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Jacob and Rachel’s relationship, although reveled in because the best biblical romance, endured many difficulties. Jacob labored seven years for Rachel’s hand. When the seven years ended, Jacob was able to marry Rachel, but Rachel’s father, Laban, tricked Jacob and gave him Leah (Rachel’s sister) as an alternative. This induced Jacob to work seven extra years to marry Rachel. Rachel and Leah turned Jacob’s wives, however Jacob all the time most well-liked Rachel.
This biblical cleaning soap opera showcases three truths we will be taught from Jacob and Rachel’s relationship:
1. Favoritism Is Mistaken
The Bible states Jacob liked Rachel greater than Leah: “his love for Rachel was higher than his love for Leah. And he labored for Laban one other seven years” (Genesis 29:30b). But, the Bible tells us instantly, “My brothers and sisters, believers in our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ should not present favoritism” (James 2:1). Jacob confirmed favoritism in his relationship with Rachel, although he was married to each sisters.
God by no means desires us to indicate favoritism in any of our human relationships. Whereas polygamy is fallacious, Jacob shouldn’t have proven favoritism between the 2. On account of his blatant favoritism, we see bitterness creep up in Leah’s coronary heart. Naturally, she begins to doubt her value whereas dwelling in Rachel’s shadow.
In our personal relationships, we should always solely have one companion, and we should always not categorical favoritism. Typically in relationships, companions can evaluate their present companion with a previous companion and even present favoritism towards a previous companion over their present companion. God doesn’t need us to do that. As a substitute of dividing our pursuits, we have to give attention to one companion, the present companion, slightly than evaluating them to anyone else.
In the identical means, exterior of romantic relationships, we should always not present favoritism throughout the household. Sadly, many mother and father play favorites with their youngsters, or youngsters play favorites with their mother and father. Mates play favorites, academics have their pets, and coaches have their number-one Allstars. As Christians, we by no means must play favorites or present favoritism. We have to love all folks as Jesus says, “A brand new command I offer you: Love each other. As I’ve liked you, so you could love each other” (John 13:34).
2. Polygamy Is Mistaken
A second reality we will be taught from Jacob and Rachel’s relationship is that polygamy is fallacious. As beforehand talked about within the first level, Jacob confirmed favoritism to Rachel over Leah. If a person has a number of spouses, favoritism is certain to outcome. This is among the many explanation why polygamy is fallacious. Jacob was married to each Leah and Rachel, however originally of creation, God designed marriage to be between one man and one girl (Genesis 2:24). Something exterior of this goes in opposition to God’s design for marriage.
Polygamy brings many issues right into a relationship, as proven all through Jacob’s relationship with Rachel and Leah. As Christians, we should always by no means endorse polygamy. Just because it was within the Outdated Testomony doesn’t make it okay. God by no means tells us polygamy is true. God particularly tells us we should always solely have one husband or one spouse. Polygamy has been accepted by many false perception techniques, together with the Church of the Latter Day Saints, formally generally known as the Mormon Church, however this isn’t biblical, nor are their different doctrines.
In {our relationships}, we should guarantee we solely have one companion. We should always not have a number of husbands or a number of wives. We have to give attention to one companion—not a number of companions. Even within the case of courting, a Christian ought to solely date one particular person at a time. The aim of courting is to see if the opposite particular person shall be a possible particular person to marry. If a person is courting a number of folks, it might trigger division, confusion, and an absence of faithfulness. These issues occurred between Jacob and Rachel and solely created pressure and hostility.
3. Marriage Should not Be Based mostly on Bodily Look
A 3rd reality we will be taught from Jacob and Rachel’s relationship is that marriage shouldn’t be based mostly on bodily look. Rachel was very lovely, and that made Jacob drawn to her. The Bible tells us, “Leah had weak eyes, however Rachel had a stunning determine and was lovely” (Genesis 29:17). Since Rachel was lovely, Jacob liked her greater than Leah. Regardless of Rachel’s bodily look, we’re by no means advised she was a follower of God. In reality, the Bible tells us Rachel took certainly one of her father’s family gods together with her after they left (Genesis 31:19,34).
Proverbs 31:30 says, “Appeal is misleading, and wonder is fleeting; however a girl who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Leah was a girl who liked God and adopted Him. She known as out to Him in her misery, and He heard her. Whereas Rachel was lovely on the surface, we’re by no means advised she was lovely on the within. From God’s eyes, Leah was lovely as a result of she liked Him, adopted Him, and obeyed Him.
Marriage shouldn’t be based mostly on bodily look as a result of love just isn’t based mostly on an individual’s fleeting options. Once you love anyone, it’s due to the character inside—not due to how “fairly” or “good-looking” they’re. As a substitute, we love those that are form, caring, and compassionate. It doesn’t matter as a lot what they seem like. Certain, a gorgeous particular person is sweet to have a look at, but when we cease and assume, most of us would like to spend time with somebody we genuinely cared about, whose coronary heart and soul was lovely no matter their outward look.
Relating to relationships, we should love others as a result of we worth them as an individual created in God’s picture—not simply because they appear enticing on the surface. If you find yourself in a relationship, attempt to focus extra on the interior fantastic thing about the person slightly than their outward appears. The Apostle Peter tells us, “Your magnificence shouldn’t come from outward adornment, akin to elaborate hairstyles and the carrying of gold jewellery or advantageous garments. Moderately, it ought to be that of your interior self, the unfading fantastic thing about a delicate and quiet spirit, which is of nice value in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:3-4).
Relationships should be constructed upon God and a biblical definition of affection. Christians shouldn’t have a relationship with those that don’t know God, nor ought to we have now relationships exterior the confines of biblical love. It’s extremely believable that Jacob and Rachel’s relationship was constructed on lust as an alternative of actual love. In {our relationships}, we should guarantee they’re constructed upon God, His Phrase, and true sacrificial love.
The world has blended the definition of affection and lust to be the identical, but they’re opposites. Lust doesn’t final, however love does. Jesus warns us in opposition to lust, “However I let you know that anybody who appears at a girl lustfully has already dedicated adultery together with her in his coronary heart” (Matthew 5:28). As demonstrated by Jesus’ phrases, lust just isn’t a great factor because it results in discontentment, comparability, and sexual sin (each within the thoughts, coronary heart, and physique). For a relationship to final, romantic or not, it have to be constructed on the muse of God’s nice, sacrificial love for us.
Whereas Jacob and Rachel are well-known within the research of theology, their relationship had many difficulties, which God desires us to keep away from. We will be taught from Jacob and Rachel’s relationship that we should always not present favoritism, apply polygamy, or base marriage on bodily look. If we perceive these truths and apply them, it would assist us in our personal relationships. God desires us to have wholesome relationships in-built true, life-giving love.
Photograph Credit score: ©Pexels/Frans Van Heerden
Vivian Bricker loves Jesus, learning the Phrase of God, and serving to others of their stroll with Christ. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts and Grasp’s diploma in Christian Ministry with a deep tutorial emphasis in theology. Her favourite issues to do are spending time together with her household and associates, studying, and spending time exterior. When she just isn’t writing, she is embarking on different adventures.
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