Joseph was eleventh born of the sons of Jacob. He was born as Jacob’s first son through Rachel. The Bible records that God remembered Rachel and hearkened unto her and opened her womb and she conceived and bore Jacob, her son Joseph saying that The Lord shall add to her another son. She also expressed that God had taken away her reproach (disgrace or shame of being barren).
From the birth of Joseph, we learn a few truths that may not be explicitly evident.
First, God remembered Rachel, teaching us that God does not forget.
Second God hearkened to Rachel, teaching us that God is a listening and prayer answering God. This also informs us that Rachel was praying to God. Earlier we see that Rachel has bartered her husband Jacob for some mandrakes which she superstitiously thought would have made her fertile. Now we see that she is seeking of the Lord and not resort to some lore, folklore. The superstitious Rachel becomes a supplicating Rachel.
Third, God opened Rachel’s womb, teaching us that it is only the Lord God who can produce life and remove all barrenness.
Fourth, God had taken away her reproach.
Fifth, The Lord shall add to Rachel another son, teaching us that God can add. It also speaks to us about Rachel’s faith and trust in the Lord.
Points to ponder:
Jesus remembered us while we were still sinners and unproductive and did not forget us. (Romans 5:8)
Jesus listens to our prayers and he is a prayer answering God (John 14:13). Let us believe and hope in the Lord than hope on some false lore.
Jesus is the only one who can make us productive for we can do nothing without him. (John 15:4)
Jesus’ grace takes away our disgrace as sinners and turns us into saints. As believers and followers of Jesus, we have nothing to be ashamed of, for he was shamed on the cross to take away our shame. (Isaiah 49:7; Isaiah 50:6-8; Hebrews 12:2; Colossians 2:13-15)
Jesus, the Son of God, was made the Son of man so that God can bring many sons to glory i.e., add us all as sons (and daughters) into his family, for to all who believe in Jesus and who have received him, they are given the power to be called the sons of God (John 1:12)
Are you a son/daughter of God?
Genesis 30:22-24 (KJV)
22 And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.
23 And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:
24 And she called his name Joseph; and said, The Lord shall add to me another son.
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