Lesson 28<\/p>\n
Competition At Its Worse<\/p>\n
Genesis 30<\/p>\n
Me-<\/p>\n
As far back as I can remember I have been competitive.\u00a0 I have not liked to lose at anything.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 In sports it was the same way, I either wanted to be on the winning team or cheer for the best.\u00a0 That is one reason I have always rooted for the New York Yankees because they have been a great team for a long time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The older I have gotten I have come to realize that I cannot always win.\u00a0 There are things that are completely out my control.\u00a0 One of the lessons learned, which has not been easy, is I do not have to get in the last word in a discussions.\u00a0 Sometimes another person makes a point that just cannot be disputed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The type of competition mentioned above is not bad in itself.\u00a0 However, if it brings on irrational behavior or division between parties it has gone too far.\u00a0 My hope and desire as I get older is to understand that God does admire passion in people. \u00a0It however must be under His control and direction.\u00a0 Competition unrestrained will bring about damage in the life of someone.<\/p>\n
We-<\/p>\n
It is said of Christians, that we are the only ones who shoot our own.\u00a0 Paul wrote in Galatians, \u201cFor the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, \u2018You shall love your neighbor as yourself.\u2019 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.\u201d\u00a0 (Galatians 5:15)\u00a0 Sadly, we do this all the time.\u00a0 How, may you ask?\u00a0 It occurs because we are in competition with each other to achieve our own agendas.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 We do this when, even subconsciously, we do not want others to be doing better than we are.\u00a0 In a subtle way this comes out when we brag, yes brag, about the number of members we have.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 The sooner we learn that we are on the same team the sooner we can focus on what God has called us to be.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 In either case the competition only brought with it bitterness, jealousy and pain.\u00a0 The actions of the adults would impact the family of Jacob for the rest of his life.<\/p>\n
God-<\/p>\n
Genesis 30:1-24<\/p>\n
In the following verses there was a conflict going on that would have long term consequences.\u00a0 It involved the four women in Jacob\u2019s life, but primarily it was between Leah and Rachel.\u00a0 Although the interaction is between the two sisters one almost has to wonder where Jacob is during all of this time.\u00a0 The tension, jealousy and mistrust occurring was becoming a way of life for the two.\u00a0 It would eventually affect the children in an adverse way, but that part of the narrative will come later.<\/p>\n
Jacob of course was present but appeared almost oblivious to what was going on around him in his own family.\u00a0 He seems to have done better tending the sheep than dealing with squabble of his wives.\u00a0 As the head of the family he had responsibility for the climate that existed.<\/p>\n
Again one must wonder if he had not inherited the trait from his father of wanting to avoid conflict at all costs.\u00a0 Even in his negotiations with Laban, he gave in to the schemes and deceptions without holding his father-in-law responsible for his actions.\u00a0 Other than his one comment to Rachel, he allowed his family to be torn apart and did nothing about it.<\/p>\n
By remaining neutral Jacob produced an environment where all involvement would not know where they stood.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Frustration, jealousy and confusion would result from his non-involvement.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
Genesis 30:1-2<\/p>\n
Rachel\u2019s reaction to what was taking place was natural.\u00a0 Like any woman of her day, she wanted to have children.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Unlike Isaac who prayed that Rebekah might have children Jacob only rebuked Rachel in her time of hurt and frustration.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
Genesis 30:3-6<\/p>\n
Like Sarah before her, Rachel took matters into her own hands.\u00a0 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\u2019s wishes. Indeed Bilhah did provide Jacob with a son.\u00a0 Rachel named him Dan concluding that God had vindicated her and had listened to her petition.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
Genesis 30:7-8<\/p>\n
Rachel was not satisfied with the one son.\u00a0 Again Bilhad conceived and had another son.\u00a0 Her name for the second son indicated what was truly on her mind.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 The boy born to Bilhah was named Naphtali which literally means, \u201cWrestlings with God.\u201d<\/p>\n
Genesis 30:9-13<\/p>\n
