“When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. ‘Give me children, or I will die!’ she said to Jacob” (Genesis 30:1)

The Word of God records examples of siblings’ rivalries and one of such was the rivalry between sisters, Leah and Rachel, which produced a bitter envy in Rachel's heart. So envious she was that she made an outrageous demand from her husband. Envy can be toxic. James exhorts saying: “For wherever there is jealousy or selfish ambition, there will be disorder and every other kind of evil” (James 3:16). The wisdom of envy James reveals is “earthly, unspiritual, inspired by the devil” (James 3:15). Envy looks not only at the possessions of others but also with a feeling of discontent and resentment. It breeds ingratitude. This account of these sisters started because love was lacking in the home. The Bible records that the “LORD saw that Leah was unloved” (Genesis 29:31). When He opened Leah’s womb to conceive, it ought to have prompted oneness in their hearts that the Lord sees. James 3:17 says: “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous….”

Envy will make awful choices. It made the Jewish leaders prefer a murderer (Barabbas) to the sympathising Jesus (Matthew 27:18). However, we learn from Jonathan, the son of King Saul, who said to David: “Don’t be afraid. My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you” (1 Samuel 23:17). Instead of envying, we recognize the Lord's place, choosing contentment and generosity with thankfulness, trusting in the Lord of the heaven and earth.

#goodmorning

BeEncouraged❤ Freely received. Freely shared