Tag Archives: poetry

GENESIS 30 DESIRES FOR MORE CHILDREN

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February 5

GENESIS 30

14 In the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and found mandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” 15 But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” Rachel said, “Then he may lie with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” 16 When Jacob came from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come in to me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he lay with her that night. 17 And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. 18 Leah said, “God has given me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband.” So she called his name Issachar. 19 And Leah conceived again, and she bore Jacob a sixth son. 20 Then Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she called his name Zebulun. 21 Afterward she bore a daughter and called her name Dinah.22 Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. 23 She conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach.” 24 And she called his name Joseph, saying, “May the Lord add to me another son!”  – Genesis 30:14-24

GENESIS 30 DESIRES FOR MORE CHILDREN

In this account, Reuben, the eldest son of Jacob found mandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. The mandrake is a Mediterranean plant with blue flowers in the winter and yellow, plum-like fruit in the summer. According to a commentary, it has been desired in many cultures because of a belief that it is an aphrodisiac and promotes fertility. These qualities, coupled with the fact it was only rarely found in Paddan-aram where they lived (Gen. 28:5), explains why both Leah and Rachel desired the plant. Rachel herself has not borne any children, Leah has become temporarily infertile (29:31–30:13), and both are seeking a cure in the mandrake.

The two wives of Jacob desired more children and we hear their desperation to bear their husband more offspring. It is interesting when we ourselves desire more fruit either in our spiritual walk and sometimes we fall into the trap of finding it somewhere else rather than relying and trusting that everything in its own time is given by our Creator.

REFLECTION

  • How can desires lead to sin as shown in this account?

GENESIS 30 SIBLING RIVALRY BETWEEN LEAH & RACHEL

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February 4

GENESIS 30

When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!” 2 Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” 3 Then she said, “Here is my servant Bilhah; go in to her, so that she may give birth on my behalf, that even I may have children through her.” 4 So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her. 5 And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. 6 Then Rachel said, “God has judged me, and has also heard my voice and given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan. 7 Rachel’s servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. 8 Then Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister and have prevailed.” So she called his name Naphtali. 9 When Leah saw that she had ceased bearing children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. 10 Then Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son. 11 And Leah said, “Good fortune has come!” so she called his name Gad. 12 Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. 13 And Leah said, “Happy am I! For women have called me happy.” So she called his name Asher. – Genesis 30

GENESIS 30 SIBLING RIVALRY BETWEEN LEAH & RACHEL

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

As Leah and Rachel competed who is the better wife for Jacob

They both tried to gain as much offspring for their husband

Because Rachel was barren, she used Bilhah to make children for her

And since Leah stopped bearing, she made Zilpah be her surrogate.

In this account, we see the generational patterns in Abraham’s family passed on to the generation of Jacob. We know that Jacob was Rebekah’s favorite and Esau, Isaac’s favorite son. We also see patterns of deceit in the life of Jacob when his wife’s father tricked him to marry Leah before he got to marry Rachel. Most of us run into issues like sibling rivalry and deceptions in the family.

It is almost hilarious yet dark to watch two women who are siblings be in bondage with their insecurities. Whenever we experience such negative feelings, we must be watchful as this can be an open door for the enemy to work on our hearts. When we feel insecure, we probably are not focusing on what God has already given us.

REFLECTION

  • What makes one insecure and competitive as this account narrates to us?

GENESIS 29 JACOB’S SONS BY LEAH

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February 3

GENESIS 29

31 When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. 32 And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now, my husband will love me.” 33 She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. 34 Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore, his name was called Levi. 35 And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” Therefore, she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.  – Genesis 29:31-35

GENESIS 29 JACOB’S SONS BY LEAH

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

Rachel was loved more than Leah by Jacob

She was then blessed to have more sons by God

Rachel though loved more by Jacob, was barren

Leah thought that bearing children will get her husband to love her.

