The story of family dispute, jealousy, and forgiveness.

Once upon a time in a faraway land of Canaan there lived a young man whose name was Jacob. He had a terrible dispute with his twin brother Esau who threatened to kill him.

The boys’ mother was so distraught about the strife in the family that she suggested that Jacob fled to her brother’s home in Haran until things settled at home.

When Jacob arrived in Haran, he fell in love with his uncle’s youngest daughter Rachel, who was very pretty.

Jacob’s love for Rachael was so great that he agreed to work for his uncle for seven years to marry her.

The labor was difficult and long but in Jacob’s eyes, the years appeared to pass quickly because of the wonderful reward at the end.

However, after the seven years were accomplished Jacob anxiously at the alter waiting for the hand of the bride to be placed in his.

How lovely she looked! He thought as his heart leaped joyously in his chest as he looked at his slender bride gliding graciously to his side. He felt sure that her beautiful face was lit with joy behind the shrouded veil.

Jacob held his bride’s soft hands tightly as the lengthy ceremony flashed by in a blur of emotions.

Finally, they were alone in the wedding chamber. Seven years of built-up emotions and seven years of unsatisfied desire overtook Jacob and he became lost in the rapture of his love.

The sun shone brightly through the thin window curtains. As the warmth of the sun hit his face Jacob stirred contentedly and turned to gaze at his wife’s beautiful face who was snoring softly beside him.

What a shock Jacob received when he saw that the face beside him was not that of his beloved Rachael but her plane sister Leah.

Jacob was so angry that he began to accuse a bewildered Leah of killing her sister to take her place.

Fortunately, the bride’s father who was waiting outside by the door heard the commotion and rushed inside to calm Jacob and informed him of his deceit.

This was a continuation of the great deception that plagued Jacob’s life.

Jacob slumped to the floor in defeat weeping bitterly.

Laban had another solution. He loved free labor so he told Jacob that he would give him his heart’s desire if he worked for him for another seven years.

Of course Jacob agreed. He loved Rachael and refused to let anyone else have her.

Jacob looked at his bride who was weeping dejectedly but felt no pity for her. Despite the rapturous night of love that he had with her he felt his heart hardened towards her.

Jacob suspected that she was secretly in love with him all these years so why would she refused to take part in the deceitful scheme.

The seven years flew quickly by and Jacob finally received the love of his life. Jacob showered Rachael with numerous gifts and acts of affection while he blatantly ignored the yearning in the eyes of his first wife.

Of course, Jacob still enjoyed the softness of his first wife. She loved him with a passion and he took advantage of it.

But God! He is a God of justice.

God saw the injustices in Jacob’s household and closed Rachael’s womb while He opened the womb of Leah.

The Lord gave Leah three bouncing baby boys, and each of them came with a message from God to her.

So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, “The Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now, therefore, my husband will love me.” Then she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. 

(Genesis 29:32-34) NKJV)

Reuben means “Behold a son!”

Simeon means “Heard”

Levi means “Joined to.” In the sense of set apart to be joined to God

The combined message from God was, “I, the Lord your God love you despite your afflictions, and have heard your cry and answered your prayers. I have set you apart to love and trust me because I am more than enough for you.”

Read also: There Are Hidden Treasures In Your House

Leah, unfortunately, missed this message from the Lord and thought that because she gave her husband three healthy boys, she would gain his love and support.

But the babies did not change her husband’s heart towards her. Jacob continued to love Rachel even though she was barren and was stigmatized as a curse in those days.

Finally, at the birth of her fourth son, Leah understood the message that God was sending her through her children.

Leah gave birth to her fourth bouncing baby boy and declared, “Now I will praise the Lord!” (Genesis 29:35). She named her son Judah.

Leah finally submitted to God and was contented in His love. So she praised the Lord despite her loveless marriage. Then she rested from childbearing.

Leah was happily giving birth to strong healthy boys while Rachael was seething with jealousy. The abundant love of a husband could not fertilize her eggs.

Rachael was still lost in herself and did not recognize that only God could open and close the womb. She blamed her husband for her childlessness and she hated her sister for her productivity.

Division and bitterness reigned in Jacob’s home.

After many years of childlessness, Rachael decided to take matters into her own hands. She decided to give her handmade to her husband so that she could bear children for her.

Rachael’s handmaid gave her two sons, and sure enough, they also came with a message from God to the household.

The first son that was born through the surrogate mother, Rachael named Dan which means “A Judge.”

The second son was named Naphtali which means wrestling.

Rachael wrestled enviously with her sister and finally received two sons but she felt that God had judged her.

But God was sending a message to Jacob that if he did not put his household in order ther will be judgment upon him.

The family missed this message from God and jealousy once more developed in Leah’s heart and she decided to use her handmaid as a surrogate mother also.

Leah’s maid gave birth to two sons – Gad meaning “troop” and Asher meaning “happy.’ Leah was now happy becuase she had a troop of men.

Leah’s happiness overflowed when she once again conceived and gave birth to her fifth child, Issachar, which means “there is recompense.”

She also gave birth to her sixth son whom she named Zebulun, meaning “exalted.”

Leah felt that God had recompensed her for her loveless marriage by exalting her above her rival.

But, God was saying something else and this was realized in the name of her only daughter, Dinah, which means “Judgement.”

God had pronounced judgment upon Jacob’s household because he refused to lead his family in the way of the Lord. He became complacent and allowed his wives to make decisions based on their emotions.

Nevertheless, God promised Abraham that he would create a nation from His loins, and the birth of this promise was manifested through Jacob.

The Lord finally opened the womb of Rachael and she gave birth to a son whom she named Joseph, which means “Jehovah has added”

Rachael recognized that God had given her this son and he would grant her more.

However, deception and idolatry still lingered in Jacob’s home. He unknowingly declared the judgment of death upon his wife after she had stolen her father’s idols.

Rachael died during the birth of her second son and in great pain and bitterness she called him Benoi which means “son of my sorrow.”

Immediately Jacob rose up to his duty as a father and priest of his household and said, “Your name is Benjamin – “son of the right hand.”

Jacob had a troubled but fruitful household. He was plagued with his past deceits and the strife with his brother Esau. He needed a new life and a new name.

So he wrestled with God and prevailed and God called his name Israel because “as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” (Genesis 32:28 KJV).

It was this new man who became the priest of his family and peacemaker to his brother.

Jacob continued to have trials in his life but he now learned to rest in God and to trust in His unfailing love and mercy.

Jacob had twelve sons, and they were the forefathers of the twelve tribes of Israel, which gave birth of a great nation.

if you have a troubled household you can learn from the life of Jacob. Pray and ask the Lord to give you a new name. that will change your destiny to greatness.

References: Genesis 29 – 35; 38; Psalms 127:3