This post is Day 29 in a series of studies about “Babies and Children”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Babies and Children – Day 29

The sad story of Jacob and his two wives, sisters who hated each other, began when his uncle who became his father in law tricked him into sleeping with the wrong sister on his wedding night. But this study is about babies and children. Maybe marriage is for another study!

Genesis 29:31-32

When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, He enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless. Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.”

The Thought

The sad story of Jacob and his two wives, sisters who hated each other, began when his uncle who became his father in law tricked him into sleeping with the wrong sister on his wedding night (Genesis 29:23).

But this study is about babies and children, not marriage. Maybe that is for another time!

Between these two sisters, and their servants, they eventually gave birth to the fathers of all the tribes of Israel. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel after his struggle with an angel (Genesis 32:28).

Leah, the unloved wife, gave birth to six children. Reuben, which means “see a son”. Simeon which means “one who hears”. Levi meaning “attached”. Judah which means “praise”. Issachar sounds like “reward” and Zebulun meaning “honour”.

Rachel gave birth to Jospeh and Benjamin. Their names mean “may he add” and “son of my right hand” respectively.

Bilhah, Rachel’s servant bore Dan meaning “He has delivered” and Naphtali which means “my struggle”.

Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Gad meaning “good fortune”, and Asher meaning “happy”.

All of that can be found in the following verses: Genesis 29:31-35, Genesis 30:1-22, Genesis 35:18.

Action

Read some of those chapters today and think about all that dispute in the family, and the hang-ups that some of the children must have had. Today, families like that would be closely watched by social services, at least in Europe and America.

Think about your own name or names, and their meanings. Is that important to you?

Sometimes names can be a curse, some names can be a blessing.

Think about serious family disputes. Have you experienced any? It is never too late to pray for those involved, for forgiveness to flow.

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