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The Yearning for Children: A Reflection on Rachel, Jacob, and Spiritual Longing

In Genesis 30:1, Rachel's desperate plea for children highlights a profound longing found throughout scripture. This narrative not only illustrates the complexities of love and jealousy within families but also reflects the cultural and spiritual yearning for children. Modern parallels can be drawn with figures like Sarah and Hannah, emphasizing an enduring desire across generations. The journey of bearing children involves work, labor, prayer, and vision, prompting us to consider how we support and nurture each other in our communal and spiritual lives.

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The Yearning for Children: A Reflection on Rachel, Jacob, and Spiritual Longing

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  1. EVER BEFORE OUR MINDS “Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children she became jealous of her sister; and she said to Jacob, ‘Give me children, or else I die’.” (Gen. 30:1

  2. Jacob and Rachel • A “love story” for the ages”. 29:30 • “The course of true love never runs smooth.” • Leah, then the episode with Bilhah, then Zilpah. • Leah bore 6 of the 12 sons, plus the daughter. • Rachel’s sincere longing could have been cultural, but I think not totally. • Same longing in Sarah and Abraham, Manoah and his wife, Hannah, Elizabeth, and many today. Gen 1:24-28

  3. Oh, that we could have the same longing today, but in a spiritual way. • John 15:1 • I Cor. 4:15-17. • This isn’t the only mark of a Christian, nor our only work.

  4. Bearing Children Takes: 1. Work, labor, travail. • Months of discomfort, anxiety, and joy and excitement. • Gal. 4:19; 2 Cor. 11:28 2. Prayer – • Acts 6:4; Eph. 6:18-20; Col. 4:3; I Thess. 5:25 • Earnest prayer for what we desperately desire. • Zero population growth. In many areas we are losing.

  5. Bearing Children Takes: 3. Vision – • Too much emphasis on new carpet or song books or communion ware. • It could be amazing what God can do thru us, if we co-operate. Eph. 3:20 • This must be ever before our mind. 4.John’s “My little children” – I John 3:7. • Little children need more than just parents. • Teachers, encouragers, supporters. • Each of us can serve in many areas, but Gen. 30:1 – it begins here.

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