THE BARRENNESS OF RACHAEL

 RACHEL BARRENNESS -  LESSONS IN JEALOUSY

2 Cor. 10:12 – “comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise”  Envy and jealousy are two arsenal that the enemy uses against the saints.  Let’s see Rachel picture:

Gen. 30:1,2 “Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her Leah”..

Give me children or else I die”

 Rachel was trapped with jealousy and envy demanded from Jacob what he could not give to break the bands of barrenness.  Rachel threatened Jacob with her demand, “Give me children lest I die.”  Jacob was angry and said “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”  Gen. 30:2

Jacob knew he could not stand in God’s place as the source of divine plans, changing people, ruling over the womb of the barren or providing the miracle of conception.

 Today there are people who like Rachel demand to change or control the circumstances – be it jealous of others – demanding them for fruitfulness.  It’s their carnal ambition.  Jealousy burns like fire and is the rage of man – Prov. 6:34.  Jealousy is cruel and it consumes character and destroy the potential for true spiritual fruitfulness.

 The bible describes jealousy in two ways: good and bad. For the barren Rachel church it’s the fire of jealousy.  Good jealousy is referred to in Exod. 20:5 “For I the Lord they God am a jealous God” 

2 Cor. 11:1,2 Paul ..for I am jealous over you with godly jealousy” KJV.  The God-kind of jealousy is a zeal of love and of right perspective. Not a self- love but a devotion.

 We must never feed on others’ failures, weaknesses or destructions.

If a person is criticized do we become secretly glad? Do we secretly murmur if a person is blessed?

 (A famous fable – devil crossing the Libyan desert where he met a group of small fiends who were tempting a holy hermit.  They tried seductions of the flesh; they sought to attack his mind with doubts and fears and tell him – he was worth nothing. It was of no use – the holy man was immovable.  The devil stepped forward.  Your methods are too crude. Let me do it. And he went to the hermit and said “Have you heard the news? Your brother has been made the Bishop of Alexandria”.  And instantly there was a scowl of jealousy over his face of the holy man.)

 Rachel had to be set free from this hellish jealousy that was ruining her life and her future.

Quote: Jealousy distorts our personalities, ruins our characters and floods our souls with hell torment.”

 Is there a  Rachel who torment you in your school or working place or in church.  It may be a worship leader or even a business deal , etc.

 Today Rachel church board  are crying over their pastors - “Give us children or we die” – because the church down the road had many converts.  There is competitive spirit.  There is envy and jealousy.  There is an enormous amount of pressure on the pastor to produce and give them children.  The answer is same as Jacob, the pastor could answer them. Am I in the place of God.  The pastor can position, but God provides and produce. Sheep produce sheep the other way around.  Like Jacob sheep can be spot and speckles – position the sheep to produce healthy ones.

Barren churches, barren communities and barren ministries must soaked in intercessory prayer and let God intervene and God produce the fruits in us.  God only chooses to allow barrenness for a season.  He is working according to his perfect plans.

We can be like Rachel crying to God “God give me children or I die in desperation”  We often feel as if God has left us the child bearing responsibility. 

Gen. 30:22 reads, “Then God remembered Rachel and God listened to here and opened her womb.”  The bands of barrenness dropped to the ground when the timing of God was perfect.  God did a complete work in Rachel and who came out “Joseph”  - a type of Jesus.  We did not expect it – it happened - Revival happens!  Those who don’t seek it.  That is Grace! You don’t deserve it – you got it.

 Gen. 30:22-24 recorded Rachel’s testimony:

·         God in His time hearkened to my voice – prayers she uttered

·         God in His mercy has taken away my reproach; sorrow, suffering

·         God has added to my life what was indeed impossible

·         God has used my barrenness as a lesson in brokenness.

·         God has used Joseph for Kingdom purpose, far above our petitions.

 The lessons in School of Barrenness we learn about increased faithfulness, a greater love and dependence upon God, a purified heart, an overflowing sense of joy, a deep-seated peace, long-suffering, a renewed sense of worship. 

Rachel reaped not only the fruit of the womb but also the fruit of the Spirit. Kingdom spirit

Always rules and bless others.   If God is allowing barrenness in your life today, it is only to deepen the level of your fruitfulness for tomorrow.  -  By Frank Damazio