Rachel was the second daughter of Laban. She was described as beautiful and won the heart of her cousin Jacob, Rebekah’s son. Their passionate romance was marked by endurance, sacrifice and some moments of jealousy (Gen 28–35)¹.
It all began when Rachel met Jacob as he was running away from his hometown because of his older brother’s (Esau’s) rage. He had gone to Padan Aram where Laban (his uncle) and his family lived. This was in obedience to his father Isaac’s instruction to find a wife from their relatives. Rachel was tending her father’s sheep-as a shepherd-when she met Jacob at the well. She went home to inform her family about his arrival after Jacob explained that he was family and was Rebekah’s son. Then Rachel’s father, Laban, welcomed Jacob to his household.
Jacob asked to marry Rachel as his wages for working for Laban for 7 years and Laban agreed to it. However, when the time had passed, Laban tricked him into marrying Leah, Rachel’s older sister instead. Jacob had to serve another seven years to marry Rachel as his second wife. Imagine Rachel’s frustration and anger at her father’s deception. She had waited 7 years in expectation only for her hopes to be dashed and extended by another 7 years.
Rachel and Jacob eventually got married but another issue popped up-Rachel couldn’t have children. This was in contrast to her fertile sister, who although was less loved by Jacob, had many children for him. Rachel was so desperate that she told Jacob “Give me children, or else I die!” (30:1), and ended up giving her maid Bilhah to Jacob, who had 2 sons for him. With time, God remembered Rachel and listened to her and she gave birth to her first child Joseph (the famous Joseph we read about in the Bible). Rachel acknowledged God’s provision and expressed her desire for another son (v.22–24).
Rachel, Jacob and his whole family left Laban’s home because of misunderstandings between him and Laban. Before leaving though, Rachel stole their family’s household gods (31:19). This action is considered by some as a retaliation for her father giving away Leah first as these gods were considered a title deed that are kept by the head of the family². When Laban realized that the gods were missing, he went after Jacob and his family. Jacob was so upset when Laban confronted him about the gods that he said whoever had them would not live (31:32). Rachel hid the gods when Laban searched her tent for it (31:35) and true to Jacob’s words, she died when her younger son, Benjamin, was born.
Rachel’s story shows that she had faith, even though she probably battled with unforgiveness, anger, jealousy, doubt and helplessness at her inability to have a child. Her life is a reminder of how human choices and God’s sovereignty both play a role in our lives. There are things we have control of, and others which are absolutely out of our control. I think Rachel’s life might have taken a different path if she had not stolen their household gods. When we strive to keep those things we can control aligned with our love for God and serving our neighbor, it often leads to making the best decision out of the options available to us at any point in time. For the things we can’t control (like Rachel’s childlessness), we must trust and look up to God for His intervention and/or for wisdom in managing them.
References
- Compelling Truth. (n.d.). Who was Rachel in the Bible? Compelling Truth. Retrieved November 5, 2020, from https://www.compellingtruth.org/Rachel-in-the-Bible.html
- Fletcher, E. (2006). Who was Rachel in the Bible? Retrieved November 5, 2020, from https://www.womeninthebible.net/bible-people/rachel_bible/
