Genesis 29:28 – 30:6

²⁸ Jacob did what Laban asked, and completed Leah’s week. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife also.

²⁹ (Laban had given his female servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.)

³⁰ So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban for another seven years.

³¹ When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.

³² And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she called his name Reuben,[1] for she said, “Because the LORD has looked upon my trouble; for now my husband will love me.”

³³ She conceived again and gave birth to a son, and said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon.[2]

³⁴ Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have given birth to three sons for him.” Therefore his name was called Levi.[3]

³⁵ And she conceived again and gave birth to a son, and said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Therefore she called his name Judah.[4] Then she stopped bearing.

^30:1 When Rachel saw that she had not given birth to children for Jacob, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I will die!”

² Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”

³ Then she said, “Here is my servant Bilhah; go in to her, so that she may give birth on my behalf, that even I may have children through her.”

⁴ So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her.

⁵ And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son.

⁶ Then Rachel said, “God has judged me, and has also heard my voice and given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan.[5] _________________________________________

thrift shopping

Five boys are born into Jacob’s clan – so far; four by Leah, and one by Bilhah, Rachel’s servant. Each of these men will grow up knowing his name, and at some point, will also become aware that he was named in a sort-of contest. Their mothers were in a battle with each other for the love and respect of their father. They each were born into that context, and were part of that legacy, whether they wanted to be or not. Their names reflected a very partial understanding of what God was doing.

Whether our names reflect it or not, we are all born into an environment like that. There is something used and broken in each of our lives – usually several things. The grace of God is seen in his joining in the contest. He actually keeps Rachel from having children at first. He grants Leah children precisely because she is loved less. God is not taking sides as much as he is taking part.

The LORD does not choose perfect people from perfect families to be a part of his future kingdom. He does not shop in the posh specialty stores for souls that are just right. His grace visits the thrift shop and chooses to love the castaways.

LORD, when the enemy accuses us of being too imperfect for your kingdom, we will remember this dysfunctional family that you chose to bless. Thank you for your grace.

[1] Reuben: See, a son!

[2] Simeon: hearing.

[3] Levi: attached.

[4] Judah: praise.

[5] Dan: judge.