Scripture to Read: Genesis 30:9-24
We know that God had blessed Leah by giving Jacob his first four sons through Leah. Rachel, on the other hand, was not bearing children at all. Because of Rachels’s jealously of Leah, we read in Genesis 30:1-8 how Rachel gave her maidservant Bilhah to Jacob to have children through Bilhah. Then we read in Genesis 30:9-13 that because Leah was not bearing any more children and due to her jealousy of Rachel’s maidservant, Leah gave her maidservant Zilpah to Jacob to have more sons through Zilpah. We can see how messed up this family had become. But then we read in Genesis 30:14-21 how God continued to move on Leah’s behalf, for Jacob did not love her, but God did, and Leah gave Jacob two more sons and also a daughter. Finally, in Genesis 30:22-24, we see God show His favor to Rachel, and Rachel ends up giving Jacob his eleventh son, Joseph. God uses all things and all people to carry our His perfect purpose and plans. Even when mankind seems to get in the way we can know that God is actively working. As messed up as all these people were here in God’s Word, God reminds us of His truth in Romans 8:28, And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. God can and will carry out His perfect plan. We just need to make sure we obey Him so we’re part of the solution and not the problem.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about how He is working even when we choose to walk in sinful ways and attitudes?
2. How are you seeking to live your life so that you know you are walking exactly as God would have you walk?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!