News of Value

News of Value

Genesis 30: ¹⁴ Now Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.”

 

¹⁵ But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?”

 

And Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.”

 

¹⁶ When Jacob came out of the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come in to me, for I have surely hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” And he lay with her that night.

 

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Reuben was old enough to go out a forage by himself. He was supposed to pick wheat, but he pulled up a plant with a strange root that looked like a human. He brought the strange plant to his mother and probably asked about it aloud. Rachel must have overheard the conversation between Reuben and Leah. She bargained for the mandrakes.

 

My Observations:

• This is the first time wheat and mandrakes were mentioned.
• Rachel believed the mandrakes could cure her infertility.
• Leah bargained with Rachel to have Jacob for a night.

 

Determined to have another child, Rachel and Leah seemed to become desperate. Rachel demanded that she be given mandrakes that were rare and believed to have medicinal power to cure almost anything. Leah used the mandrakes as a bargaining chip to “hire” Jacob.

 

After working in the field, Jacob was met by Leah. She told him, he was purchased for a night and explained the great price she paid. Jacob, having four wives, went in with Leah. She showed him the value. GOD saw this situation that I would label as “messed up” and used it for HIS purpose.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about the bargaining between Rachel and Leah?
• Are you bargaining with GOD for something you want?
• If you have a desire, will you ask GOD to align it to HIS purpose?