Rachel & Leah: Sisters at War

00:00:00 Speaker 1: If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men, Romans twelve eighteen. Dear Lord, we thank you for the wisdom of your word, which reminds us to live at peace with everyone as much as it depends on us. You call us to seek harmony, to build bridges, and to reflect your love in all we do. When others try to provoke us or stir up conflict, Grant us patience and strength. Help us remain calm and centered in your presence. Teach us to respond with gentleness instead of anger, and with understanding instead of pride. Let our words bring healing where there is hurt, and calm where there is chaos. Anchor our hearts in your perfect peace. Fill us with compassion that we may forgive as you have forgiven us. Guide us to be peacemakers in our homes, workplaces, and communities. May everything we do bring honor to your name and shine with your love. Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to the Chosen People. Remain here for a dramatic story inspired by the Bible. Be sure to share this podcast to help spread God's peace. Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to The Chosen People. Remain here for a dramatic story inspired by the Bible. Be sure to leave a review and share your journey of faith today. 00:01:44 Speaker 2: Previously on the Chosen People. 00:01:48 Speaker 3: Lord Layman, it would be a great act of mercy if you'd give me sanctuary here for a while as my mother's kinsman. 00:01:57 Speaker 2: What's this, lord? 00:01:58 Speaker 3: Nonsense? Sweet sister son, you'll stay under my roof as an honored guest on a refugee com gun, there's a hot pot on the flame. 00:02:09 Speaker 2: Jacob turned his gaze back at Rachel. She glanced back, wondering why he was looking at her. A smile curled on the edges of Jacob's face. He turned to Larbon with a glint in his eye. 00:02:24 Speaker 3: I'll serve you for seven more years. That should be more than enough for your youngest daughter, Rachel's, and in marriage. One thing that certain, dear Rachel, is that I do love you, and seven years of labor for your hand will seem like mere moments as long as I get to see you every day. Leah, what are you doing here? 00:02:46 Speaker 4: I was with you last night, Jacob. Don't you remember what's no? 00:02:50 Speaker 3: What? 00:02:51 Speaker 5: No? 00:02:52 Speaker 3: How is it possible? How was supposed to be with Rachel? 00:02:55 Speaker 6: How? 00:02:56 Speaker 3: How did you? 00:02:57 Speaker 4: My father insisted that it should be this way. He sent Rachel back to her tent and bid me meet you in here to be your wife. We sealed the covenant. It's done a treacherous night. 00:03:09 Speaker 3: They've betreats me. 00:03:11 Speaker 6: I swear, Jacob, I. 00:03:13 Speaker 3: Had no choice, Jacob, Jacob, you know better. I knew you wouldn't take Leah. 00:03:22 Speaker 6: For a bride price of seven years. 00:03:24 Speaker 3: I did what I had to do. This way, I got to marry off my eldest daughter, and you worked my fields for far more years than she's war. It's a win win. Well by that, of course, I mean that I win twice. 00:03:42 Speaker 2: They sealed their promise that night with passion underneath the stars. To Jacob, it was well worth the fourteen years. Yet something was hiding in the margins between love and money, Leah's love for Jacob to Jacob's love for Rachel, Leah's contempt for Rachel, and love and his love of control were all brewing. Like the East and Western, Southern and northern winds, they were doomed to collide, causing a storm of epic proportions. 00:04:21 Speaker 4: He's exactly like this. 00:04:22 Speaker 6: Well. 00:04:23 Speaker 2: Leah was at the shepherd's well, venting to Zilpah. While drawing out water. She gestured to the large stone that sealed the top shut. 00:04:32 Speaker 4: Jacob opens his heart for Rachel, but when I tried to connect with him, he's sealed shut. It's not fair. He was mine first by right. 00:04:41 Speaker 2: Zilpah, her loyal servant, friend and sister, placed a tender hand on Leah's shoulder, her expression one of sympathy and understanding. 00:04:51 Speaker 6: Perhaps when you bear him children, he'll begin to love you earnestly, Mistress. Give a man a son, and he'll treasure you forever. 