What a just God we serve. In this account, we feel so much about Leah’s feelings of rejection. Imagine being in her place, where she is constantly reminded that no matter what she does, Jacob will always love her sister Rachel more than her. Her father, Laban used her to get more years of service from Jacob. She is not as beautiful as her sister. She knew how Jacob loved Rachel so much, so she lives in constant insecurity and envy towards her sister who is the one who is loved, the one who was better looking than her.

Could you blame her for being so depressed and distressed by her predicament? When the Lord gave her blessings to have children, she finally has an edge on her sister who hasn’t had children. She thought that Jacob would begin to love her more now that she bore Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah.

Sometimes, we begin to stress over things that we can’t have and we do things or pray for things that may eventually lead to more distress. If only we humans can learn to let go and accept things that we don’t have control over, we would be more content.

REFLECTION

·       How has God blessed you in your adverse situations and displayed his grace?

GENESIS 29 THE TRICKSTER GOT TRICKED

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February 2

GENESIS 29

21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” 22 So Laban gathered together all the people of the place and made a feast. 23 But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and he went in to her. 24 (Laban gavehis female servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her servant.) 25 And in the morning, behold, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” 26 Laban said, “It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27 Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” 28 Jacob did so, and completed her week. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. 29 (Laban gave his female servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.) 30 So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban for another seven years.

                                                                   – Genesis 29:21-30

GENESIS 29 THE TRICKSTER GOT TRICKED

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

After Jacob served 7 years to get Rachel as his wife

Laban tricked him and gave Leah the eldest instead

The deceiver Jacob was also cheated by his uncle

What we usually bring comes around us

Laban wanted Jacob to serve another 7 years for Rachel

And Jacob served that term again in order to have her.

In Galatians 6, God gave us the concept of sowing and reaping. What we plant is definitely what we will harvest. In this account, we see Laban treacherously cheating Jacob of another seven years of service so he could take advantage of the benefits of having Jacob around in his household. It must have reminded Jacob what he had done to Esau once he himself was tricked. He sowed deceit and he reaped it too.

There is a good trait that came out of it though: Jacob continued to pursue to have Rachel as his wife because of his love for her. Out of the faithfulness and perseverance, he also reaped that love he worked for to be with Rachel.

REFLECTION

  • How is the law of sowing and reaping almost synonymous to the golden rule?

GENESIS 29 JACOB MEETS RACHEL

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January 30

GENESIS 29

Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the east. 2 As he looked, he saw a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep lying beside it, for out of that well the flocks were watered. The stone on the well’s mouth was large, 3 and when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place over the mouth of the well.4 Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where do you come from?” They said, “We are from Haran.” 5 He said to them, “Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?” They said, “We know him.” 6 He said to them, “Is it well with him?” They said, “It is well; and see, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep!” 7 He said, “Behold, it is still high day; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered together. Water the sheep and go, pasture them.” 8 But they said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together and the stone is rolled from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.”  – Genesis 29:1-8

GENESIS 29 JACOB MEETS RACHEL

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

After his meeting with God and assurance of providence for him

Jacob continued his journey towards the east and saw a well in the field

There were three flocks of sheep lying beside it and gathered in the well

He asked the men tending the flock if they knew his uncle.

And they said they knew Laban, the son of Nahor

What joy it would have been to be directed to his own kin

Then Rachel came with her flock as she shepherded them

Jacob was smitten and overjoyed to see her and he kissed her.

This account shows us God’s faithfulness and providence for Jacob all of his journey to find his uncle’s place. We see how he was directly pointed to where Rachel usually goes to tend to her flock. Her name actually means “female sheep”. What a great clue as to how Rachel must have been. Sheep are usually meek and very gentle animals. They have 360-degree peripheral vision. They are very intelligent with impressive memory and recognition skills and can make different sounds to communicate different emotions and can display and recognise emotion by facial expressions. No wonder Jacob was smitten.

