Our Ladies Fellowship meeting normally incorporates a Guest speaker, special event/outing or bible study in order to equip. our ladies for life in the local fellowship.

When: 1st Wednesday of each month at 8:00pm.

For Who: All ladies are welcome.

Rachel by Janice McCullough: As we continue with our studies on Women of the Bible we turn to Genesis ch. 29 verses 6f, where we meet for the first time a woman called Rachel.

Our first image of Rachel is one of a diligent young woman - ch.29 verse 9, tending her father’s sheep and bringing them to the well for watering, as the verse says ‘for she kept them’. She did not seem to be daunted by the hard work involved in such a task. Jacob seemed overcome when he met her vs 10 and 11. He is very keen to meet her father and Laban, Rachel’s father is pleased to have Jacob stay with them and be their guest. It transpires after some time that Laban is keen to have Jacob to work for him, and offers him such an opportunity, with the prospect of a good wage. But Jacob has an unusual request; he asks for Rachel to be his wife and promises to serve Laban seven years, without a wage, for Rachel to be his wife.

We cannot help but picture Rachel as beautiful (verse 17), but it seems she also possessed an inner beauty, that exemplified itself in her calm and serene nature. Jacob willingly worked these seven years, his motivation was simply his love for Rachel. It must have been a great assurance to Rachel to know that Jacob loved her so much, his love for her was real and deep, the Word of God tells us that “..Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days for the love he had to her.” It would not be wrong to suggest that her love for him was as strong and as real, she willingly waited as the years went past.
In all this God’s hand was upon them, we cannot but acknowledge the providence of God in the circumstances of these two young lives, in order that they be together.

How true it is that God has a special and specific purpose for each of His children and He alone creates the circumstances and situations in order for us to be led in His way and in His time. Genesis 28 v 15 “And behold I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest and will bring thee again into this land; for I will I not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.”

The time soon came for Rachel and Jacob to be husband and wife, but Laban deceived Jacob and the whole family was plunged into years of turmoil and perplexity, with there being much tension and ill feeling created by this deception. Jacob was now experiencing similar feelings as his father had, when he (Jacob) had cheated Esau out of his birthright (Genesis 27). As one writer puts it - “he was paid in his own coin.”

However, this must have been distressing for Rachel and it seems resulted in changing her attitude and nature completely. The effects of one person’s sin can cause such a ripple that others are deeply affected by it. We must walk carefully.
Verse 30 plainly states that Leah was hated, through no fault of her own she was plunged into a situation that made her and her sister lifetime rivals. The Lord was merciful to Leah and blessed her, but as verse 31 says - ‘Rachel was barren’. Two women both in misery, Leah knowing she wasn’t loved by Jacob and Rachel feeling as if God had rejected her.

Rachel’s nature is deeply affected. Envy grips her heart and mind ch.30:1 - ‘she envied her sister’. Prov.14:30 -“envy is the rottenness of the bones”. Prov.27:4 “wrath is cruel, anger is outrageous, but who can stand before envy?”
The inner serenity and beauty in Rachel’s life is marred and distorted as she finds her circumstances difficult to accept. God’s will for us may lead us in a path that is difficult, trying and testing, but it is intended to be rewarding and fruitful. Like Rachel we may protest against it and allow it to harden us, instead of changing us to be more like the Saviour. It isn’t easy (as Rachel found) to bring love where there is hatred, forgiveness where there is hurt or to show joy when all around is sadness.

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord
And where there’s doubt true faith in you.

This picture of Rachel is very different from our first meeting with her and even Jacob becomes angry with her attitude when she complains to Jacob and ultimately against God. It results in the introduction of more sinful practices into the family circle.

When we complain against God our spiritual focus is shifted and we lose out spiritually, both in fellowship with God and with other believers.  It not only affects us but others too and if not checked will ultimately result in coldness of heart and a change in attitude to spiritual concerns. Complaining against God can result in communication with God being slackened and the challenge of His Word being ignored. The Psalmist said, “when I complain my spirit is overwhelmed” Has that ever happened to you? Have you flew in the face of God and complained against Him? It can happen, and a life that could have been greatly used of God becomes wrecked and desolate, the joy of service gone. Rachel lost out and even the one who loved her so much became angry with her, ch.30:2.

In Luke 10:42 the Lord said to Martha who was harassed, distracted and annoyed with her sister Mary - ‘one thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken from her.” Yes, we must wait at His feet, it is there the Lord takes control and where we let Him work out what is best for us. Worshipping Him enables us to trust Him in all circumstances, to see His perfect way for us and to be happy in it. Spending time with Christ focuses our attention on what and who is important. We must stay at his feet until a change has come - He makes the difference. What difference? The difference between a sour servant and a sweet one! He can change us from being a distressed, fretful person into a trustful and peaceful one. Then we will know the ‘peace that passes all understanding” enabling us to face life with a calm, serene disposition that brings glory to God and is a blessing to others. May people come to us, not because of us, but because of Him!

The greatest consolation for Rachel was to know the mercy of God. He is merciful! We read in verse 22 - “God remembered Rachel and opened her womb.” She had two sons, Joseph and Benjamin - Rachel died after the birth of Benjamin. (35 vs 16 - 19). It is notable that she wanted to call the younger son Ben-oni’ - ‘son of my sorrow’ but Jacob changed it to Benjamin - ‘son of my right hand.’

The concluding words concerning Rachel words are simple “and Rachel died and was buried..” nothing more - it seems so final and empty.

May that not be so with us; but may the Spirit of God so dwell in us and control us, that even in death, our lives will continue to testify to the goodness and glory of God