00:05:00 Speaker 4: We've lain together enough times to make me concerned. I can't conceive. 00:05:04 Speaker 6: Perhaps you may pray to the gods for favor. 00:05:07 Speaker 4: No, they are not my gods. My god is the god of his forefathers Now, Jacob told us how his father was conceived to a woman far beyond her child bearing years. He can open up wombs. I shall pray to him and pour out my longing. 00:05:23 Speaker 2: Leah prayed to the god of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. She asked that he would see her ply and respond with the child. That night, she entered Jacob's tent while he was alone. It was rare, since Rachel was usually with him in the late hours. She made love to him, although Jacob did not to her. Their union was a sad and unrequited one. Leah longed for him, pining for a simple glance of affection in her direction. Still wounded by the tricks played on him, Jacob tolerated Leah long enough to fulfill his husbandly duties and give her a child. When they were through, they lay beside each other in silence. Leah wanted to roll over and hold him. She longed for the simplest touch of genuine affection. Jacob refused, Could you leave my tent now? I have to wake up before sunrise tomorrow and bring the flocks to the shearers. 00:06:21 Speaker 4: You'd send me away so late I could sleep beside you and help you prepare early in the morning. 00:06:28 Speaker 3: No, that won't be necessary. 00:06:30 Speaker 2: Please leave now, Leah laughed quietly, her heart heavy with sorrow. Jacob turned away, burying his face in his blanket, consumed by a maelstrom of guilt and anger, Guilt for not loving Lea and anger at the trickery that had bound him to her. The favor of the Lord shone upon Lea, and her womb quickened with life. The discomfort pregnancy was a small price to pay for the joy of bearing Jacob's child. She sat opposite Jacob, her hands lovingly cradling our belly. 00:07:10 Speaker 4: Jacob, do you think it will be a boy or a girl? 00:07:15 Speaker 3: Laban tells me A man always hopes for a son, but would not love his daughter any less. I think that's how I feel. 00:07:23 Speaker 2: Leah's cheeks flexed with a smile, and her forehead became like a rose. But Rachel seated nearby, or a mask of som be longing. She had yet to conceive, and the weight of her worry grew with each passing day. 00:07:39 Speaker 4: I know it's a boy. God most High has nearly confirmed it. He will be the heir to Abraham's promise. 00:07:46 Speaker 6: We'll see about that. What do you mean, Rachel, I mean we shall see. Jacob's family has an untraditional history. His father, Isaac was the second born. Jacob himself was the second born as well. You'd know these if you were closer to him. 00:08:04 Speaker 2: Leah's eyes fell, shame washing over her. She rose and left, feeling Rachel's jealous gaze burning into her back. In due time, Leah gave birth to a son. She cradled him tenderly, marveling at his dark hair and sturdy frame. To Leah, he was perfect. 00:08:27 Speaker 4: His name shall be Reuben, which means behold a son. Because God has looked at my affliction. He's seen me and answered my prayers. Now I get to present Jacob with a son. He will be an offering of devotion. Now my husband will love me. 00:08:50 Speaker 2: But Jacob's heart remained distant. Though he loved his son, Reuben, he paid Leah little heed. Most of his time was spent with Rachel under the sycamore tree, whispering secrets and sharing laughter. Leah watched from afar, her heart aching for a love that remained just out of reach. She turned to Zilpah, her ever devoted servant, sister and friend. 00:09:15 Speaker 4: She still hasn't given him a child. Perhaps he'll see my value if I conceive again, and the gap between us will close. 00:09:23 Speaker 2: Leah waited until the sunset. Rachel left for her tent, and Jacob returned alone to his Leah whispered to God an earnest and longing prayer. 00:09:33 Speaker 4: Please grant me another son. Hear me, God of Jacob. 