REFLECTION

  • Do you think God orchestrated the meeting of Jacob & Rachel at the well? Why?

GENESIS 28 JACOB WORSHIPS AND VOWS AT BETHEL

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January 29

GENESIS 28

18 So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. 19 He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first. 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, 21 so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, 22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.”

                                                                   – Genesis 28:18-22

GENESIS 28 JACOB WORSHIPS AND VOWS AT BETHEL

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

After Jacob rested and dreamed of the ladder to heaven

He took that stone that he rested his head on

He set it up on a pillar and anointed it with oil

Then he called that place Bethel and made a vow

If God will be with him always and provide for all his needs

He will give a tenth of everything that he receives.

In this account, we get a glimpse of Jacob’s acknowledgement and gratitude to the Lord who kept him safe and provided for during his journey to go to his uncle in Paddan-aram. What an assurance that was when he dreamed of the ladder to heaven and how the Lord promised him that he will always be with him until his covenant promise to his grandfather Abraham is fulfilled.

Earlier, he just stole his brother’s blessing and birthright which led him to flee because of his anger and plot to kill him. I would imagine that there must be fear in him because we know that he is a tent dweller and not a hunter like his brother. It must have been a challenge to travel for him. And yet, we see his obedience to his mother: first, even though he didn’t think he would be able to follow her plan, he still honored her despite those fears. Because of such obedience, God spoke to him and reiterated his covenant promise to his grandfather Abraham.

REFLECTION

  • Why is worship the right response to anything that we have received from God?

GENESIS 28 THE LADDER TO HEAVEN

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January 28

GENESIS 28

10 Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! 13 And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. 14 Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” – Genesis 28:10-17

GENESIS 28 THE LADDER TO HEAVEN

As we listen to the account of the journey of Jacob to go to his mother’s brother Laban to find a wife from her clan, we can have a hard time imagining how long it takes to travel either by foot or on a camel or donkey during those times. He was fleeing from an angry brother who wanted to kill him, but at the same time, he was exposed to all the elements in that journey. Esau could have pursued him and killed him in his sleep. He laid his head on a stone. It must have either been under a tree or just by a rock where he got a smaller stone to rest his head. So, it would seem that he was on the ground and feeling the coldness (even in the desert places, the night air could be cold too) of the earth. What an irony that he was in a very uncomfortable (in our modern concept of comfort) place when he dreamed of the ladder that goes up to heaven.

Matthew Henry’s commentary on the ladder to heaven spoke about Jesus, being the ladder that takes us to our Heavenly Father. The feet of the ladder symbolize Jesus’ humanity; the steps of the ladder are his body, the actual sacrifice he gave for us to make it possible for us to reconcile with our Heavenly Father. Jesus is the ladder, the mediator.

REFLECTION

  • How and why do you think God shows up during our most uncomfortable times?

GENESIS 28 ESAU’S JEALOUSY OVER JACOB’S OBEDIENCE

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January 27

GENESIS 28

Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and directed him, “You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women. 2 Arise, go to Paddan-aram to the house of Bethuel your mother’s father, and take as your wife from there one of the daughters of Laban your mother’s brother. 3 God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples. 4 May he give the blessing of Abraham to you and to your offspring with you, that you may take possession of the land of your sojournings that God gave to Abraham!” 5 Thus Isaac sent Jacob away. And he went to Paddan-aram, to Laban, the son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother.6 Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan-aram to take a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he directed him, “You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women,” 7 and that Jacob had obeyed his father and his mother and gone to Paddan-aram. 8 So when Esau saw that the Canaanite women did not please Isaac his father, 9 Esau went to Ishmael and took as his wife, besides the wives he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth. – Genesis 28:1-9

GENESIS 28 ESAU’S JEALOUSY OVER JACOB’S OBEDIENCE

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

Jacob obeyed Rebekah’s request for him to leave for Paddan-aram

It was best for him to take a wife from Rebekah’s brother’s clan

Isaac gave all the blessing to Jacob and he was sent off to go

Esau’s jealousy over Jacob’s obedience was so strong

He wanted to please Isaac, so he married Ishmael’s daughter

He was so envious of Jacob’s blessings so he got Mahalath as his wife.

