Good morning people who honour others

Genesis 30:1-3 When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!” Jacob became angry with her and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?” Then she said, “Here is Bilhah, my maidservant. Sleep with her so that she can bear children for me and that through her I too can build a family.”

It’s interesting how we often get upset at others when our life doesn’t work out as we hope.

In this story, Rachel couldn’t have children. Rather than going to God with her petition, she does four things that we would do well to avoid.

1. She becomes jealous of her sister because she had what Rachel wanted; a child. Jealously is always ugly, damaging and is based in
“I want”.

2. She said dumb stuff to those she loved (her husband). Her demand on her husband was unreasonable. Jealousy distorts our perception and grasp on reality.

3. She didn’t go to God even though she was directed to Him by her husband. Granted, Jacob got angry but that was at Rachel’s unreasonable behaviour. But he still knew God was the One in control and He was the One she should be talking to.

4. She took matters into her own hands. If she had gone to God, I don’t think she would have tried to ‘fix it’ herself. It’s easy for all of us to do this.

When life is not going as planned, let’s go to God and respond rightly towards Him and others.