BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

Lesson 28

Competition At Its Worse

Genesis 30

Me-

As far back as I can remember I have been competitive.  I have not liked to lose at anything.  Even when we used to play cowboys and Indians, Yes I know that dates me, I always wanted to be the good guy or the cowboy because they always won.  In sports it was the same way, I either wanted to be on the winning team or cheer for the best.  That is one reason I have always rooted for the New York Yankees because they have been a great team for a long time. 

The older I have gotten I have come to realize that I cannot always win.  There are things that are completely out my control.  One of the lessons learned, which has not been easy, is I do not have to get in the last word in a discussions.  Sometimes another person makes a point that just cannot be disputed. 

The type of competition mentioned above is not bad in itself.  However, if it brings on irrational behavior or division between parties it has gone too far.  My hope and desire as I get older is to understand that God does admire passion in people.  It however must be under His control and direction.  Competition unrestrained will bring about damage in the life of someone.

We-

It is said of Christians, that we are the only ones who shoot our own.  Paul wrote in Galatians, “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.”  (Galatians 5:15)  Sadly, we do this all the time.  How, may you ask?  It occurs because we are in competition with each other to achieve our own agendas.  We also do this when we find ourselves competing with other churches for the same people rather than cheering them on when they reach people for Christ.  We do this when, even subconsciously, we do not want others to be doing better than we are.  In a subtle way this comes out when we brag, yes brag, about the number of members we have.  Usually this is a very inflated number since true membership is not the number on role but those who actually attend and serve on a regular basis.  The sooner we learn that we are on the same team the sooner we can focus on what God has called us to be.

Our narrative continues as the struggle between Leah and Rachel continues. Each uses the children to try to gain first place in the heart of Jacob.  We also see the maneuvering by each of the men, Jacob and Laban, to outsmart each other and to get the upper hand in the battle for position and power between them.  In either case the competition only brought with it bitterness, jealousy and pain.  The actions of the adults would impact the family of Jacob for the rest of his life.

God-

Genesis 30:1-24

In the following verses there was a conflict going on that would have long term consequences.  It involved the four women in Jacob’s life, but primarily it was between Leah and Rachel.  Although the interaction is between the two sisters one almost has to wonder where Jacob is during all of this time.  The tension, jealousy and mistrust occurring was becoming a way of life for the two.  It would eventually affect the children in an adverse way, but that part of the narrative will come later.

Jacob of course was present but appeared almost oblivious to what was going on around him in his own family.  He seems to have done better tending the sheep than dealing with squabble of his wives.  As the head of the family he had responsibility for the climate that existed.

Again one must wonder if he had not inherited the trait from his father of wanting to avoid conflict at all costs.  Even in his negotiations with Laban, he gave in to the schemes and deceptions without holding his father-in-law responsible for his actions.  Other than his one comment to Rachel, he allowed his family to be torn apart and did nothing about it.

By remaining neutral Jacob produced an environment where all involvement would not know where they stood.  It certainly would have caused the women to have a feeling of insecurity as can be seen by the meaning that each gave to their children.  Frustration, jealousy and confusion would result from his non-involvement.   

Genesis 30:1-2

Rachel’s reaction to what was taking place was natural.  Like any woman of her day, she wanted to have children.  She could not understand how Jacob could produce children through Leah and she could have none. Her jealousy of her sister turned into blaming Jacob. She actually demanded that he give her a child.  Unlike Isaac who prayed that Rebekah might have children Jacob only rebuked Rachel in her time of hurt and frustration.  His response showed that he understood and stated clearly, but not very lovingly, that it was in the hand of God to do as she commanded.

1. In what ways was Rachel’s reaction to her inability to have children natural?
2. What did she expect Jacob to do about her situation?
3. What could have Jacob have done on behalf of his wife?
4. What do you think of Jacob’s response?
5. Why did God not allow her to have children at that point in time?

Genesis 30:3-6

Like Sarah before her, Rachel took matters into her own hands.  Rather than waiting on God she planed to use her servant to fulfill her own selfish desire of having a child. Of course Bihah had no say in the matter. Rachel gave Bilhah to Jacob as a wife to become a surrogate mother for Rachel. To keep the peace in the family, Jacob complied with Rachel’s wishes. Indeed Bilhah did provide Jacob with a son.  Rachel named him Dan concluding that God had vindicated her and had listened to her petition.  What she truly desired was to find meaning in life which she decided could only happen by having a son. Since the child was born of a servant he automatically became the possession of Rachel. She did not understand that God would have no part in her plan.

1. What does this event tell us about Rachel?
2. Why would Jacob go along with her plan?
3. What does this say about the attitude of both of them towards Bilhah?
4. What does this whole episode say about her understanding of God?
5. In what way was she wrong by naming the boy Dan?
6. What was Rachel really trying to accomplish?

