sense until we remember: God is at work here.
How God accomplishes his will is his business. It is his way. We can be surprised, but we can’t say “This will never work.” God will often take people into difficult times or new places to strengthen them into a deeper trust relationship with him.


Pause and Consider: that what God did with Jacob he wants to do with you.