00:09:39 Speaker 6: Hear me. 00:09:41 Speaker 2: Once more, Leah called upon Jacob to fulfill his duties. Despite his coldness, Leah clung to the hope that another child might bridge the chasm between them. They conceived again, and months later Leah bore a second son. 00:09:57 Speaker 3: What is his name? 00:09:59 Speaker 4: His name Miss Simeon. Because God has heard that I am hated, he has given me a gift of pity. 00:10:07 Speaker 3: You are not hated, Leah, just not loved. Ah. I'm grateful of the sons you've given me. That is what I'll say. 00:10:16 Speaker 2: Leah's pain and longing lingered each day. The tension between her and Rachel thickened. Rachel made a point to hold Jacob closer when they walked together, tightening her grip around his arm when they passed. Rachel consumed more of his time in the evenings, blocking access to him later in the night. If Leah wanted time with Jacob, she had to be an opportunist like her father. When Rachel left Jacob's tent and returned to hers early in the morning, Leah snuck in. Jacob laid on the bed, sprawled out in heavy slumber. Leah ran her hands over his chest, and kissed his neck. In a dream like days, Jacob embraced her. Leah felt tinger of guilt, but pushed them away. She was locked in Jacob's embrace and received another seed to grow a child, another son. Leah entered the dining hall with her third son wrapped around her chest. Rachel was sitting with her servant, Billa. Rachel's jaw clenched with anger when she saw the child. 00:11:23 Speaker 6: What sad name have you given this one, Leah? Is his name meschneim pathetic? 00:11:29 Speaker 4: No, his name is Levi joined because this third son will finally attach Jacob to me. Our hearts and fates will be bound with these three sons. You know it's true, and that's why you've been so nasty to me. 00:11:44 Speaker 6: I've been nasty to you because you stole my husband from me. He wanted to marry me. You and father tricked him. I bet every time he sees you beside him in his bed, he just sees Laban. That's why he spends most nights with me. 00:12:00 Speaker 4: You're just bitter and jealous, Rachel, jealous of you. 00:12:06 Speaker 6: That's laughable, Leah. 00:12:09 Speaker 2: Rachel stood up and began walking out. Before leaving, she leaned into her sister's ear. 00:12:16 Speaker 6: You may have the sons, but I have the love of our husband. You can't buy that with more children. 00:12:26 Speaker 2: Leah's body tensed with grief. She looked at little Levi curled up against her chest. She heard Reuben and Simeon playing tag outside. Three sons, all gifts given to her by God. Perhaps she had been obsessing over the wrong thing all this time. Maybe these children were gifts given to her instead of bargaining chips for her husband's affection. Months went by and Leah was able to conceive another child. She labored for hours with Zilpah close by. This child was her most painful labor. Love for the child fueled her resolve as she pushed late into the night. Finally, thankfully, the child arrived. Leah held the babe with trembling arms. Tears and sweat soaked her garments. Her chin quivered as she placed a finger on the child's nose. 00:13:19 Speaker 4: I will name you Judah, praise this time. I will praise God. I will praise God for you, little one and all your brothers. You are a gift and a treasure. 00:13:34 Speaker 2: Leah pressed Judah against her chest and wept tears of joy mingling with sorrow. Jacob entered the tent, his expression weary. Leah smiled at him, her warm, contented grin that asked for nothing in return. She placed Judah in Jacob's arms. 00:13:53 Speaker 3: Ah, Judah, now there's a name. What will become of you? Sweet child? Who will you become? 00:14:02 Speaker 2: Rachel was listening from the other side of the canvas when she heard Jacob's tender whispers towards his son. Her heart sank. 00:14:12 Speaker 6: Ah, will I ever be able to give him a son? 00:14:19 Speaker 2: Jacob returned to his tent, weary from a day of hard work and a night of waiting for Leah to give birth. He finally lay down, ready to slip blissfully to sleep. However, his peace was interrupted by heavy footsteps approaching his tent. Rachel burst in and grabbed Jacob by the tunic. She kissed him violently and pressed against him aggressively. Jacob grabbed her shoulders to stop her. 00:14:45 Speaker 3: What on earth are you doing? 