Genesis 30:7-8

Rachel was not satisfied with the one son.  Again Bilhad conceived and had another son.  Her name for the second son indicated what was truly on her mind.  It was the competition and jealousy she felt toward her sister. She had to be the winner in her struggle for the affections of Jacob.  The boy born to Bilhah was named Naphtali which literally means, “Wrestlings with God.”

1. What was Rachel trying to achieve by giving Bilhah to Jacob once again?
2. What was truly behind all of her maneuvering?
3. What does the name of the second son tell us about Rachel?
4. Although “Wrestlings with God” was mentioned because of the boy’s name,  in what way did it define Rachel’s struggle with her sister?  
5. What place did God have in the life of Rachel and Jacob at this point in time?

Genesis 30:9-13

Not to be outdone and thinking the time of having children was over, Leah followed Rachel’s example and gave Zilpah, her maid, to Jacob.  Zilpah had two children. The first Leah named Gad which means fortunate.  The second was named Asher.  His name meant happy.  In a way these two names were paradoxical.  Because of the underlying conflict and competition to outdo each other being waged by these two sisters the results would not bring happiness to either one of them. Although she named one of them Gad the whole circumstance under which he was born was an unfortunate example of using others for personal gain.  Leah said women will call me happy because she had given Jacob six sons. It is obvious that neither she nor Rachel could be thought of as content. 

1. Why was Leah not satisfied with the four sons she had already had?
2. Why did she feel it necessary to repeat Rachel’s misguided act?
3. Looking at the names given, how accurately do you think their names convey what was going on in the lives of the two sisters?
4. Why could they not find happiness?
5. Why would Leah consider herself fortunate?  Was this true?

Genesis 30:14-15

In these two verses the feelings of Leah toward her sister come to the surface. When Rachel asked for some of the plants that Reuben had found, Leah reacts with harsh words.  She actually accused her sister of stealing her husband.  For whatever reason, Rachel was willing to give up spending the night with Jacob for some of the mandrakes. It was thought that the plant would arouse passion and bring children to a woman who was barren.  Rachel was desperate and if the mandrakes would be a remedy to her situation she was willing to give up time with Jacob. 

1. What evidence do we have of Leah’s true opinion of her sister?
2. How did Rachel act to diffuse the situation?
3. Why would Rachel even ask for some mandrakes?
4. What did the people think the mandrakes could do for a person?
5. What did her desperation cause her to do?

Genesis 30:16-21

As a result of the bargain Leah began to conceive and have children once again. She gave God the credit for allowing her to have more children.  Leah had two more sons. Her two sons were:

• Issachar – She incorporated the word hire in his name, as if the decision she made with Rachel led to having additional children.
• Zebulon – From her words again is seen the insecurity that she felt in her relationship with Jacob.  She believed the sheer number of sons was payment to buy his loyalty.  Probably long before this she had given up on ever gaining the love that Jacob felt for Rachel.  That would never change.  She did believe, however, that he might live with her as father of the six sons she had given to him.

Finally after having six sons of her own a daughter was born to her.  Her name was Dinah.  Dinah would play a role in the future of Jacob’s family.

1. Why did Leah see the addition of thee more children as by the hand of God?
2. What does the naming of the boys tell us about what was going on in her life?
3. What are some of hurts that seem to still exist in the life of Leah?
4. What are the hurts  that still control your life?
5. What was her expectation of a relationship with Jacob?
6. How would her life change even if Jacob became a full time husband? 
7. What does this show about her relationship with her sister?

Genesis 30:22-24

In God’s timing Rachel was finally given a son.  Her response was twofold.  First, she affirmed that the son was from God.  With his birth the shame she had experienced for all the years of her marriage was gone.  Even with the birth of Joseph, she was not content because she immediately asked for another son.  Joseph’s name expressed her thought process.  His name carried with it the idea of, “The Lord shall add to me another son.”  At a later time God answered her prayer and gave her Benjamin.

1. Why would it take so long for Rachel to have children of her own?
2. What would you say that God was trying to do in the life of Rachel and Jacob with the delay in giving Rachel a son?
3. How was she after so many disappointments able to give God the credit for her son?
4. Why was she not satisfied with the birth of one son?
5. What did she mean by talking about the fact that her shame was removed?

You-

• Be aware when members of your family become competitive with each other to the detriment of family unity.
• Provide a climate by your behavior where love for each person is all important.  That love should manifest itself in ways that indicate it is unconditional for the whole family.  
• In times of joy and tribulation remember that God’s timing is perfect in dealing with every situation..
• Do not make decisions that put you ahead of God.
• Pray before making decisions.
• Do not allow emotions to be the determinate factor in making a decision?

