Gen 35:6-20
6 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. 17 And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. 18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. 19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. 20 And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave unto this day.
How does a husband react in such a time? Do you grieve? Get angry? Blame God? Do you joyfully pass out cigars? Jacob has just watched the woman he worked 21 years for die giving birth to his son. For a moment it appeared to be in question if either would survive. Without knowing it, she was speaking prophetically, and true to her prophecy, the son was born-at the cost of his mother’s life!
Fair? Who can say, at least, who on this side of heaven? Rachael gave up her life to see what she desired come to pass. As cruel as this may seem, it is the way dreams become reality! Ever heard the old saying about waiting for my ship to come in?” The fulfillment of her dream meant the physical death of her earthly life. It changed everything for her, and for those about her. The birth of Benjamin changed the entire dynamic of the Jacob’s household. But fulfilled dreams do that! They change how we spend our time and here we spend our money. If our dreams do not modify our lives then we need to ask and believe God for something bigger-something life changing! Fear not, God is faithful. The end of one thing is the birth of a promise fulfilled!
Rev. John Watford
Lead Pastor
nbcornerstone.com
