Genesis 30:1-8

2008.Dec.19 07:12

The Handmaid

Read Genesis 30:1-8 | Full Chapter

When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children, or I shall die!" 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?" 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." So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her. And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. Then Rachel said, "God has judged me, and has also heard my voice and given me a son." Therefore she called his name Dan. Rachel’s servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. Then Rachel said, "With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister and have prevailed." So she called his name Naphtali.
(Genesis 30:1-8, ESV)

If you haven’t read The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, quit reading this and go read that, now. Seriously. The read her novel, The Blind Assassin for a little (just a little) cheering up. The Handmaid’s Tale references this narrative. Anyway.

Rachel, more loved by Jacob, is barren. Story of Genesis, right? She complains to her husband. Jacob is angered because he feels there’s nothing he can do. There’s a fair chance he’s right. His point is that he is not God. A surprisingly wise point from him. Now, what do these two do? Do they talk to Yahweh about it? Well, there’s no record of them doing so. Instead, Rachel takes matters into her own hand, and our apparently rather horny patriach willingly goes along.

Specifically, Jacob sleeps with Rachel’s maidservent Bilhah, at Rachel’s suggestion. The technique is effective in so far as Bilhah has two sons, Dan and Naphtali, who Rachel considers as her own children. As with Leah, one of Rachel’s biggest concerns in having these sons–if less than directly–is her status in relation to Leah. Rachel now is both the object of Jacob’s infatuation and has “given him” sons. So, she has “prevailed.”

I have a hard time not assuming that God’s reason for the inclusion of this narrative is to remind us how of our focus can get because of sin (jealousy, in this case). Having children just to say “I’m better than you?” How absurd. But that’s one of the things sin does. It makes us absurd.

Genesis 29:31-35

2008.Dec.12 14:10

It Ain’t Gonna Happen

Read Genesis 29:31-35 | Full Chapter

When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, "Because the LORD has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me." She conceived again and bore a son, and said, "Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also." And she called his name Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, "Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore his name was called Levi. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, "This time I will praise the LORD." Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.
(Genesis 29:31-35, ESV)

Leah and Rachel, sisters and fellow-wives to their cousin, Jacob, exiled from Palenstine, returned to old family homestead. Leah is the first wife and eldest, but it is Rachel who receives Jacob’s love, admiration and desires. Leah is the wife he didn’t want, but accepted in order to marry her sister–and that only after some deception. Leah’s life is proving less than wonderful.

Yahweh is not unaware of such slights or hardships. In this case, aware of her treatment, Yahweh allows (causes?) Leah to conceive and, in succession, bear four sons while her sister remains without children. It’s not clear here what God’s goals are. Obviously, in a culture that places a great deal of value of the children–particularly the sons–of a woman, and sees the worth of the woman at least to some degree in that light, her having four sons will help Leah be considered more…successful?…within this society. It strikes me as unlikely that this would be Yahweh’s primary reason, but I really have no way of knowing.

It’s clear what Leah hopes this will accomplish: “for now my husband will love me,” “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also,” “Now this time my husband will be attached to me.” She sees her sons as the means for gaining some measure of the love that Jacob gives Rachel. But I’ve not noticed any indication that such ever happens. Even later, Jacob will value the sons of Rachel more than these first four (I might note at this point that two of these tribes, Judah and Levi, ultimately have particularly significant roles in the Biblical history of Israel). Unfortunately, Jacob is a jerk, at least at times, and this is one of those times.

But then something quite astounding happens. Leah has the forth son, whom she names Judah. She says, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Wow. Three times she sought love from her husband. This time she gives love to Yahweh. Now, just this little snippet no doubt leaves out a lot of details. There’s no indication that Leah had ignored God prior to the birth of Judah. But this final statement represents a radical shift in attitude from those prior.

Genesis 15:1-6

2007.Mar.17 17:47

Faith/Hope

Read Genesis 15:1-6 | Full Chapter

Later the LORD spoke to Abram in a vision, “Abram, don’t be afraid! I will protect you and reward you greatly.” But Abram answered, “LORD All-Powerful, you have given me everything I could ask for, except children. And when I die, Eliezer of Damascus will get all I own. You have not given me any children, and this servant of mine will inherit everything.”
(Genesis 15:1-3, CEV)

My first thought upon reading this is that perhaps Abram is getting a bit persnickety. The, “You’ve given me everything I could ask for, except”, gives me that idea. Then again, the except here is more significant than, say, a yacht, or one of those new-fangled Hybrid Camels. He’d like to have a child. That’s a reasonable request, unless you’re, say, in your nineties. Based on my understanding of the chronology (and I don’t have anything clear to back this up), Abram may have been in his nineties or so at this point.

For whatever reason (probably cultural), Abram particularly bemoans that his servant, Eliezer, will inherit Abram’s wealth, since he is childless. Inheritance is one of many fascinating issues to me throughout the Bible, but for the moment, I just want to note that this issue appears here, and wonder if Eliezer too could have inherited God’s promise to Abram of Canaan (Genesis 13:14-18).

The LORD replied, “No, he won’t! You will have a son of your own, and everything you have will be his.” Then the LORD took Abram outside and said, “Look at the sky and see if you can count the stars. That’s how many descendants you will have.” Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD was pleased with him.
(Genesis 15:4-6, CEV)

Jehovah replies that Eliezer won’t inherit from Abram, because Abram will have a son. And more than that, he will have many, many descendents. Now, this is a nice thought for Abram and all. His legacy will be carried on, and all that (sorry, I’m 25; I’m not old enough to talk about legacies yet without a chuckle.), but more importantly, Abram takes Jehovah at his word. Abram believes, and God is pleased with him. Want to please Jehovah, do as Abram, believe what God tells you, and be obedient.

"So from one man [Abraham],” says the author Hebrews, “though he was physically as good as dead, there have sprung descendants whose number is as the stars of heaven and as countless as the innumerable sands on the seashore" (Hebrews 11:12, AMP) . So, see, faith and obedience are my role. And God can cause that which seems hopeless to be.