Women in Discipleship (sm)
Women in Discipleship (sm)

meeting weekly

studying God’s Word daily

praying continually

sharing wholeheartedly

 
.
home page    e-mail us    donate online

events . . . . . . .

updates . . . . . .

resources  . . . .

Discipleship Materials
Online Bible Study
Links

opportunities . .

about us  . . . . .

 
Rachel and Leah - Day 5

Study Navigation

. .
From Barrenness to Blessedness
Sarai - Sarah - Week 1
  • Day 1 (Monday)
  • Day 2 (Tuesday)
  • Day 3 (Wednesday)
  • Day 4 (Thursday)
  • Day 5 (Friday)
  • Day 6 (Saturday)

  • Rebekah - Week 2
  • Day 1 (Monday)
  • Day 2 (Tuesday)
  • Day 3 (Wednesday)
  • Day 4 (Thursday)
  • Day 5 (Friday)

  • Rachel and Leah - Week 3
  • Day 1 (Monday)
  • Day 2 (Tuesday)
  • Day 3 (Wednesday)
  • Day 4 (Thursday)
  • Day 5 (Friday)

  • Manoah's wife; Hannah - Week 4
  • Day 1 (Monday)
  • Day 2 (Tuesday)
  • Day 3 (Wednesday)
  • Day 4 (Thursday)
  • Day 5 (Friday)

  • Elizabeth - Week 5
  • Day 1 (Monday)
  • Day 2 (Tuesday)
  • Day 4 (Thursday)
  • Day 5 (Friday)

  • Israel, The Church, the Bride of Christ - Week 6
  • Day 1 (Monday)
  • Day 2 (Tuesday)
  • Day 3 (Wednesday)
  • Day 4 (Thursday)
  • Day 5 (Friday)
  •   << this study's index
      << all studies' index
    . .

    E-mail this page to a friendView a printable version of this pageSend us feedback


    DAY FIVE

    1. Read Genesis 33:1-17. In what order did Jacob send his family to meet Esau?

    2. What does this tell you about the importance of these women and their children according to Jacob?

    3. Read Genesis 35:16-20, and tell what happened to Rachel.

      This is a sad closure to a life of many sorrows and joys for Rachel. She died giving birth to her second son. She wanted to name him Benoni, which means "son of my sorrow." However, Jacob gave him the name Benjamin, which means "son of the right hand."
      Jacob dearly loved Rachel. This sad parting was very difficult for him. In Genesis 48:7 he said, "Rachel died, to my sorrow." He buried her at the place where she died, and her tomb became a memorial in Israel. (I Sam. 10:2)

    4. Where was Leah buried? How does this show that she was honored in death, as compared to Rachel? (Gen. 49:29-31)


    LESSONS AND APPLICATIONS

    1. God is fair, just, and merciful. (Rom. 9:8-18) How can you begin today to show a more fair attitude in your home, work, neighborhood, and church?

    2. God is the author and finisher of life. (Acts 17:24-28) What are you doing today that is life-enhancing to the Kingdom of God?



    CONCLUSION

    Jacob had a life filled with controversy, yet God blessed him richly. For Rachel, Jacob's first love, life was troublesome. In her flesh she struggled with barrenness and idol worship. Leah's life was also filled with sorrow and being unloved. All three of these people dealt with sin issues, and each was held accountable for them. It was only through God's mercy that they received tremendous blessings.
    The bickering and jealousy between Rachel and Leah over children was laid to rest in God's perfect timing. It took having children and valuing that procreation miracle to change their hearts. The timing was perfect, and it was then that God called Jacob home to Canaan.

    Leah had to live as second best because of the trickery of her father on Jacob's wedding day. Rachel had Jacob's love but suffered from a closed womb. This was unbearable for her, and in her haste, she depended on plants and a servant for her fulfillment. God had His time for her reproach to be healed. It took longer because of her self-willed solutions.

    The picture of Rachel weeping in Jeremiah 31:15 is symbolic of Israel weeping because of its barrenness. We'll study more on that in another lesson. Jacob (later named Israel by God) is symbolic of the nation of Israel in the prophetic passages of Scripture. Hundreds of years later, the nation of Israel turned stone cold toward the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The prophets said later that the land cried because of the barrenness of God in the hearts and lives of the people. The idol incident with Rachel was indicative of what would come later because of such mixed religious ideas, false religions, and unbelief in God.

    Jacob was cleansed because his heart was right. The nation of Israel grew from Jacob's 12 sons into 12 tribes. They formed a nation, and forevermore Rachel and Leah are known as the mothers of these tribes.


    THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL(Jacob)

    Leah:  Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun
    Zilpah (Leah's maidservant):  Gad, Asher
    Bilhah (Rachel's maidservant):  Dan, Naphtali
    Rachel:  Joseph - (Ephraim & Manasseh), Benjamin


     

    E-mail this page to a friend E-mail this page to a friend View a printable version of this page Print this page Send us feedback Send us feedback
    ^ top ^

     
         

    PO Box 694, Goldenrod, FL 32733

    phone:  (407) 325-2986

    .

    © 2004-2024 Women in Discipleship, Inc. (sm) All rights reserved.

    e-mail us  SandyDavisWID@earthlink.net  |  privacy policy  |  site map

    MakingWebsites.net
    . . . . . . .