Matriarchs of Genesis
Genesis 21:1–7, 25:20–26, 29:31–35, 30:17–24, 35:17–20
Matriarchs of Genesis
Begin in silence…
Smile as you settle into a few moments of stillness. Allow this simple expression to generate a sense of joy and gratitude toward God.
Set the scene…
For today’s scripture reading, we return to Genesis to celebrate the significance of four matriarchs in the story of Israel, eventually leading to the story of Jesus. We begin with Sarah, next is Rebekah and last are sisters Rachel and Leah. All of these women move to the land of Canaan with their husbands, choosing to leave their homelands behind.
Today’s Practice: Celebration
In the Jewish tradition, a parent’s blessing for girls celebrates the four matriarchs of Genesis: “May God make you like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah.”
A meditation traditionally follows: “May God bless you with the strength and vision of Sarah, with the wisdom and foresight of Rebekah, with the courage and compassion of Rachel, with the gentleness and graciousness of Leah – and their faith in the promise of our people’s heritage.”
What a beautiful depiction of the significant roles held by Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah in the Torah. Each woman’s story tells of her courage, her faith, her wisdom and her shrewdness (even if, at times, it looks like deception.) Their impact on the Hebrew people is cause for blessing and celebration today.
Lectio: Read
Pause and smile again. Let this expression guide you as you read aloud or listen to specific passages for each matriarch. We begin with Sarah.
Genesis 21:1–7 NIV: “Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." And she added, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."
No age limit stops God from providing a child through Sarah. Isaac is the long-awaited son and genealogical link; he then marries Rebekah.
Genesis 25:20–26 NIV: “and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram and sister of Laban the Aramean. Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, "Why is this happening to me?" So she went to inquire of the LORD. The LORD said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau. After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau's heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.”
Twenty years pass between Isaac and Rebekah’s marriage and God’s answered prayer for a child. Imagine the battle inside the womb between her two sons, which manifests later as Jacob and Esau become men seeking favor and the birthright blessing. Through trickery Rebekah ensures her favorite son, Jacob, receives his father’s blessing. Yet again, a matriarch holds a central role in the story of God’s chosen people.
Deception follows Jacob as he seeks to marry his beloved Rachel but her father gives him her sister Leah to marry first. Leah’s story is one of significance despite never being loved or favored by her husband.
Genesis 29:31–35 NIV: “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." She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "Because the LORD heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too." So she named him Simeon. Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." So he was named Levi. She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "This time I will praise the LORD." So she named him Judah.”
Genesis 30:17–21 NIV: “God listened to Leah, and she became pregnant and bore Jacob a fifth son. Then Leah said, "God has rewarded me for giving my servant to my husband." So she named him Issachar. Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son. Then Leah said, "God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have borne him six sons." So she named him Zebulun. Some time later she gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah.”
Leah gives birth to six sons who become founders of six of the tribes of Israel. Her story is one of reliance upon God as her comfort and her strength. In a rivalry with her sister to produce sons, she and Rachel also give their servants, Zilpah and Bilhah, to Jacob. This brings forth four more sons for eventual tribes of Israel.
Rachel’s story is one of longing to become a mother. Finally God allows her to become pregnant. Rachel gives birth to her first son, Joseph and sadly, she dies giving birth to her second son, Benjamin.
Genesis 30:22–24 NIV: “Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and enabled her to conceive. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said, "God has taken away my disgrace." She named him Joseph, and said, "May the LORD add to me another son."
Genesis 35:17–20 NIV: “And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, "Don't despair, for you have another son." As she breathed her last--for she was dying--she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin. So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day that pillar marks Rachel's tomb.”
Rachel’s two sons complete the 12 tribes of Israel.
Pause and reflect on these four women whose stories form an important part of the Israelite heritage. What stands out about each woman?
Meditate
Smile as you slowly read the Jewish blessing and meditation for girls again:
“May God make you like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah.”
“May God bless you with the strength and vision of Sarah, with the wisdom and foresight of Rebekah, with the courage and compassion of Rachel, with the gentleness and graciousness of Leah – and their faith in the promise of our people’s heritage.”
Reflect: How can I celebrate the stories of Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah?
Resolve
When you remember the matriarchs of Genesis, remember their important connection through childbirth to the story of Israel and the story of Jesus.