THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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A man and his wife were making their first doctor visit, the wife being pregnant with their first child.
After everything checked out, the doctor took a small stamp and stamped the wife's stomach with indelible ink.
The couple was curious about what the stamp was for, so when they got home, the husband got out his magnifying glass to try to see what it was.
In very tiny letters, the stamp said, "When you can read this, come back and see me."
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Gen 29:30-35
30 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.
31 And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
33 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.
34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.
35 And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.
KJV
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Several times in the Old Testament we read about bigamy and polygamy. Each time we read about it, there are difficulties! Perhaps the MAIN reason why a man should not have more than one wife is because Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters..." (hehe)
Seriously though, God's EXAMPLE of marriage was "one man, one woman, for one lifetime" (Gen. 2:22). A man cannot equally divide his affections. No matter what the circumstances, more than one wife is SIN. Jacob had been victim of a cruel deceipt, and was tricked out of the woman he loved. Even though there was no law against it in Jacob's time, it still went against God's example. And Jacob should have known about the problems two wives caused Abraham (his grandfather).
The rest of this sordid story (Chapter 30) explains that Jacob ended up with FOUR wives due to the petty jealousy between Leah and Rachel!
But God, in His mercy and grace, works THROUGH our sin!
Notice that the woman who is described as the "weaker" delivers SIX sons! God, in his majestic omniscience, chooses the weak things of the world to confound the strong and wise (1Corinthians 1:27)
She was given in marriage FIRST. She was loved less, but her heart was desirous of being "joined" to her husband, even through difficult circumstances. Christ richly blesses those who have their hearts bent on being JOINED to Him!
"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." (2 Chron 16:9)
She was not preferred, but she delivered the son who would continue the preferred line and bring the Messiah. Judah was born to Leah.
The next time life deals you a difficult blow, remember Leah.
Seek to be "joined" to Christ in all that you do, seek to follow His principles and truths, and you will be praising Him for His blessings!
Love ya,
Bruce