Esau was seething with jealousy and envy for what Jacob’s blessing got from their father before he left for Paddan-aram. Esau didn’t do what is right with God, instead he married two Hittites wives earlier which made it hard for Rebekah and Isaac. So, to please his father, he went to marry Ishmael’s daughter, one of Abraham’s sons.

It is sad to watch people just do what is right to get something back in return. They do not do it out of love and fear of the Lord. It is a transactional relationship.

REFLECTION

  • How can jealousy and envy further bring us down the rabbit-hole?

GENESIS 27 JACOB’S DECEPTION DISCOVERED

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January 25

GENESIS 27

32 His father Isaac said to him, “Who are you?” He answered, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.” 33 Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, “Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.” 34 As soon as Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, O my father!” 35 But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing.” 36 Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.” Then he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?” 37 Isaac answered and said to Esau, “Behold, I have made him lord over you, and all his brothers I have given to him for servants, and with grain and wine I have sustained him. What then can I do for you, my son?” 38 Esau said to his father, “Have you but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father.” And Esau lifted up his voice and wept. – Genesis 27:32-38

GENESIS 27 JACOB’S DECEPTION DISCOVERED

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

After Jacob received the blessing from Isaac, Esau comes

He wept so bitterly and begged Isaac to give him a blessing too

But Isaac, despite his anger at the deception couldn’t take it back

Jacob already got the blessing and now he will lord over Esau

Jacob will be served by all his other brothers as well

Esau continued to weep at his stolen birthright and blessing.

What a sad fate for Esau to carefully prepare a meal for his father Isaac so he could get the blessing, only to discover that his younger brother fraudulently stole it from him. At first, Isaac was so angry at the deception, but got his footing back and declared to Esau that he gave the blessing to Jacob already and cannot take it back. He cried and wept but I think that he had taken for granted both his birthright and the blessing. After all, Jacob was the chosen one and not him. It was God’s plan to have Jacob lord over all his brothers. It seemed cruel for Esau but it is God’s choice and nothing he can do about that.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important for us never to take for granted our gifts from the Lord?

GENESIS 27 JACOB RECEIVES ISAAC’S BLESSING

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January 24

GENESIS 27

26 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near and kiss me, my son.” 27 So he came near and kissed him. And Isaac smelled the smell of his garments and blessed him and said, “See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed!
28 May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine. 29 Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!” 30 As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, when Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting. 31 He also prepared delicious food and brought it to his father. And he said to his father, “Let my father arise and eat of his son’s game, that you may bless me.” – Genesis 27:26-31

GENESIS 27 JACOB RECEIVES ISAAC’S BLESSING

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

Isaac asked Jacob to come and kiss him for the blessing

And since Jacob had Esau’s garments on, he smelled like him

Then Isaac began pouring down his blessing on his son

That he may be given the bounty for his field in grain and wine

That he may have the authority that nations will bow down to him

Blessed are those who bless him and cursed are those who cursed him.

According to a theological dictionary, a blessing was a public declaration of a favored status with God. It also endowed power for prosperity and success. In all cases, the blessing served as a guide and motivation to pursue a course of life within the blessing. The major terms are related to the word meaning “to kneel”, since in earlier times, one would kneel to receive a blessing. No wonder it was very important to have God’s blessing so that there will be a harvest of plenty and prosperity.

After Jacob deceived his father, he finally got the blessing that was usually bestowed on the firstborn son. This was why Rebekah made sure that Jacob got it because she was told by God that it was Jacob who will be the recipient of that fulfillment of the covenant promise between Abraham and God.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think it is important for Christians to bless their children?