At the time they left, Laban was some distance away, shearing his sheep. Rachel stole her father’s household idols and took them with her. [Genesis 31.19]
So here is one of our "praying girls" from yesterday's post, now stealing. Rachel, who is on record as having prayed for and bore a child resultant to prayer, resorted to theft!
What was it that compelled Rachel to take the idols from her father? It would be one thing, if it were an economic answer - that she was poor and destitute. But we know clearly that Jacob her husband had greatly increased in wealth. The alternative then, would be that Rachel had some allegiance to the idols or some desire to worship them. This second option is certainly less becoming for Rachel and disappointing for us as readers of the story.
Because Rachel prayed for a child, I find myself wanting her to be forever wholesome and pure in her devotion to God. But apparently, that is simply not the case. Beautiful Rachel, Jacob's first choice, was obviously divided in her loyalties.
In other words, Rachel was not a seeker of God first. She indeed sought God, but she did not seek only God. Even though she had every assurance that she was her husband's favored and choice wife, she herself wavered in her faith.
The saddest thing about this ordeal is that Rachel's own husband unknowingly verbally declared her judgment that, in all likelihood, led to her untimely death. Aside from the sadness of the story, it is a shame that Jacob evidently had no idea that Rachel had this allegiance to idols (or he might have been a little less proud and a little more careful in his spoken judgment). It was a tragedy of Shakespearean proportion.
Father, help me to see what is necessary for me to learn from Rachel's indiscretion with the idols. Help me to see that hidden sin has tragic consequences!
What was it that compelled Rachel to take the idols from her father? It would be one thing, if it were an economic answer - that she was poor and destitute. But we know clearly that Jacob her husband had greatly increased in wealth. The alternative then, would be that Rachel had some allegiance to the idols or some desire to worship them. This second option is certainly less becoming for Rachel and disappointing for us as readers of the story.
Because Rachel prayed for a child, I find myself wanting her to be forever wholesome and pure in her devotion to God. But apparently, that is simply not the case. Beautiful Rachel, Jacob's first choice, was obviously divided in her loyalties.
In other words, Rachel was not a seeker of God first. She indeed sought God, but she did not seek only God. Even though she had every assurance that she was her husband's favored and choice wife, she herself wavered in her faith.
The saddest thing about this ordeal is that Rachel's own husband unknowingly verbally declared her judgment that, in all likelihood, led to her untimely death. Aside from the sadness of the story, it is a shame that Jacob evidently had no idea that Rachel had this allegiance to idols (or he might have been a little less proud and a little more careful in his spoken judgment). It was a tragedy of Shakespearean proportion.
Father, help me to see what is necessary for me to learn from Rachel's indiscretion with the idols. Help me to see that hidden sin has tragic consequences!
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