Apple of His Eye: Raḥĕl

Dearest Eves

What a privilege it is to continue with this series within this new season. We find ourselves still in Berĕshith (Genesis) and almost reaching the end thereof. Within chapter 29 we encounter special characters within the Kingdom of Abba who are responsible for the lineage of Yeshua - Raḥĕl and Lĕ’ah. Although their stories walk hand - in - hand I deem it fit to write separate blogs to decipher their blueprints and place within Abba’s Kingdom.

Raḥĕl - the Shepherdess 

'... Raḥĕl came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess.' - Berĕshith (Genesis) 29:9 [TS2009]

This verse in Berĕshith is quite an interesting one! Raḥĕl was the first woman mentioned having a job. This is a profound piece of her character as one would not have expected a woman of the early days to be doing any hard labour. Yet Abba decided to intertwine Raḥĕl’s blueprint with that of a woman who is accustomed to labour. Can you even begin to imagine Raḥĕl - being a young woman - having to face the harsh realities of being a shepherdess. Taking care of the flock of sheep, continually searching for the best pastures, watering them and protecting them from predators like wolves, lions and bears. All of the aforementioned would be much easier for a shepherd to do, however, Raḥĕl was equipped by Abba and entrusted by her father to take care of the flock.

Is Raḥĕl not much like the modern woman? One labouring in a male-dominated field of work, required to constantly look at the industry or “field” they are labouring in and trying their best to take care of their work. Dearest Eve you might be entrusted with much at work and you might feel inferior with regards to the position you are occupying but know that Abba has placed you there for a reason and He has already equipped you with the necessary skills to allow you to prosper exactly where you are. 

Raḥĕl - her beauty made her unique

'....but Raḥĕl was beautiful of form and beautiful of appearance.' - Berĕshith (Genesis) 29:17 [TS2009]

Raḥĕl might have been a shepherdess, but she was a beautiful young woman. As a woman working in a male-dominated field, she kept herself well and that set her apart from all the other women.

Dearest Eves we have a duty towards ourselves to be well kept! Being well kept does not always mean physically well kept – yes this is an important part of our appearance – but it is not all that must be well looked after. Our Spiritual and Emotional wellness needs to be kept as well. I do believe that the last mentioned is the most important! Take care of your heart and walk in rhythm with the Creator to ensure you are well kept Spiritually and Emotionally, thereafter the wellness of your Physical appearance will come forth naturally. A healthy heart and mind brings forth a healthy body. 

Raḥĕl - Ya‛aqoḇ love embodied

'And Ya‛aqoḇ kissed Raḥĕl, and lifted up his voice and wept.' - Berĕshith (Genesis) 29:11 [TS2009]

'And Ya‛aqoḇ loved Raḥĕl, so he said, “Let me serve you seven years for Raḥĕl your younger daughter.”' - Berĕshith (Genesis) 29:18 [TS2009]

From first glance Ya‛aqoḇ fell madly in love with Raḥĕl – I believe this is where the saying “Love at First Sight” comes from. He wept (physically cried) when he saw her and was willing to – and ended up – sacrificing a big portion of his life “working” for her hand in marriage.

Dearest Eves my prayer for our generation and those to follow us is that a whole generation of men like Ya‛aqoḇ will rise up and personify Godly love and the pursuit thereof. May we as women be equipped by Abba Father to receive this kind of love.

Raḥĕl - the deception of Laḇan

'Then Laḇan said to Ya‛aqoḇ, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for naught? Let me know, what should your wages be?”' -Berĕshith (Genesis) 29:15 [TS2009]

'And Laḇan said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.” So Ya‛aqoḇ served seven years for Raḥĕl, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. Then Ya‛aqoḇ said to Laḇan, “Give me my wife, for my days are completed, and let me go in to her.” And it came to be in the evening, that he took Lĕ’ah his daughter and brought her to Ya‛aqoḇ. And he went in to her. And in the morning it came to be, that see, it was Lĕ’ah. So he said to Laḇan, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Raḥĕl that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?” And Laḇan said, “It is not done this way in our place, to give the younger before the first-born. Complete the week of this one, then we give you this one too, for the service which you shall serve with me still another seven years. And Ya‛aqoḇ did so and completed her week. Then he gave him his daughter Raḥĕl too, as wife. And he also went in to Raḥĕl, and he also loved Raḥĕl more than Lĕ’ah. And he served with Laḇan still another seven years.' - Berĕshith (Genesis) 29:19-21,23,25-28,30 [TS2009]

Raḥĕl and Ya‛aqoḇ’s love story took quite an unexpected turn and I do believe that Raḥĕl was the most affected by this. I cannot even begin to imagine how she must have felt when the 7 long years have passed and her appointed time to become a wife was near just for it to be taken away and given to her sister Lĕ’ah. Here we can take notes from Raḥĕl – she persevered and did not become bitter when the circumstances changed.

So often we feel that we have been “cheated” in life and everything we have ever wanted was taken away, yet maybe in the process of change within our lives Abba equips us for the role we are about to step into, and we ought to realise that the appointed time can only be appointed by Abba.

Raḥĕl - her harships

'And when Raḥĕl saw that she bore Ya‛aqoḇ no children, Raḥĕl envied her sister, and said to Ya‛aqoḇ, “Give me children, or else I am going to die!” And she said, “See, my female servant Bilhah; go in to her, and let her bear for me, and let me be built up from her as well.” And Elohim remembered Raḥĕl, and Elohim listened to her and opened her womb. And she conceived, and bore a son, and said, “Elohim has taken away my reproach.”' - Berĕshith (Genesis) 30:1,3,22-23 [TS2009]

Raḥĕl’s hardships continued as she stepped into her new role as a wife. She had her struggles with Abba Father and questioned her existence as she yearned for a child of her own and felt incomplete without her own offspring. She felt unloved and unseen by her husband Ya‛aqoḇ.

So often when we are placed in a new position or role Abba Father intended for us, we face a final hardship. This hardship is the make or break one when we have fought so much to be where we are that we feel we don’t belong there. I don’t believe Raḥĕl was any less loved by Ya‛aqoḇ! Yet she felt inferior to her sister and their servants. When we move into this time period of final hardship we need to sit with Abba Father and keep his promises close to heart! As a reminder: 'Blessed is she who believed, for that which יהוה has said to her shall be accomplished!' - Luqas (Luke) 1:45

Raḥĕl’s blueprint

Raḥĕl’s story in Abba’s Kingdom has a very special place. It is an absolute testimony of how perseverance through hardships leads to Godly appointment in the mists of circumstances out of your control. By being different and set apart you contribute in your very own special way towards Abba’s Kingdom purpose.

Until next time

Shalom