Rachel & Bilhah
“Then Rachel told him, “Take my maid, Bilhah, and sleep with her. She will bear children for me, and through her, I can have a family, too.” So Rachel gave her servant, Bilhah, to Jacob as a wife, and he slept with her. Bilhah became pregnant and presented him with a son.” Genesis 30:3-5
In this story, Rachel is engulfed in despair because she cannot conceive. Her heart is heavy with jealousy towards her sister Leah, who has already given her husband four children. The scripture tells us that Jacob was utterly devoted to Rachel, working tirelessly for fourteen years to prove his love to her. His affection for her was so intense that those years seemed to fly by.
Due to her inability to bear children, Rachel resolves to take extreme measures to change her circumstances. She struggled to believe that Jacob could love her despite her perceived shortcomings. She believed she had to prove her worth to him. Doesn’t this sound familiar? We often fall for the lie that we must earn His love through our actions. This falsehood drove Rachel to a deep desperation that didn’t include the “will of her Father.” Our enemy frequently baits us on our flaws, making us feel unworthy of fully receiving Christ’s love.
Jacob adored Rachel despite her barrenness, yet she remained fixated on her inability to give him children. Are we, like Rachel, missing this vital truth about our inherent worth? The scripture reminds us,”…We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Eph. 2:10) “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So, we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.” (Eph. 1:4-6). Jesus loves us unconditionally, regardless of the emptiness or inadequacies we may experience at times.
This constant struggle prevented Rachel from being the supportive helpmate Jacob needed. Instead, she manipulated him into being with another woman, all in her quest to have children of her own. Driven by her intense desperation, she pleaded with Jacob to be with Bilhah, hoping to bear him children. Already struggling with the challenges of sharing her husband with her sister, she thought it was wise to introduce another wife into the mix.
Why do we feel compelled to help God with His plans? Often, our attempts only complicate situations and create more chaos in our lives. Instead, we should trust in His divine will for our lives. I encourage you to, take a moment and approach God in prayer and seek His guidance regarding His plan for your life. Be attentive and avoid focusing solely on what you wish to hear. Remember, we have the Holy Spirit but we also have our inner self guide along with the enemy trying to steer us. Which of these influences holds the most sway in your life? If you are unsure, reflect on whether your true desires align with the teachings of the Word of God. Ignoring this can lead us to make decisions that claim “the Holy Spirit led me to… .” when, in truth, it was our desires at play. This can unintentionally harm those around us, similar to the situation with Bilhah.
What can we say about Bilhah, the maidservant who became one of Jacob’s concubine wives? She was more than just a servant; her life was profoundly shaped by the circumstances of her mistress. Bilhah faced the heart wrenching experience of having her children taken from her, caught in a web of complicated relationships with another woman’s husband. She encounters feelings of lost, invisibility, and a sense of worthlessness beyond her role as a servant.
Often, our thoughts can easily justify the pain we inflict on others, keeping us focused on ourselves rather than the needs of those around us. Take this time and reflect on those you might have inadvertently hurt in your quest for love, wealth, power, or even through the pull of your desires. Take this time and acknowledge our responsibility within our self-centeredness.
In our moments of desperation, we often overlook the possible consequences of our decisions. By recognizing our true worth, we can sidestep unnecessary pain. Are there decisions you’re making now, that might create challenges down the road? Trusting God can be tough when it seems like nothing is unfolding, but the weight of managing the repercussions of taking matters into our own hands is even more burdensome. Resist the temptation in thinking that God has forgotten you. Instead, embrace the patience and bravery needed to wait for His perfect timing. Don’t allow the mistakes of others to stain your conscience. The scripture reminds us, “Show your fear of God by not taking advantage of each other. I am the Lord your God.” (Lev. 25:17) Who do you fear or have reverence to? Your pride or Christ?”
Exploitation remains a reality even in our present day, whether we choose to recognize it or not. When we yearn for something deeply, we often go to extreme measures to achieve it, overlooking the consequences for those around us. This pattern can be seen in various aspects of life, including families, friendships, workplaces, religious communities, and marriages. Yet, if I were to ask the question, “Has anyone been hurt by your actions?” many of us might answer no, believing our “Good intentions” shield us from causing harm. Being in a state of desperation can lead to dangerous choices, pushing us to act in ways we never thought possible in our quest to alter our situation. So, What currently drives your sense of desperation? Christ’s Will for your life or your desperations?
PRAYER:
Father, your words remind me, “…I will be accepted if I do what is right. But if I refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control me. But I must subdue it and be its master.” (Gen. 4:7) I seek your forgiveness for letting my selfishness and understandable desperation lead me astray. I mistakenly believe I can manage the whispers of my pride. I repent for allowing my pride to deceive me into thinking that if my plans fail, I can simply wait for Your guidance after exhausting all my options. Father, forgive me for using You as my plan B, instead of completely surrendering to You.
Father, I seek your forgiveness for the pain I’ve caused, for using and abusing….. and I repent for my wrongful intention of …….. I choose to leave these burdens at the foot of the cross. I ask you to dispose of them like yesterday’s trash, ensuring I can never reclaim them again! Holy Spirit, I invite you to fill my home (body/soul) with your divine presence, so I can rely entirely on you! I give you permission to align and direct my desperation! Teach me to cultivate a deep hunger and thirst for living in your kingdom! In Jesus name! Amen.
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