Jealousy... doth mock the meat it feeds on.

 October 23, 2020 (Friday)

 

Jealousy. Shakespeare noted, “O beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.” (Merchant of Venice) Jacob’s married life is marred by jealousy. The children learn this behavior trait to the point where it becomes the family reputation.

 

The vicious cycle starts when God ordains Rachel to remain childless why Leah gives birth to Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. Leah’s heart cry in naming the first three sons runs along the lines of wanting her husband to love her. When she has Judah, she declares, “This time I will praise the Lord.” [Genesis 29:35b]

 

One thing jealousy does to its victim is to cloud judgement. A second thing it does is, it creates a victim mentality by blaming others. “When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!” [Genesis 30:1 NIV] In those days it was a terrible thing for a wife to be childless. Rachel demands Jacob give her children, or else. She is threatening suicide. I know that’s dark, but there it is.

 

The third thing jealousy does is it makes its victim act irrationally desperate. “Then she said, “Here is Bilhah, my servant. Sleep with her so that she can bear children for me and I too can build a family through her.” [Genesis 30:3 NIV] Bilhah’s first son is named Dan, which means “God’s judge” (or “God has judged”).

 

The fourth thing jealousy does to its victim is divide people. Bilhah’s second son is named Naphtali. “Then Rachel said, “I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won.” So she named him Naphtali.” [Genesis 30:8 NIV] The point is she viewed her sister as an adversary. Reading it in the Hebrew, as it explains the name of the boy, would suggest she also viewed this as the struggle against God.  (More on that in a later study.)

 

The fifth thing jealousy does, it spreads like cancer to others. “When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife.” [Genesis 30:9 NIV] Now it becomes a competition. Jealousy is beginning to seriously feed on the family and infect its decision making process.

 

The sixth thing jealousy does is it causes its victim to turn to dark things. The story continues with Reuben finding some mandrake plants. Rachel bargains with Leah for the mandrakes. “So when Jacob came in from the fields that evening, Leah went out to meet him. “You must sleep with me,” she said. “I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night.” [Genesis 30:16 NIV] 

 

So what’s the point behind mandrakes? Mandrakes are “hallucinogenic plants in the nightshade family.” (Britannica.com) “European mandrake” is believed to have “magical powers,” including “increase interest in sexual activity.” (webmd.com) One thought on this story is the possible belief that mandrakes were connected with fertility.

 

From the story it sounds like Jacob has been reduced to a pawn. Leah purchases him and Rachel intends to drug him. The result? Leah has two more sons. She no longer focuses on her husband loving her, instead she wants him to honor her (see Genesis 30:19). 

Later Rachel gives birth to Joseph and Benjamin. (Cue dramatic music). The life and feared death of these two sons will become the source family drama and Jacob’s misery. Stay tuned!