Women in the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them?

 Rachel

Who was Rachel? She was the daugter of Laban and the favored wife of the patriarch Jacob.

What did she do?  Rachel married Jacob and bore him two sons, who came to be among the founding heads of the 12 tribes of ancient Israel. Rachel met her future husban while she was tending her father's sheep.  (Genesis 29:9, 10) She was "very attractve" compared to her older sister Leah. - GENESIS 29:17. 

Jabob fell in love with Rachel, and he agreed to work for seven years so that he could marry her.  (Genesis 29:18) However, Laban tricked Jabob into marrying Leah first, after which Labnan permitted Jacob to marry Rachel.  - GENESIS 29:25-27.

Jacob  loved Rachel and her two sons more than he loved Leah and his children by her. (Genesis 37:3; 44:20,27-29) As a result, here was rivalry between the two woman. - GENESIS 29:30; 30:1, 15. 

What can we learn from Rachel? Rachel endured a difficult family situation without losing hope that God would hear her prayers.  (Genesis 30:22-24)   Her story reveals the strain that polygamy puts on families. Rachel's expeience demonstrates the wisdom of God's original standard for marriage-that a man have only one wife. - MATTHEW 19:4-6.

For a further discussion about Rachel, see the article "Distressed Sisters Who Built the House of Israel." 

For a discussion of why God tolerated polygamy among his people for a time, see the article "Does God Approve of Polygamy?" 

Next time: Women In the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them? Rahab

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