Competition= pt of life/ cornerstone of capitalism

   We enjoy it in sports/ watch in elections/ find best buys

But competition in reltnshps is never good

          Today look at The Battle of the Brides

I.                  Players

A.               Jacob = husband/ dcvr who got deceived

Wkd 7 yrs for R only to get Leah

B.                Leah = oldest dghtr/ wed to Jcb by deceit

Weak eyes – something missing

   Not loved by Jcb v31

C.               Rachel = younger dghtr

Loved by Jcb // barren

D.               Bilhah = R maidsvnt

Given to Jcb to have sons

E.                Zilpah = L maidsvnt

Given to Jcb

F.                Children – meet later

II.                Prejudice & Pride of Leah, v31-35

A.               Prejudice -- God knw L not loved, so opened her womb

B.                Pride – starts having chldn/sons – proud

Thinks chldn bring her love

*Names of sons –

-Reuben= see a son/Ld seen misery

-Simeon= one who hears/Ld heard not loved

-Levi= attachment/ now Jcb become attached

-Judah= praise/ thanks God

III.             Plea of Rachel, 30:1-2

R tells Jcb – give me chldn! He becomes angry

IV.            Ploy of Rachel, 30:3-8

Gives Jcb Bilhah – she has chldn for R

          Dan= vindication/God heard my cry

          Naphtali= my struggle/with Leah

V.               Plot of Leah, v9-13

Even though bore 4 sons – still competition

          Gives Jcb Zilpah who bears sons

                   Gad= good fortune/L happy

                   Asher= happy

VI.            Purchase of the Potion, v14-21

Reuben finds mandrakes (small fruit= aphrodisiac)

          R trades her night w/ Jcb for mandrakes

                   Not work – instead L has more kids

          -Issachar= reward/ blsd for giving Zilpah

          -Zebulan= honor/Jcb honor b/c of sons

          (Dinah)

VII.         Prayer of Rachel Answered, v22-24

R finally get pregnant and bear Joseph=may he add/ taken away reproach

VIII.      Principles for Us

A.               Control of God- opened Leah and closed R

B.                Competition leads to Conflict – leads to more jealousy/envy and pain

C.               Can’t Earn Love – L thought get Jcb love by having chldn – no

We think earn God’s love more do – He loves us anyway!!

No need to compete for God’s love