The Sons of Jacob
It is important to know the sons of Jacob because they eventually become the tribes of Israel. The story of the sons of Jacob helps to express examples of the LORD God’s love, mercy, and care for His family. I am so thankful we belong to the family of the LORD God. Genesis 30:1-25
A study of Jacob would not be complete unless we look at the children that were born to him. We know he had two wives Leah and Rachel. We also know that Leah had a handmaiden named Zilpah and Rachael had a handmaiden named Bilhah.
The LORD saw that Leah was hated by Jacob so He allowed Leah to have babies and Rachel was barren. This means that Rachel could not have any babies. Rachel was sad she could not have babies. Rachel had the love of Jacob but could not give him children.
Leah had a son and called him Reuben: and said; “Surely the LORD has looked upon my affliction.” Leah was sure Jacob would love her. Then Leah conceived again and she had another son she called Simeon. Leah’s third son was called Levi. Judah was her fourth son and Leah said “Now will I praise the LORD.”
Rachael was unhappy because she could not give Jacob children. Rachel envied her sister Leah. Rachel gave her handmaiden, Bilhah, to Jacob to have a child for her. Bilhah conceived a son and called his name Dan.
And Bilhah Rachel’s maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son. And Rachel said, “With great wrestling have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.” Genesis 30:8
When Leah saw that she could not have any more children she gave Zilpah her handmaid, and gave her Jacob to wife. Zilpah Leah’s maid bare Jacob a son. Leah said, “A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.” Genesis 30:11
Zilpah Leah’s maid bare Jacob a second son. Leah said, “Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.” Genesis 30:13
Leah conceived again and bare Jacob the fifth son. Leah said; ìGod hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.” Genesis 30:18.
Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son. Leah said, “God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.” Genesis 30:20.
Then Leah bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah. Genesis 30:21. This is the only girl that was born to Jacob.
The LORD God remembered Rachel, listened to her crying to Him. She conceived, and bare a son; and said, ‘God hath taken away my reproach:’ Genesis 30:23. Rachael called his name Joseph; and said, ìThe LORD shall add to me another son.î Genesis 30:24.
These are the children that were born to Jacob while he still lived with Laban. There was one other son that was born to Jacob and Rachel after they left Laban. It was while they had journeyed from Bethel a little way to Ephrath when Rachel went into hard labor. Rachel gave birth to a son for Jacob she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. Then Jacob’s beloved wife Rachel died. Oh how sad Jacob was. (Genesis 35: 14-19).
What Can This Story Teach Us?
Leah was not loved as Rachael was loved by Jacob. The LORD God heard the tears of Leah and allowed her to be the first one to give a son to Jacob. We are always facing times in our lives when we feel unloved and alone. We can never be unloved and alone as long as we belong to the family of the LORD God. The LORD God loved us so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus, for us. It is because of Jesus that we have all been adopted into the family of God. We can never be alone.
The LORD God gives us His love, mercy, and care in everything we do. All we need to do is communicate with Him. Take all your problems, concerns, happy times, exciting times and even the confusing time to God in prayer and He will hear you and respond.
The LORD God remembered Rachel, listened to her crying to Him and allowed her to give Jacob two sons. Family is important to the LORD. The whole family in heaven and earth is named for the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It was the will of Jesus Christ that we are adopted children and beloved. Because of Jesus we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; we are being taught the mysteries of His will and He has a purpose for all of us. We have to trust in Jesus who gave us the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. (Ephesians 1:5-14).
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “The Sons of Jacob:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Oct 2014.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1769,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2014, October) “The Sons of Jacob:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1769,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2014) “The Sons of Jacob:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (October), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1769, (accessed).
