CHARACTER STUDY OF RACHEL – FAVOURITE WIFE OF JACOB, MOTHER OF JOSEPH AND BENJAMIN
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: Genesis 29:18-20
"And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her."
Supporting Texts: Genesis 30:1-2, Genesis 31:32-35, Genesis 35:16-20
INTRODUCTION:
Rachel is one of the most well-known women in the Bible, remembered for her beauty, her love story with Jacob, and the struggles she faced in her life. As the daughter of Laban and the younger sister of Leah, Rachel’s life was marked by deep love, rivalry, patience, and sorrow.
Her story begins when Jacob, fleeing from Esau, arrives at his uncle Laban’s house and falls in love with her at first sight. He willingly worked for seven years to marry her, but due to Laban’s deception, he had to serve another seven years before finally marrying Rachel. Despite being Jacob’s favourite wife, Rachel struggled with barrenness for many years, leading to rivalry with her sister Leah.
Rachel’s life teaches profound lessons about love, patience, faith, and human weakness. She experienced the joy of childbirth but died while giving birth to her second son, Benjamin. In this study, we will look at her character, her strengths, her weaknesses, and the lessons we can learn from her life.
1. RACHEL WAS LOVED DEEPLY BY JACOB
Jacob’s love for Rachel was one of the strongest examples of love in the Bible. He worked fourteen years just to marry her.
a) Rachel was chosen by Jacob – Genesis 29:18-20 shows that Jacob willingly served for her, proving his deep affection.
b) Love made Jacob patient – Despite Laban’s deception, Jacob did not give up on marrying Rachel (Genesis 29:25-28).
c) Rachel had a special place in Jacob’s heart – Even after Leah bore many children, Rachel remained Jacob’s favourite (Genesis 30:22-24).
d) Jacob’s love led to family tensions – His favouritism led to competition between Rachel and Leah (Genesis 30:1-8).
e) Biblical Example: Isaac’s love for Rebekah (Genesis 24:67) also shows how love can influence family relationships.
2. RACHEL EXPERIENCED DELAY IN CHILDBEARING
Despite her beauty and Jacob’s love, Rachel faced the painful reality of barrenness for many years.
a) Rachel envied Leah – She became jealous when Leah had children, leading to frustration (Genesis 30:1).
b) She pleaded with Jacob for children – Her desperation led to a confrontation with Jacob (Genesis 30:2).
c) She gave her maid Bilhah to Jacob – Like Sarah before her, Rachel attempted to fulfil her desire for children through her servant (Genesis 30:3-6).
d) God remembered Rachel – After years of waiting, God answered her prayers, and she gave birth to Joseph (Genesis 30:22-24).
e) Biblical Example: Hannah also experienced barrenness but later gave birth to Samuel (1 Samuel 1:6-20).
3. RACHEL WAS A WOMAN OF FAITH BUT ALSO HUMAN WEAKNESS
While she had faith that God would give her children, she also showed human frailty in various situations.
a) She trusted God for a child – Rachel believed that God alone could open her womb (Genesis 30:22).
b) She struggled with jealousy – Her rivalry with Leah was intense (Genesis 30:8).
c) She participated in deception – Rachel stole her father’s household idols and lied about it (Genesis 31:32-35).
d) She desired recognition – She named her first son Joseph, expressing her desire for another son (Genesis 30:24).
e) Biblical Example: Sarah also struggled with faith and human weaknesses in her desire for a child (Genesis 16:1-4).
4. RACHEL’S DEATH AND HER LASTING LEGACY
Rachel’s life ended tragically, but her legacy continued through her sons.
a) She died giving birth to Benjamin – While travelling, Rachel went into labour and died (Genesis 35:16-20).
b) She named her son Ben-Oni (Son of my sorrow) – But Jacob renamed him Benjamin (Genesis 35:18).
c) She was buried near Bethlehem – Her tomb remains a significant landmark (Genesis 35:19).
d) Her sons became great leaders – Joseph became a ruler in Egypt, and Benjamin’s tribe produced kings (Genesis 49:22-27).
e) Biblical Example: Deborah also left a legacy as a powerful leader in Israel (Judges 4:4-9).
5. STRENGTHS OF RACHEL
a) She Was Deeply Loved and Cherished – Rachel’s beauty and character won Jacob’s heart, and he was willing to work fourteen years to marry her. This demonstrates her value and the strength of her relationship with Jacob.
Genesis 29:20 – "And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her."
b) She Demonstrated Perseverance – Despite years of barrenness and family struggles, Rachel remained hopeful and persistent, seeking ways to bear children.
Genesis 30:22 – "And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb."
c) She Was a Devoted Mother – Rachel deeply loved her children, particularly Joseph, whom she saw as a gift from God.
Genesis 30:24 – "And she called his name Joseph; and said, The Lord shall add to me another son."
d) She Had Faith in God – Although she struggled with impatience, Rachel still recognised that it was God who had the power to grant her children.
Genesis 30:6 – "And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son."
e) Her Sons Became Great Leaders – Rachel’s children, Joseph and Benjamin, played key roles in the history of Israel, with Joseph rising to prominence in Egypt.
Genesis 49:22 – "Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall."
6. WEAKNESSES OF RACHEL
a) She Was Envious of Leah – Rachel’s jealousy of her sister Leah led to rivalry and tension in their household. Instead of being content with her husband's love, she envied Leah’s ability to bear children. (Genesis 30:1)
b) She Was Impatient with God’s Timing – Instead of waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled, Rachel tried to take matters into her own hands by giving her maid Bilhah to Jacob.
Genesis 30:3 – "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."
c) She Stole Her Father’s Idols and Lied About It – Rachel’s decision to steal Laban’s household gods and then deceive her father shows a weakness in her character. This act also revealed a lingering attachment to her father’s pagan beliefs.
Genesis 31:34-35 – "Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them... And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me."
d) She Was Manipulative – Rachel engaged in manipulation to secure her position in Jacob’s heart and within the family. She negotiated with Leah for Jacob’s attention using mandrakes, which were believed to aid fertility.
Genesis 30:14-16 – "And Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes... Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes."
e) Her Attachment to Worldly Things Had Consequences – Rachel’s desire for physical blessings and security led to actions that had lasting effects, including her premature death during childbirth.
Genesis 35:18 – "And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Ben-oni: but his father called him Benjamin."
7. LESSONS TO LEARN FROM RACHEL
Rachel’s life teaches us several important lessons.
a) God’s timing is perfect – We must trust God even in delays.
b) Jealousy destroys relationships – Envy led to unnecessary strife in her family.
c) Patience and faith bring reward – She eventually gave birth to Joseph.
d) Human plans cannot replace God’s will – Her efforts to manipulate circumstances did not work.
e) Biblical Example: Mary, the mother of Jesus, trusted God’s timing without manipulation (Luke 1:38).
CONCLUSION:
Rachel’s life was filled with love, struggle, and faith. Though she was Jacob’s beloved wife, she faced many difficulties, including barrenness and competition with her sister. Despite her flaws, God blessed her with children who became significant figures in Israel’s history.
Her story reminds us to trust in God’s timing, avoid jealousy, and remain faithful in the midst of challenges. As we reflect on Rachel’s life, we must seek to develop patience, faith, and integrity in our own walk with God.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, help me to trust in Your timing and plan for my life.
2. Father, deliver me from envy and jealousy in my relationships.
3. O God, grant me the patience to wait for Your blessings.
4. Lord, let my life leave a lasting godly legacy.
5. Father, help me to avoid manipulative and deceptive actions.
