Marriage and the BibleMarriage and the BibleBased on the Living in Love Series by Richard L. Strauss, Biblical Studies Foundation - 1998

Right Moves, Wrong MotivesRight Moves, Wrong Motives

Chapter 4: Jacob and RachelChapter 4: Jacob and Rachel

Ground RulesGround Rules

• Accurately simulate your spouse’s reaction to what you say before you say it.

• Use this series as an opportunity for self-evaluation first. This is not an inventory of everything your spouse is doing wrong.

• Be prepared to talk through the functioning of your marriage with God, your spouse, and godly counsel if needed.

Recap So Far…Recap So Far…

• Adam and Eve had a perfect marriage in the garden, marred by sin, regained by us through Jesus Christ.

• The Bible is clear about the functional structure of a godly marriage.

• Your spouse is your highest earthly relational priority.

One Player = Always FaithfulOne Player = Always Faithful

• Genesis 28:10-20– God repeats the covenant promise to Jacob– Jacob will be the father of a great nation– God will provide Jacob with everything he needs

• Jacob Reciprocates– “then The LORD will be my God” (v.21)

• Is it possible for Jacob to have a strong relationship with God, but not his (future) wife?

Lust…er…Love at First SightLust…er…Love at First Sight

• Genesis 29:1-13– Jacob finds the land and family of his mother’s brother

– A well is apparently a popular place to find a spouse

– What do you discern about Jacob’s opinion of Rachel’s looks based on his actions?

Superficial AppreciationSuperficial Appreciation

• Genesis 29:17– What attributes are we given of Leah and Rachel?

• How long did Jacob know Rachel before he declared his love for her and agreed to work seven years of unpaid labor to get her?

• What is your evaluation of Jacob’s appreciation for Rachel before and after his years of service?– Genesis 29:21 – Probably not Hallmark material.

The ‘Ol SwitcharooThe ‘Ol Switcharoo

• Laban “unloads” his eldest daughter on Jacob, probably greedy for more free labor.

• Jacob = Not Happy

• Where do you think Leah’s heart is in all this?

• In comparison to his father, what is ironic about what just happened to Jacob?

All is Made Right, Right?All is Made Right, Right?

• By Genesis 29:28-30, everything is a-okay, right?

• What do you see of Leah’s marital experience in verses 31-34?

• What is significant about verse 35?– Jacob’s preferences aside, God’s promise clearly

seems to rest on his marriage to Leah.

Rachel’s Chance to Shine…Rachel’s Chance to Shine…

• Not an idyllic marriage (Genesis 30)– Rachel is barren.– Rachel is jealous.– Rachel gives an ultimatum.– Jacob becomes angry with Rachel.– Rachel repeats Jacob’s grandmother’s mistakes.

• What appears to be Rachel’s motivation as she names her sons?

Monogamy Affirmed!Monogamy Affirmed!

• God’s Plan = 1 man + 1 woman

• Competition in childbirth spirals both Rachel and Leah into a destructive and “short-circuited” pursuit to furnish Jacob with sons.

• Jacob seems plenty willing to go along with the plan’s twists and turns.

How to Tell You’ve Hit BottomHow to Tell You’ve Hit Bottom

• Genesis 30:14-22– Rachel continues to show superficial qualities– We’re fighting over “love apples?”– Jacob steps in and straightens…what? Never mind.

He’s “hired out” … for love apples!

• Although mandrakes were thought to open the womb, God is THE provider.– “God listened.” “God remembered.” What do you

make of God’s blessing in the midst of all this?

A Little More DysfunctionA Little More Dysfunction

• Laban deals shrewdly with Jacob, but Jacob ends up with abundant, strong livestock.

• Rachel steals her father’s idols, presumably to secure a greater inheritance for her family.

• Jacob lies to Laban about running away.

• Rachel lies to her father about stealing his idols.

A Discontent’s EndA Discontent’s End

• Genesis 31:32– Jacob pronounces death to anyone possessing

Laban’s gods.

• Genesis 35– Rachel names her prior child Joseph “May The LORD

add to me another son.”– 30:1 “Give me children, or I’ll die!”– Indeed, Rachel dies in childbirth delivering Benjamin.

A Discontent’s EndA Discontent’s End

• Rachel is buried along the side of the road, alone.

• Jacob mourns for her, through genuine love, but is ultimately buried with his family and wife Leah. (Genesis 49:29-31)

ApplicationApplication

• Do you get a Ferrari by combining the engine of an Edsel and the body of a Pinto?

• Marriages do not necessarily make husbands and wives great. Not understanding or dealing with each other’s strengths and weaknesses adds to the burden of a successful relationship.

ApplicationApplication

• Discontentment and dissatisfaction are sins and the root of still more sins.

• Are either prevalent or evident in your life?

• Do you harbor discontentment toward your spouse?

• Do you show contentment toward your spouse?

ApplicationApplication

• Contentment is an INPUT, not an OUTPUT

– 1 Timothy 6:6-9– Philippians 4:11

• How do you do that?

– Psalm 107:8-9

ChallengeChallenge

• Make a choice today to seek prayerful time with God to reveal areas of discontentment in your life. (Many of them are going to be hiding in plain sight!)

• Make a choice to cast your discontentment at Jesus’ feet, repenting of your sin and thanking Him for what you DO have.

• Show your spouse the fruits of CONTENTMENT