Rachel and Leah were sisters and both wives of Jacob. Jacob first met Rachel when she was tending her father’s sheep. It seems to have been love at first sight (Gen. 29:11). Jacob worked for Laban, Rachel’s father for seven years to marry Rachel. Gen. 29:20 says, “they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.” They were married in a traditional Jewish ceremony that kept the bride out of sight. It wasn’t until the next morning Jacob realized Laban had tricked him into marrying Leah. As we remember with Rebekah, Jacob had pulled a few tricks in his day, and now he had been tricked. So Jacob married Rachel (the same week he married Leah!) then worked seven more years for Laban. God’s purpose for marriage was for one man and one woman to become one together. Two wives will be trouble for Jacob, especially two sisters. Leviticus 18:18 will later forbid the marriage of two sisters.
Gen. 29:30 tells us Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. Because of this favoritism, God chose to bless Leah with children first. She had four sons. Then Rachel became jealous and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I will die!” (Gen. 30:1). Jacob told her it was not his doing, or lack of doing, that was keeping Rachel from being pregnant but God’s will. Rachel, as Sarah generations before her, convinced her husband to lie with her maid. Bilhah had two sons with Jacob. So Leah gave Jacob her maid, Zilpah, and they had two sons. We’re up to eight sons now for those who lost count. Leah then had two more sons and a daughter. Finally, Rachel bore a son, Joseph. Now we’re up to eleven sons, with four different women.
In chapter 30 Jacob and his growing family leave Laban. Just as Jacob makes peace with Laban and gets away from him, he meets Esau. They make peace also. Jacob and his family eventually return to Bethel and cleanse themselves from idol worship. The covenant God made with Abraham would be realized through Jacob’s family. Therefore they had to cleanse themselves. During a journey Rachel was pregnant again and died giving birth to Benjamin. If we continued in our study of these sons we would see Jacob favored Joseph. This caused great division in the family. Remember the coat of many colors, Joseph being sold in to slavery, and eventually his power in Egypt? Though this diverse family had many struggles, they each were special to God and fulfilled the purposes He had for them.
There are many blended and step-families today. Though not related by blood, these families can create deep and lasting bonds. This can be challenging. Families who work together to be the best family they can be are the most successful. This takes love, communication, encouragement, and above all a commitment to Christ and one another. Jesus Himself was raised by a “step-parent,” Joseph! We can all help these families by supporting and praying for them.
All of us have seen blended families who have made it work! What qualities have you observed in these families?
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