Jacob’s household was still in transit to Canaan when an unfortunate incident happened. So far, we have seen that Rachel and Leah and their two female servants gave birth for Jacob. The growing family faced their own growing challenges of hatred, envy, favouritism etc. that brought about tension between the individuals in the family. We have also seen that Jacob together with his wives, children and all that he had, left the house of Laban without informing Laban of their intention to leave. Rachel stole her father’s household gods and lied about it. Both Laban and Jacob were furious about the incident; Laban felt cheated and Jacob felt dishonored. Jacob laid a curse on the thief: “But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live.” (Genesis 31:32a). Through deception, Rachel was not caught and the family continued their journey to Canaan having a cursed thief in their midst. Rachel was pregnant again and this might have been extremely great times for her. She was expecting her second child after all the years of being childless. And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, “Don’t despair, for you have another son.” As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin. (Genesis 35:17-18) Rachel, the expectant mother would have received special attention while on the journey. She would have been looking forward to meeting her second bundle of joy. Jacob fulfilled a vow he made to God and took his family to Bethel (House of God) where they built an altar for the Lord. “Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty” (Genesis 35:16). Rachel’s labour wasn’t an easy one. “And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, “Don’t despair, for you have another son.” As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin.” (Genesis 35:17-18). The death of Rachel might have been a big blow to the family. She was Jacob’s beloved wife and the mother of Joseph and the newborn son (Benjamin). Rachel’s pain at birth caused her to name her son Ben-Oni, meaning son of my trouble. The baby did not have any hand in Rachel’s troubles. Rachel’s deepest fear and deception led to her troubles. She stole her father’s household gods and the thief was cursed. Jacob, discerning the impact of names, quickly changed the name of the baby from Ben-Oni (son of my troubles) to Benjamin (son of my right hand). The unfortunate twist in the lives of the people in Jacob’s household might have affected everyone. Rachel’s death was a big loss. She was loved, cherished and adored. She was Joseph’s favourite person and the mother of two little boys. A memorial pillar was set on Rachel’s tomb by Jacob. Now, Leah had to take the responsibility of running the household. She wasn’t loved, neither was she preferred. But, she became the one who led the household to Canaan. The twelve sons of Jacob became the foundation for the nation of Israel. Through the descendants of Leah’s son, Judah (meaning praise), God’s promise in Eden (Genesis 3:15) was fulfilled. The story of Rachel and Leah reminds us that God sees the future while we see from our very myopic purview. Rachel with all the love and attention still relied on household gods. On the other hand, the unloved wife became the source of God’s prophecy fulfillment. May we find fulfillment in God not in the idols in our lives. Rachel breathed her last and she was buried. At that instant, all her desires, worries, anxiety and fears went with her. While we live, we should take advantage of the time and live to please the Lord.
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