Jacob and Rachel’s relationship, although reveled in because the best biblical romance, endured many difficulties. Jacob labored seven years for Rachel’s hand. When the seven years ended, Jacob was able to marry Rachel, but Rachel’s father, Laban, tricked Jacob and gave him Leah (Rachel’s sister) as a substitute. This triggered Jacob to work seven extra years to marry Rachel. Rachel and Leah turned Jacob’s wives, however Jacob all the time most well-liked Rachel.
This biblical cleaning soap opera showcases three truths we will study from Jacob and Rachel’s relationship:
1. Favoritism is Mistaken
The Bible states Jacob cherished Rachel greater than Leah: “his love for Rachel was larger than his love for Leah. And he labored for Laban one other seven years” (Genesis 29:30b). But, the Bible tells us straight, “My brothers and sisters, believers in our superb Lord Jesus Christ should not present favoritism” (James 2:1). Jacob confirmed favoritism in his relationship with Rachel, although he was married to each sisters.
God by no means desires us to indicate favoritism in any of our human relationships. Whereas polygamy is fallacious, Jacob shouldn’t have proven favoritism between the 2. As a consequence of his blatant favoritism, we see bitterness creep up in Leah’s coronary heart. Naturally, she begins to doubt her value whereas dwelling in Rachel’s shadow.
In our personal relationships, we should always solely have one companion, and we should always not specific favoritism. Typically in relationships, companions can evaluate their present companion with a previous companion and even present favoritism towards a previous companion over their present companion. God doesn’t need us to do that. As a substitute of dividing our pursuits, we have to give attention to one companion, the present companion, reasonably than evaluating them to someone else.
In the identical manner, outdoors of romantic relationships, we should always not present favoritism throughout the household. Sadly, many mother and father play favorites with their youngsters, or youngsters play favorites with their mother and father. Buddies play favorites, lecturers have their pets, and coaches have their number-one Allstars. As Christians, we by no means must play favorites or present favoritism. We have to love all individuals as Jesus says, “A brand new command I provide you with: Love each other. As I’ve cherished you, so you need to love each other” (John 13:34).
2. Polygamy is Mistaken
A second fact we will study from Jacob and Rachel’s relationship is that polygamy is fallacious. As beforehand talked about within the first level, Jacob confirmed favoritism to Rachel over Leah. If a person has a number of spouses, favoritism is certain to outcome. This is without doubt one of the many explanation why polygamy is fallacious. Jacob was married to each Leah and Rachel, however originally of creation, God designed marriage to be between one man and one lady (Genesis 2:24). Something outdoors of this goes towards God’s design for marriage.
Polygamy brings many issues right into a relationship, as proven all through Jacob’s relationship with Rachel and Leah. As Christians, we should always by no means endorse polygamy. Just because it was within the Outdated Testomony doesn’t make it okay. God by no means tells us polygamy is true. God particularly tells us we should always solely have one husband or one spouse. Polygamy has been accepted by many false perception programs, together with the Church of the Latter Day Saints, formally generally known as the Mormon Church, however this isn’t biblical, nor are their different doctrines.
In {our relationships}, we should guarantee we solely have one companion. We must always not have a number of husbands or a number of wives. We have to give attention to one companion—not a number of companions. Even within the case of courting, a Christian ought to solely date one individual at a time. The aim of courting is to see if the opposite individual can be a possible individual to marry. If a person is courting a number of individuals, it will possibly trigger division, confusion, and a scarcity of faithfulness. These considerations occurred between Jacob and Rachel and solely created pressure and hostility.
3. Marriage Should not Be Primarily based on Bodily Look
A 3rd fact we will study from Jacob and Rachel’s relationship is that marriage shouldn’t be based mostly on bodily look. Rachel was very stunning, and that made Jacob drawn to her. The Bible tells us, “Leah had weak eyes, however Rachel had a beautiful determine and was stunning” (Genesis 29:17). Since Rachel was stunning, Jacob cherished her greater than Leah. Regardless of Rachel’s bodily look, we’re by no means informed she was a follower of God. In reality, the Bible tells us Rachel took one in all her father’s family gods along with her after they left (Genesis 31:19,34).
Proverbs 31:30 says, “Appeal is misleading, and wonder is fleeting; however a lady who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Leah was a lady who cherished God and adopted Him. She known as out to Him in her misery, and He heard her. Whereas Rachel was stunning on the surface, we’re by no means informed she was stunning on the within. From God’s eyes, Leah was stunning as a result of she cherished Him, adopted Him, and obeyed Him.
Marriage shouldn’t be based mostly on bodily look as a result of love isn’t based mostly on an individual’s fleeting options. Once you love someone, it’s due to the character inside—not due to how “fairly” or “good-looking” they’re. As a substitute, we love those that are type, caring, and compassionate. It doesn’t matter as a lot what they appear to be. Certain, a horny individual is sweet to have a look at, but when we cease and suppose, most of us would favor to spend time with somebody we genuinely cared about, whose coronary heart and soul was stunning no matter their outward look.
Concerning relationships, we should love others as a result of we worth them as an individual created in God’s picture—not simply because they give the impression of being enticing on the surface. If you end up in a relationship, attempt to focus extra on the interior great thing about the person reasonably than their outward seems. The Apostle Peter tells us, “Your magnificence shouldn’t come from outward adornment, corresponding to elaborate hairstyles and the carrying of gold jewellery or tremendous garments. Relatively, it must be that of your interior self, the unfading great thing about a delicate and quiet spirit, which is of nice value in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:3-4).
Relationships must be constructed upon God and a biblical definition of affection. Christians shouldn’t have a relationship with those that don’t know God, nor ought to we’ve relationships outdoors the confines of biblical love. It’s extremely believable that Jacob and Rachel’s relationship was constructed on lust as a substitute of actual love. In {our relationships}, we should guarantee they’re constructed upon God, His Phrase, and true sacrificial love.
The world has blended the definition of affection and lust to be the identical, but they’re opposites. Lust doesn’t final, however love does. Jesus warns us towards lust, “However I let you know that anybody who seems at a lady lustfully has already dedicated adultery along with her in his coronary heart” (Matthew 5:28). As demonstrated by Jesus’ phrases, lust isn’t a superb factor because it results in discontentment, comparability, and sexual sin (each within the thoughts, coronary heart, and physique). For a relationship to final, romantic or not, it should be constructed on the inspiration of God’s nice, sacrificial love for us.
Whereas Jacob and Rachel are well-known within the research of theology, their relationship had many difficulties, which God desires us to keep away from. We will study from Jacob and Rachel’s relationship that we should always not present favoritism, observe polygamy, or base marriage on bodily look. If we perceive these truths and apply them, it should assist us in our personal relationships. God desires us to have wholesome relationships in-built true, life-giving love.
Photograph Credit score: ©Pexels/Frans Van Heerden
Vivian Bricker loves Jesus, finding out the Phrase of God, and serving to others of their stroll with Christ. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts and Grasp’s diploma in Christian Ministry with a deep tutorial emphasis in theology. Her favourite issues to do are spending time along with her household and buddies, studying, and spending time outdoors. When she isn’t writing, she is embarking on different adventures.