Lessons From The Chaos Series

:Genesis 29:31-30:24 Lessons from the chaos

Today we are covering a narrative of all the kids that Jacob had. Jacob had 13 kids… with 4 women. Yes. You heard me correctly. 4 women. So we shall see how he ended up with 2 more wives after listening to his 2 marriages last week.

The story of Jacob is about a man striving to get on top. From the time he was born…He and Esau, his twin brother, were fighting. Jacob stole the birthright and blessing and then was sent 550 miles away from Esau so Esau would not kill him. He arrives at his Uncle’s house and I think the first 7 years were fairly good. He wanted to marry Rachel. But then Uncle Laban deceived him and gave him Leah for a wife and now Jacob has to work another 7 years for the wife he loves. He is angry that he has 2 wives. He did not want this. I will give him credit… He might not love her, but he did go in and sleep with her, like a husband should. In a polygamous marriage each woman gets her night with her husband.

And now we are on the narrative of Jacob having children. I mentioned earlier that the 12 sons and one daughter. The sons will be the 12 tribes of Israel.

As we begin…you will notice that Jacob isn’t striving or struggling anymore. He is sitting back. He is yielding to his wives. He is passive.

And his wives? They are struggling to be the number 1 wife. We are seeing how polygamy is not a good thing. It causes strife and chaos. We are also going to notice in this sermon and chapter 30…There is NOTHING we want to duplicate in our own lives. We are going to see 4 emotions throughout this chapter:

(Loneliness, desperation, jealousy , anger )

This is a record but we are not to imitate it. It reminds us that God accomplishes his greater purpose despite our sinfulness. So let’s start

Genesis 29:31-35

31 When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. 32 And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Because the LORD has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” 33 She conceived again and bore 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. 34 Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi.5 35 And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Therefore she called his name aJudah.6 Then she ceased bearing.

The first verse said, When the LORD saw that Leah was whited…”. I went to see what other versions of the Bible said. It was hated, unloved, or despised. Jacob felt she manipulated him. At this point, we really don’t know if she was forced to obey her dad or not…but you can have a bit of understanding that Jacob did NOT want to have 2 wives. So you can understand that he wasn’t happy. He did not love her. What does a woman desire… “TO BE LOVED and cherished.” God synced women this way. So Leah is seeking her husband’s love.

Before we look at the names of the 4 sons. I want you to know that Leah’s name means weary. Tired. Back then women did not get to choose their husbands and this set up was not easy.

1. Reuben: “Because the LORD has looked upon my affliction and now my husband will love me.” BEHOLD A SON

2. Simeon: “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” TO BE HEARD…. A REPUTATION.

3. Levi: “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” ATTATCHED

4. Judah: “This time I will praise the LORD.” PRAISE THE LORD

Did you notice her spiritual walk? Her thinking has changed. The first 3 she held out hope that her husband would love her for giving him sons. The last time…she just praises God that she has 4 boys. Not many women have the favor of having all boys. She was an exalted woman in the community. Girls were not as valued.

Lesson: Sometimes we can’t change our problems, we need to look for the blessings and be joyful. (Change our attitude)

Genesis 30: 1- 2 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied (jealousy) her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall 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?”