Genesis 30

“Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, ‘Am I in God’s place, who has withheld children from you?’ Then she said, ‘Here is my slave Bilhah. Go sleep with her, and she’ll bear children for me, so that through her I too can build a family.’”  Genesis 30:2-3 (HCSB)

There was an apparent difference between the customs of the ancient Middle East and God’s design for a healthy family. It has been said that apples don’t fall far from the tree, and Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel were (literally) all from the same family tree.  

Had Jacob not sinned, Isaac would probably have sent a slave to retrieve a wife for him…as Abraham had done for Isaac. I believe the Lord would have led the slave directly to Rachel, and he would have brought her back to Jacob. Then, Rachel would have learned from Rebekah about waiting on the Lord. But that’s the whole problem with sin: It separates you from the Lord Himself and then radiates to your immediate family, your church, your friends….and the list goes on. Sin separates us from a healthy community so the enemy can pick us off individually.

Take a moment to reflect on your life. When was the last time you took an inventory of the sin in your life? How has sin affected you? Doesn’t it always push you away from the Lord and other believers? Take it from someone who has been there:  Leave that sin and come back home!

It may take a while to repair those bridges burned. That’s okay because you’re going home, either your literal home or back to your family of believers, those who love you and will give you wise counsel.

We don’t have to follow those patterns of sin that we learned from the cultures we were called out from. We must simply turn from those Worldly ways and philosophies, trust in the Lord’s guidance, and begin following His leading. As He proves Himself faithful, you will grow in faith. Pretty soon, you will realize He is changing your whole value system. You desire to sin less & less, and you seek to please Him more & more.

Remember: It took one day to lead Israel out of Egypt, but it took 40 years to drive Egypt out of Israel. Have faith and keep following the Lord. He will lead you to the places He has prepared for YOU, both in this life and the Kingdom to come.