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Women in the Bible
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Lesson 49: by turtle30c
If you missed last weeks lesson please read lesson 48 by clicking the link above. Now many might
not like how I describe Jacobs woman problems. In fact some men might say lucky Jacob, but we
must realize sin was from the beginning and God law was one man one wife, though man law was
multiple wives. Meaning we all sin. The problem sin often causes is degrading of woman and the
wars of greed and even lust. Jacob may of enjoyed being fought over but I have to wonder how
he dealt psychologically to it. Though He seemed happy of the children he had, how was it
effecting him ego wise. Yet the Bible really does not say of Jacob’s boasting in a derogatory
manner one has to think, he was proud of his offspring as any papa would be. Yet he has a sex
war between his wives going.
Proverbs 25:24 KJV
(24) It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide
house.
Proverbs 21:9 KJV
(9) It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
King Solomon in the book of proverbs speaks of warring woman. That it was better to sleep on
the roof in the elements then to deal with the woman of the house. Solomon had over 800 wives.
He would know. Yet in Jacobs case it was more like he was a stud used for his women and could
be barter for his services. Old Testament soap opera in a since. People say oh you should not
bring these things out. Fact is it in the Bible, people being human. It never makes it right to
disobey God’s original command. Yet we see man and woman not always living up to their full
potential spiritually. And yet God still loves Jacob. Yet it does not give him a license to sin. If
anything from the story in Genesis 30 is the fact God loved Jacob and keep His promise despite
Jacob’s failures spiritually and victories worldly. At this time we must understand Jacob had not
fully surrender to God. He recognized God at Bethel, but did not make Him Lord until He
returns to Bethel. Yet the Lord calls Jacob to return in this chapter. I suggest you take time to
read this whole chapter I am not going piece by peace about the women fighting over Jacob. I let
you read it for yourself. I really just want to bring to light God loves you no matter at whatever
point you are in faith in Him.
Genesis 30:1-27 KJV
(1) And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said
unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
(2) And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath
withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?
(3) And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that
I may also have children by her.
(4) And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her.
(5) And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son.
(6) And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a
son: therefore called she his name Dan.
(7) And Bilhah Rachel's maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son.
(8) And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed:
and she called his name Naphtali.
(9) When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to
wife.
(10) And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a son.
(11) And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.
(12) And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a second son.
(13) And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name
Asher.
(14) And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and
brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's
mandrakes.
(15) And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest
thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to
night for thy son's mandrakes.
(16) And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said,
Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay
with her that night.
(17) And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.
(18) And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my
husband: and she called his name Issachar.
(19) And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son.
(20) And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with
me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.
(21) And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah.
(22) And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.
(23) And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:
(24) And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.
(25) And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me
away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country.
(26) Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou
knowest my service which I have done thee.
(27) And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have
learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.
Laban had been blessed not only to see his grandchildren but the wealth he gain from Jacob’s
experience as a herdsmen. And recognized the blessing came from God. Jacob would use his
experience and craftiness as a business man to rob Laban of some of his wealth. And though it
was not thievery, it is however craftiness like this that causes friction in business.
Rachel and Leah, were also sinners for even bartering over the husband and giving him their
handmaidens, yet we must remember they did not necessarily serve Lord God. In fact on the
journey to Jacob’s homeland Rachel would hide the idols of her father’s house.
Genesis 31:32 KJV
(32) With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou
what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.
The significance here in this chapter 30 is the fact the Jacob’s presence testified of God to Laban,
yet Laban still worship other gods. Despite your ancestory history and despite who you are, you
can make a choice for Jesus. It might take time to get rid of those things in your life that do not
please God, but He will enable you to do so. Something God will take away and other things will
be handed over to God. Where it begins is a confession of guilt to God and asking Jesus to be
your Savior.
Romans 10:9-12 KJV
(9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that
God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
(10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation.
(11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
(12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich
unto all that call upon him.
Matthew 4:17 KJV
(17) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand.
Luke 13:3 KJV
(3) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Acts 3:19 KJV
(19) Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of
refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
God loves you has you are. Turn from sin and follow Jesus today.
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