I always feel so bad for Leah. She is presented in such a way that make us pity her. But you know what, there’s not a lot of praiseworthy moments that we see in Rachel as well.
I often wonder, what was the relationship with God like for either of these ladies. Obviously, they acknowledge God based on what they name their children, but did they really know Him?
As you read along, you see that Rachel steals her father’s idols. I don’t know why she does this, but she does. And then she lies about it when her father chases them down on their departure from home.
What’s interesting is that Jacob declares that the person who took Laban’s idols will die.
But as for your gods, see if you can find them, and let the person who has taken them die! And if you find anything else that belongs to you, identify it before all these relatives of ours, and I will give it back!” But Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the household idols. Genesis 31:32 NLT
We later see Rachel dies in childbirth with Benjamin. In Genesis 35:16-20.
I wonder is there a connection between the two. I believe Jacob probably meant that the person who took the idols would be killed if they discovered them in the moment? But man, what a turn of events if this statement was a precursor to this event with Rachel.
My point behind all this is that I usually read Jacob’s family and find myself feeling sorry for Leah. Well, if all we know about Rachel is that she stole from her father and was jealous of Leah because she could have children, that’s not stellar either.
So why is any of this in the Bible? I think it’s a reminder that these are imperfect people. These are real people with real mistakes and real problems just like you and me. We may not have the same problems, but we do have them. The nation of Israel (Jacob), even with its many twists and turns becomes a great nation. Not because it was perfect, not because it was always obedient, but because God is faithful in His promises.
These accounts remind us that even when it comes to dealing with imperfect men and women, God’s faithfulness is always perfect and always true.