Genesis 30:8 So Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, and I have indeed prevailed.” And she named him Naphtali.
When I was in high school economics class I learned about the law of supply and demand. The value of goods or services is tied directly to this law or principle. When some-thing is desired, but in short supply, it’s value goes up and when something is plentiful, but not so desirable, the value drops. In America, (probably in the world), the supply of opinions has far outpaced demand!
This is especially true when it comes to the Bible. A lot of people who have strong opinions about the Bible have seemed never to have read it. For example, there are those who have gotten the idea that what Christians most desire is a society where women are only valued for their ability to procreate. (Their source comes not from the books of Genesis or Exodus, but from Atwood) They criticize the Bible because it promotes slavery and polygamy.
In today’s passage we see polygamy on full display. Jacob had left home to find a wife. He found his dream girl in Rachel and agreed to work for her father for seven years for her hand. Those seven years flew by with anticipation! But Jacob (the deceiver) was deceived by his father in law who gave him Leah, Rachel’s older sister, instead! But for another seven years labor he could also have Rachel! None of the following years flew by.
There was constant strife and turmoil. Leah was having sons and Rachel was not. She blamed Jacob who tried to direct her to God as a possible source and solution of the prob-lem. Rachel was not interested in that. She offered her servant to him to produce a child and when a baby came she named him Naphtali, which means ‘wrestled’. Because she had ‘wrestled with her sister with mighty wrestlings.’
Is any of this supposed to inspire others to want a family situation like this?! The Bible does indeed talk about polygamy. And it presents an accurate picture: it’s terrible!
The Bible is God’s Word. It has been given to us so that we might find and better understand God and that we can learn to live for Him. It’s not a rule book on how not to have fun nor is it guidebook to some dystopian future. It guides us to Him! The Bible is trustworthy!
Psalm 119:105 - Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Blessings,
Pastor Russ