We-

Sometimes we find ourselves in the midst of a bad situation, not of our own making. At some point someone acted in such a way that brought about conflict and chaos.  There are two paths that can be taken.  The first is we can become part of the problem by continuing to depart from all that God intends for us to be.  In Jacob’s family there was a lack of dependence on God or seeking of His guidance.  Like so many of us they plowed ahead making decisions based on jealousy and emotional needs.  Lacking was wisdom or discernment of the direction to take. 

The second path that can be taken is the high road of life.  Rather than continuing to wallow in the troubles in which we find ourselves we need to look for God size solutions. We faced with any dilemma our first act is to fall on our knees and ask God if we are part of the problem seeking forgiveness.  With the boldness of God we are not to withdraw but deal with the problem head on.  Paul in Philippians 4 was aware of strife between two godly women, Euodia and Syntche.  He knew if allowed to continue it would divide the church so he called on the two to resolve their differences with the guidance of the leadership of the church so that unity would once again prevail.  We can only do this if we are willing to listen to God and follow His direction.

 

Additional Notes:

BL-   We studied Genesis 30, in which Jacob’s ladies got down to the very serious business of producing heirs.  Rachel, now four sons behind her sister Leah, grew jealous and asked Jacob what he’s going to do about it! Jacob rightly pointed out that this matter was in God’s hands. That answer did not satisfy Rachel. Following in the errant footsteps of Jacob’s grandmother, Sarah, Rachel decided to help God out by giving her maid to Jacob.  Bilhah produced not one, but two sons, whom Rachel named “Dan,” meaning “He has vindicated me,” and “Naphtali,” meaning “my struggle.”  Leah, in fear of losing her trump card, then gave her maid to Jacob, and Zilpah had two sons–“Gad,” meaning “good fortune,” and “Asher,” meaning “happy.”  (Thus far, we have Leah 6–Rachel 2!)  Rachel was falling behind so she made a deal with Leah to secure some mandrakes, an ancient aphrodisiac, that Leah’s son had found.  Leah agreed to hand them over in exchange for a night with Jacob. The result of their encounter was “Issachar,” meaning “reward.”  Then Leah bore Jacob yet another son whom named “Zebulun,” meaning “honor.”  Lastly, she had a daughter, Dinah, who would play an important part in a later chapter. Not to be outdone, Rachel finally had a child of her own. She named him Joseph because she believed that God had taken away her disgrace. Following Joseph’s birth, Jacob asks Laban for leave to go back home. He was now a man with two wives, two concubines, and twelve children, but still had no property or wealth to show for himself.  Laban, who is smart enough to realize that Jacob was his ticket to success, begged Jacob to stay.  The two men finally work out a way to pay him for his efforts.  He was to give Jacob all the speckled and spotted lambs and goats, which were the less desirable animals, from his flocks and keep the rest for himself.  Jacob accepted, and then through a strange combination of divine influence and superstitious remedies, he influenced the flocks and herds to produce a bumper crop of strong, healthy animals!  Using the strange methods the Bible says, Jacob grew exceedingly prosperous–and pretty soon, Paddam Aram was not big enough to hold both Jacob and Laban. Jacob, it seemed, was finally learning to do things God’s way.  He found out it is always the best way!  If only he had figured it out twenty years before. Rachel, it seemed, had yet learned her lesson, but it was coming! 

C-Because Rachel could not have children she gave Bilhah to Jacob as his wife to bear a child for her.  Bilhah had sons who were named Dan and Napthali. (Gen. 30:1-8)

C-Not to be out done Leah, when she stopped bearing, got into the act and gave Zilpah to Jacob as a wife.  Zilpah bore two sons in Leah’s name, Gad and Asher. (Gen. 30:9-13)

C-Once again Leah began to have children.  She had two more sons and called them Issachar and Zebulun.  She also had a daughter and named here Dinah.  At this time Leah thought sure that the relationship between she and Jacob would surely change because she had given him six sons and a daughter.  (Gen. 30:16-22)

C-Finally Rachel conceived and gave birth to Joseph.  We may ask, why did God wait before allowing her to conceive?  God’s timing is perfect.  The child of Jacob’s old age would one day preserve his family in Egypt.  (Gen. 30:22-24)

C-In the naming of Joseph Rachel gives us a glimpse of human nature. Even having Joseph brought to light hear desire to have additional children. Her response upon his birth seems to be a strange one.  She said, “May the Lord give me another son,” which is in the Hebrew Joseph.  It would seem that one who had waited for a child would be filled with joy at his birth and not looking beyond caring for him. It appears from this brief glimpse into her thinking that we might conclude that how no matter fulfilling we might think an event to be, man is never satisfied totally with the status quo. (Gen. 30:24)