Below the Surface

Read Genesis 30:14–15

Reflection

The saying about sweeping things under the rug is a good analogy for emotions. A mess on the floor can be hidden under a rug but we also know that the same mess could be uncovered at any time; it doesn’t just disappear. The feud between Rachel and Leah continued for many years. We might have expected that, once they had both been able to give Jacob children, they would be able to move past their pain but this Scripture shows just how close to the surface their jealousy and hurt really were. Clearly, they had not cleaned up the dirt they shared between them.

Mandrakes were herbs that were believed to have promoted fertility, which is really what this ongoing fight was about. They both had become so obsessed with giving Jacob children that they were willing to bargain and trade intimacy with him. Instead of choosing forgiveness and acceptance of their situation, they added to the mess by building on it through their own manipulation.

You might have experience with a similar long-standing issue in your family or with a friend that you know hasn’t quite been dealt with. You might be tempted to keep it under the rug but it is likely to surface again at some point. When we fail to examine our own hearts in these situations – even arguments where we think we are right – we allow some build-up that isn’t healthy for anyone. We need to search out our sin and clean it up to give God the space to speak. He will give you the Wisdom and Grace to move past your pain into healing.

Consider and Pray

What relationship do you need God to restore to you? Ask for forgiveness and pray that Christ would give you an opportunity to work through the hard stuff.