Leah, Ten (10) Bible Study Points – April 2, 2016

Leah: Her name may mean “Impatient” or “Wild Cow”

Her Character: Capable of both strong and enduring love, she was a faithful mother and wife. Manipulated by her father, she became jealous of her sister, with whom, it seems, she never reconciled.

Key Scriptures: Genesis 29-35; Ruth 4:11

1. Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the youngest was Rachel.

 

2. Leah is described as having weak eyes, but Rachel was very beautiful and well favored. (Genesis 29-17 NIV)

 

3. Jacob was in love with Rachel, Leah’s younger sister

 

4. Laban [the father] was deceptive by giving Leah to Jacob to marry instead of Rachel whom he was in love with. Genesis 29:16-30

Genesis 29:22-23 So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her (Leah).

 

5. Jacob worked Seven year with the intent on marrying Leah’s younger sister.

Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. ²⁷ Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.”  Genesis 29:26-27

Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years. Genesis 29:30 NIV

6. Jacob Married Leah and her sister

 

7. Leah was not loved by Jacob

And when the LORD saw that Leah [was] hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel [was] barren. And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD had looked upon my affliction, now therefor my husband (Jacob) will love me. ³³And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I [was] hated, he hath therefore given me this [son] also: and she called his name Simeon. ³⁴And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi. Genesis 29:32

8. Leah gave birth to her first son, believing that Jacob would love her.
9. Leah had three sons that were fathered by Jacob
10. Leah and her sister together were known for building up the family of Israel.

Ruth 4:11 Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, “We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.

Sources:

1. NIV Study Bible, Zondervan Corporation, 1995
2. Syswerda, Jean, Women of the Bible, Zondervan, 1999

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Athaliah and Jehosheba – Women of the Bible 10 points for Bible Study – October 24, 2015

Our lesson of Athaliah and Jehosheba comes from the book of 2 Kings 11; 2Chronicles 22; 23:11-21

Athaliah

1. Athaliah – Her name means “The Lord is Great”.
2. Athaliah was the granddaughter of Omri, one of Israels most idolatrous and evil Kings.
3. The “only” woman to rule over Judah.
4. The daughter of Ahab and most likely of Jezebel as well.
5. Controlled by her need for power, she murdered her own family members.

Jehosheba

Key Scriptures: 2 King 11:2; 2 Chronicles 22:11

1. Jehosheba her name means : “Swear by His Name”.
2. A Princess and the wife of the high priest.
3. Saved the life of her nephew Joash which was ordered to be killed by her Baal worshipping half sister Athaliah.
4. Jehosheba was very smart. She hid Joash in the temple of the Lord. A place where Athaliah would never think of looking for him.
5. Through the brave actions of Jehosheba the lineage of David was protected and our salvation through the Messiah was assured.

Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies For Individuals And Groups, Jean E. Syswerda, Zondervan, 1999.

Rachel Bible Study, 10 Points for Bible Study 4/25/2015

Rachel-A Woman of the Bible
By Ethel Robinson

Our Lesson of Rachel, comes from the book of Genesis 29-35; Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:18

1. Her name means “Ewe”

2. Rachel was manipulated by her father; she has little to say over her own life circumstances and relationships. But rather than dealing creatively with a difficult situation, she behaved like a perpetual victim, responding to sin with yet more sin, making things worse by competing with her sister and deceiving her father in return. (2, page 32)

3. The Daughter of Laban and the younger sister of Leah.

4. Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful.

5. Jacob was in love with Rachel, and told Laban he would work seven years for him in the
return of his youngest daughter Rachel.

6. Rachel’s sister Leah was married to Jacob by deception
Genesis 29: 19-20 Laban said, “It is better that give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed to like only a few days to him because he loved her. Then Jacob said Laban, “give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.”

7. Rachel was deceived by her father.
Genesis 29:22-23 So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her (Leah).

8. Rachel eventually marries Jacob after another seven years goes by.
Genesis 29: 26-28 Laban replied, “It is not our custom her to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work. And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife.

9. After being barren God answered Rachel’s prayers.
Genesis 30:22-24 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.

10. Rachel bore two sons Joseph and Benjamin.

1. The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan 2008 Edition (All scriptures)

2. Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups, Jean E Syswerda, Zondervan, 1999, pg. 221.