When Rachel saw that she wasn’t having any children for Jacob, she became jealous of her sister. She pleaded with Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!”- Genesis 30:1 NLT
Pause. Rachel became jealous of Leah?
Pretty much, all we know about Leah is that she’s the other sister. She wasn’t wanted by Jacob, but he pretty much got stuck with her. So I wonder what is going on in Leah’s mind at this moment…
This is likely the first time Rachel has ever been jealous of Leah. And why? Because she has been unable to have children, which sets us up for a great reminder.
A lot of times we long for what others have. Leah longed to be love, which is natural and admirable. Rachel wanted to bear children which is commendable. There was jealousy between these two women because of what the other was able to obtain.
And isn’t that the story amongst people today, women in particular? We yearn for someone else’s story instead of just trusting the narrative of the ones we’ve been given. What’s worse, we begin to take matters into our own hands when we don’t like what’s being written for us by God.
God wants what He wants for us, which is always what’s best. Our mistakes come into play when we desire what God doesn’t for us and become envious of what He has desired for someone else. Any desire birthed from jealousy instead of godly passion is not from God.
Self check today. Make sure you want what God wants for you. Don’t worry about what He’s given or is giving to others, just focus on what He has for you.