Not to be outdone and thinking the time of having children was over, Leah followed Rachel\u2019s example and gave Zilpah, her maid, to Jacob.\u00a0 Zilpah had two children. The first Leah named Gad which means fortunate.\u00a0 The second was named Asher.\u00a0 His name meant happy.\u00a0 In a way these two names were paradoxical.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Genesis 30:14-15<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 She actually accused her sister of stealing her husband.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Rachel was desperate and if the mandrakes would be a remedy to her situation she was willing to give up time with Jacob.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Genesis 30:16-21<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 Leah had two more sons. Her two sons were:<\/p>\n
Finally after having six sons of her own a daughter was born to her.\u00a0 Her name was Dinah.\u00a0 Dinah would play a role in the future of Jacob\u2019s family.<\/p>\n
Genesis 30:22-24<\/p>\n
In God\u2019s timing Rachel was finally given a son.\u00a0 Her response was twofold.\u00a0 First, she affirmed that the son was from God.\u00a0 With his birth the shame she had experienced for all the years of her marriage was gone.\u00a0 Even with the birth of Joseph, she was not content because she immediately asked for another son.\u00a0 Joseph\u2019s name expressed her thought process.\u00a0 His name carried with it the idea of, \u201cThe Lord shall add to me another son.\u201d\u00a0 At a later time God answered her prayer and gave her Benjamin.<\/p>\n
You-<\/p>\n
We-<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 There are two paths that can be taken.\u00a0 The first is we can become part of the problem by continuing to depart from all that God intends for us to be.\u00a0 In Jacob\u2019s family there was a lack of dependence on God or seeking of His guidance.\u00a0 Like so many of us they plowed ahead making decisions based on jealousy and emotional needs.\u00a0 Lacking was wisdom or discernment of the direction to take.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The second path that can be taken is the high road of life.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 With the boldness of God we are not to withdraw but deal with the problem head on.\u00a0 Paul in Philippians 4 was aware of strife between two godly women, Euodia and Syntche.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 We can only do this if we are willing to listen to God and follow His direction.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Additional Notes:<\/p>\n
BL- \u00a0 We studied Genesis 30, in which Jacob’s ladies got down to the very serious business of producing heirs.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Bilhah produced not one, but two sons, whom Rachel named “Dan,” meaning “He has vindicated me,” and “Naphtali,” meaning “my struggle.”\u00a0 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.”\u00a0 (Thus far, we have Leah 6–Rachel 2!)\u00a0 Rachel was falling behind so she made a deal with Leah to secure some mandrakes, an ancient aphrodisiac, that\u00a0Leah’s son had found.\u00a0 Leah agreed to hand them over in exchange for a night with Jacob. The result of\u00a0their encounter was “Issachar,” meaning “reward.”\u00a0 Then Leah bore Jacob yet another son whom named “Zebulun,” meaning “honor.”\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Laban, who is smart enough to realize that Jacob was his ticket to success, begged Jacob to stay.\u00a0 The two men finally work out a way to pay him for his efforts.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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!\u00a0 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.\u00a0 He found out it is always the best way!\u00a0 If only he had figured it out twenty years before. Rachel, it seemed, had yet learned her lesson, but it was coming!\u00a0<\/p>\n
C-Because Rachel could not have children she gave Bilhah to Jacob as his wife to bear a child for her.\u00a0 Bilhah had sons who were named Dan and Napthali. (Gen. 30:1-8)<\/p>\n
C-Not to be out done Leah, when she stopped bearing, got into the act and gave Zilpah to Jacob as a wife.\u00a0 Zilpah bore two sons in Leah\u2019s name, Gad and Asher. (Gen. 30:9-13)<\/p>\n
C-Once again Leah began to have children.\u00a0 She had two more sons and called them Issachar and Zebulun.\u00a0 She also had a daughter and named here Dinah.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 (Gen. 30:16-22)<\/p>\n
C-Finally Rachel conceived and gave birth to Joseph.\u00a0 We may ask, why did God wait before allowing her to conceive?\u00a0 God\u2019s timing is perfect.\u00a0 The child of Jacob\u2019s old age would one day preserve his family in Egypt.\u00a0 (Gen. 30:22-24)<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 She said, \u201cMay the Lord give me another son,\u201d which is in the Hebrew Joseph.\u00a0 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)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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Lesson 28 Competition At Its Worse Genesis 30 Me- As far back as I can remember I have been competitive.\u00a0 I have not liked to lose at anything.\u00a0 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=137"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":138,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137\/revisions\/138"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}