Jacob is where we will end "Between Two Women." He was the one that all of the women in this story rallied around. Rachel didn’t seem to put up a fight over marrying him even though he had already been with her sister. Leah once bargained with Rachel offering her some special mandrakes (some kind of plant used back then for medicinal/fertility purposes) for a night alone with him. And neither Bilhah nor Zilpah seemed very eager to leave the awkward "let’s all share him" family circle. Doesn’t that sound outrageous to all of us? I mean, what woman with any pride would put up with such a crazy mess? Lol! Hmm… I could tell you many stories about women from today’s generation and their ridiculous behavior over a man that is just as outrageous as these four!
What was so special about Jacob anyway? Why would all these women agree to such a defrauding environment? Could it be that these women found satisfaction in what Jacob could provide for each of them individually? Rachel was her daddy’s favorite, so in order to leave, she needed a man who could outshine her father and Jacob obviously didn’t disappoint in the "shine" department. Leah was rejected by their father so she needed to be with a man who could offer her some much needed affirmation (many women seem to find some kind of validation through a sexual union with someone they consider to be elevated). Jacob stood out and was thought of as "special" by all of the people around him; so for Leah, getting to be his wife made her feel special too. Bilhah and Zilpah needed refuge and a future for the children that they wanted to bear; Jacob provided both.
As Christians, of course we don’t practice nor do we condone polygamy but I do believe that women can learn a lot from this study of a "less than perfect" family: Our attraction to man can be more about our greatest need rather than our greatest wisdom. Sometimes, our greatest fear can outweigh our greatest pride. Our greatest love will always come from God above. And, we have a great promise in life but generally can only find it by what we are willing to sacrifice.
God was able to give them a good return on what they were willing to surrender. He had a plan for each of them and was able to bring something good out of their heartache and misery. What was really between them was an opportunity to reach for God and rise above their situation. He became everything they needed and He stood in place of everything that was lacking. God caused man to do everything that he could do and God did everything else that man couldn’t do. Between Two Women was a good place to find desperation, trouble and some people at their worst but it was also the place that God used to show His sovereignty, kindness and His great love.
Loving U Like a Sister,
Regina
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