Echoes of Time - Lesson 5 - Jacob & Leah/Rachel

Philippians 4:11, ‘Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.’

Statistics say that 50% of all marriages end in divorce.
That rate is the same for Christian and non-Christian couples.
Of that 50% that gets divorced and re-marry they then face
Another 50/50 chance of divorce.

Why is that?
We can lay blame.
We can choose to not forgive,
I believe it is because we focus on ourselves too much.

He’s not making me happy.
She’s not doing what she is supposed to.
He’s lazy.
She’s this, she’s that.

So what.

1 Timothy 6:8, ‘And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.’


When we go to work is it our bosses’ job to make us happy?
Is it our children’s sole responsibility to make us happy?
Is it God’s job to make us happy?


Let’s fill in the blank

If my husband did this, I would be happier…
If my husband didn’t do this, I would be happier…

If my wife did this, I would be happier…
If my wife didn’t do this, I would be happier…

‘I wish my wife was like yours…’
‘I wish my husband was like yours…’

Hebrews 13:5, ‘Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’
Do we trust God to provide all that we need?
If we don’t say it do we think, ‘God just do this one thing for me,
‘then I will serve you…’

Genesis 28:20-21, ‘And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:’

What do you think of that statement?
I think He wants us to step out on faith first.




How much do we think of our spouse?
What sacrifices do we show to let them know how much we love them?
Or do we sacrifice in order to get something in return?
Or do we sacrifice unconditionally knowing that God will take care of it?

Genesis 29:18, ‘And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.’


Seven years go by very quickly, then…

Genesis 29:23-28, ‘And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her. And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid. And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me? And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years. And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.’

Couldn’t Laban have said this in the beginning?
Jacob might still have gone through with it.
What are our motives?
What can I get out of this?
If I do more around the he will love me more.
If I make more money she will love me more.

Genesis 29:32,34, ‘And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.’

Can we really make someone love us more by doing something for them?
Shouldn’t our spouse have a desire to love us,
And meet our needs without getting anything in return?

If our spouse is unconditionally sacrificing to us,
Won’t we naturally reciprocate.

‘Well when they start doing that then I’ll start.’
Maybe we both have to start and stop keeping score.

If we have already started, and not seen any results,
We need to keep on trying as the Lord would have us.


Ultimatum

I have heard that who ever issues an ultimatum always looses.
Usually the person giving the ultimatum wins either way,
And the person listening has to pick the lesser of two evils.

Genesis 30:1, ‘And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.’


Anger

What is his response?

Genesis 30:2, ‘And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?’


Later on God provides natural child birth

In his own time.
What did they have to go through.
They probably gave God an ultimatum.

‘God, you better give me a child or I am going to let my husband sleep with someone else.’

Genesis 30:17, 22, ‘And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son... And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.’


Let me go
Enough is enough,
It’s time to move on.

Genesis 30:26, ‘Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee.’


You can’t leave I need you.
Lord blessed his boss because of association
If your boss says you are worthy of a raise and gives you one,
When did you become worthy of a raise?
How long ago was it?
In that case how long has he been under paying you?

Genesis 30:27, ‘And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.’


Jacob’s Integrity
I just want what’s fair.
Just give me what I have coming to me.
If you don’t do what’s right I don’t have to worry about it.
God will take care of it.

Genesis 30:33, ‘So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.’


God talks to Jacob

Genesis 31:3, ‘And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.’

Wouldn’t it be easier if He spoke in an audible voice?
Wouldn’t it be easier for us to speak with confidence to our wives?

Wives wouldn’t it be easier for you to trust us?
‘You’re right honey, I was in the other room, I overheard you and God talking.’

Men, don’t you think it would be easier for our wives to believe we truly heard from God
If she say us talking to him in prayer?
Or if she saw us reading His word looking for what he was saying?


Jacob talks to his wives

Genesis 31:4-16, ‘And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock, And said unto them, I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me. And ye know that with all my power I have served your father. And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me. If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked. Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me. And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled. And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I. And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee. I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred. And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house? Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money. For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children's: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.’


God took care of it

Genesis 31:42, ‘Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.’

We say we trust God.
Do we truly?

We know He can take care of the big things like cancer, or car crashes.
Is he too busy to take care of the little things?

How do we pray for our spouses?
Do we say, ‘Lord, please make her listen to me?’
‘Lord, make him do what I want him to do.’

Maybe we should pray…
‘Lord, what are you trying to teach me here?’
‘Lord, what is it I am supposed to do?’
‘Lord, if I am wrong please change my heart.’

‘Lord, if my husband or wife is wrong, please speak to their heart.’


Let Him know you trust Him.

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