Is Jacob awoke in high spirits; his marriage to Rachel was official. When he first met her it was love at first sight; while her flirting amused him, it was her beauty that took his breath away. Turning to give his bride a kiss, he is shocked by what he sees. It is not beloved beautiful Rachel at his side, but her bland older sister Leah. “Dear God, what have I done?” Grappling with his thoughts he tried to recall everything about last night, but with his mind fogged from partying and wine, it’s impossible to remember what happened. Sitting in a tent, being guarded by two goons who work for her father, was not how Rachel envisioned the morning after her wedding night. In the distance she hears the festivities winding down. Her frustration …show more content…
Cursing her father’s treachery and resenting Jacob’s meek acceptance, sorrow overwhelms her; dropping to her knees the tears flow again. There is no way out, her scheming father wins again. When the celebratory feasting for Jacob and Leah’s marriage ends, Rachel awaits her husband’s arrival. Spotting Leah across the room sours the moment, “You may be the first wife, sister, but you’ll see, I am the favored one.” Increased excitement in the room brings Rachel back from daydreaming; Jacob is coming! Upon entering, he walks by Leah and doesn’t even nod. “He loves me, not Leah (Gen. 29:30), everyone knows it, especially Leah.” Over the years, Leah bore Jacob’s children, while Rachel was blessed with his love and favor. Leah longed for the favor Rachel had, while Rachel longed for the children Leah had. The ache in Rachel consumed her. Jacob wasn’t terribly helpful. He became angry and said, Although this was a true statement, it didn’t cover the hurt and longing in Rachel’s heart. So great is her desire for children, Rachel conceives a plan that would have been unthinkable a few years ago. She didn’t want to share Jacob with anyone, especially her sister, but now she offers Jacob her maidservant as a pregnancy …show more content…
Even so, Rachel suffers from the never-satisfied syndrome. She had no time to praise God or find joy in her beautiful son. Instead, she asks for more. Rachel cradles Joseph in her arms, listening to her husband’s complaints about her father. “He constantly changes the rules and attempts to trick me out of wealth that is rightfully mine. We have to leave.” Convincing her to travel to Canaan is an easy task; after all, Rachel has no reason to stay: her father cares naught about her. After a slow and arduous journey, the convoy arrives at Jacob's land, and Rachel conceives again. A few months later as the family travel to Bethlehem, Rachel’s labor begins; the intensity of the pain increases rapidly, forcing the group to stop for the birth. The feel of the midwife’s hand firmly kneading her back calms her, but the pain in her stomach is growing stronger. Her screams echo through the camp, and she begs God for relief. Hours later she grabs onto the midwife’s arm, “I can’t do it,” The midwife looks at her with compassion, “It’s almost over. Soon, you can rest.” Wiping the sweat out of her eyes, Rachel pushed one last time. A bloodied and beaten baby comes into the world; knowing death is upon her, she names him Ben-oni (son of my sorrow). Drifting out of consciousness; death comes soon thereafter. Wanting more, not jealousy, kills