Genesis 30:1 When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!”
Emily Dickinson writes about hope as a thing with feathers, easily startled. Caitlin Seida says hope is not a bird but a sewer rat, tenacious. Regardless of which philosophy you subscribe to–and I’ll be honest, there are parts of both that I find fitting–hope is a vital part of humanity. Without hope, it’s hard to move forward.
Genesis 30:2 Jacob became angry with her and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?”
I am writing this reflection on Holy Saturday. Christ has been crucified. Darkness has descended. Hope feels scarce. Darkness feels abundant, alive, smothering all that is good. But Sunday is coming. Resurrection is coming. Hope is coming–no matter what you are struggling with at present.
Genesis 30:3 Then she said, “Here is Bilhah, my servant. Sleep with her so that she can bear children for me and I too can build a family through her.”
Precious Savior, Thank You for the hope of Your Son, of His resurrection. Thank You that no matter what we struggle with on this earth, we have an eternal hope to light our paths. Be with us, no matter what trials we face. Help us to hold onto Your hope. Always. Amen.
Genesis 30:4-5 So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife. Jacob slept with her, and she became pregnant and bore him a son.
Have a blessed day.