Passage
Genesis 29:31-30:24 (ESV)
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
Acts 8:26-40
Key Verse: 8:35
Leah and Rachel
Date: May. 3, 2015
Daily Bread
Key Verse: 29:35
First, God saw that Leah was not loved (29:31-35). God was merciful. He saw how Leah was not loved and he blessed her with sons. However, she was not satisfied with God's love. When she bore her first three sons, Leah hoped in vain for her husband's love. Then when her fourth son was born, she accepted God's love. She named her son "Judah," which means "praise," and she praised God. When her maidservant bore Jacob two sons, she gave them names Gad and Asher meaning "good fortune" and "happy" (30:10-12). Her fifth son was Issachar -- "reward" (30:17), and her last son she named Zebulun-- "honor" (20). She no longer struggled for human love; she loved God who loved and blessed her.
Second, Rachel's jealousy (30:1-24). Rachel was not satisfied with Jacob's love. She demanded of Jacob, "Give me children or I'll die!" When her maidservant bore Jacob two sons, the names she gave them reflected her bitterness. Finally, God had pity on Rachel. When her son was born, she named him Joseph, meaning "give me another." She was neither thankful nor content.
Prayer: Lord, help me to repent of competing for human love and accept your love which satisfies.
One Word: Accept God's love and praise him