00:14:47 Speaker 6: Give me children now? 00:14:50 Speaker 2: She leaned in again with anger and aggression. 00:14:53 Speaker 3: It's not up to me, Rachel. Get off. You're not in your right mind. 00:14:58 Speaker 6: Ah, Are you mad? Jacob? Are you calling me a mad woman. 00:15:07 Speaker 3: That's not what I said. Don't put words in my mouth. 00:15:10 Speaker 6: Give me a child, Jacob, Give me a child or I will die. 00:15:16 Speaker 3: Am I in the place of God. He's withheld the fruit of the womb from you, not me. You're coming to a sheep for eggs. I'm not in control of whether you can conceive or not. 00:15:27 Speaker 2: Rachel threw her fists against Jacob's chest and jumped off him. She paced back and forth, vibrating with jealousy and anger. 00:15:36 Speaker 6: What good am I if I can't give you a child? How soon before you leave my side and bind yourself to Leah. She's the one who's given. 00:15:45 Speaker 5: You sons, Rachel, My love is for you and you alone. You know this, yes, But for how long? 00:15:56 Speaker 6: Jacob? How will we measure up? When I am old and bare and Leah has given you a hundred sons? 00:16:03 Speaker 2: Jacob was silent, shifting his eyes down and to the side. Rachel's upper lip curled upward into a snarl. She was a shepherdess, not a prophetess, but she could see the future. In that moment, she could see Jacob and Leah side by side, advancing the call of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca. 00:16:24 Speaker 6: I won't lose you and my status to Leah. I refuse. 00:16:31 Speaker 3: What are we supposed to do? Rachel? I can't make you fertile any more than I can make the sunrise. 00:16:38 Speaker 6: No, but there are other ways for me to give you children. Marry my half sister and maidservant, Bill Haf. She can have children on my behalf. 00:16:48 Speaker 2: Jacob froze and peered at Rachel for a long while. 00:16:52 Speaker 3: Is is this a trap, No. 00:16:57 Speaker 6: Jacob, this is a way for me to seize control. Bill Ha is still young. She can give you more children on my behalf. We will exercise the ritual of fertility. I will stand over her when she gives birth, so that I too may become fertile. This way, you have a son in my honor, and my womb may be opened. 00:17:22 Speaker 2: Jacob knew about his grandfather's history. He knew about haga Ishmael and the ensuing chaos after Abraham had taken a second wife. Yet for all this knowledge, Jacob couldn't see the trap door to chaos right before him. With the same clueless carnal decision making as Abraham, Jacob agreed. 00:17:43 Speaker 3: Ah very well, send Bill Halen. The two of us will be bound in covenant, and she will give me sons on your behalf. 00:17:52 Speaker 6: Bill Ha, Yes, my lady, we have discussed this matter already. You will bear Jacob's sons on my half. Between the two of us, we will catch up to Leah. As you say, my lady, don't be so uptight now. 00:18:08 Speaker 2: Billah was brought to Jacob's side. Together, they consummated a marriage and bound her future children to Rachel's. It was an awkward and unsavory event. Rachel, warring with her own self worth, shared her husband with yet another. Billah, conceived and bore a son. Rachel, in accordance with the rituals of the time, stood over her in an attempt to open up her womb. It was a vain attempt. 00:18:37 Speaker 4: What should his name be, my lady, His. 00:18:39 Speaker 6: Name will be Damn, For God has heard my voice and judged rightly that I should have a son. 00:18:48 Speaker 2: Jacob's growing family was marked with tension. Rachel and Leah, bound by blood and marriage, were forced to live in close proximity to each other, but their hatred boiled even deeper towards each other since Billa entered the fray. 00:19:05 Speaker 6: Oh isn't damn precious? He's going to be a strong boy. 00:19:11 Speaker 2: Rachel swooned over Billa's child loudly and in front of Lea. 00:19:16 Speaker 4: Yes, Bila must be happy to have such a healthy child. 00:19:20 Speaker 6: He's mine by right too, you know. 00:19:22 Speaker 4: Sure, Rachel, whatever brings you comfort. 00:19:25 Speaker 2: That night, Rachel gave Billa to Jacob again out of spite. Jacob was once again thrust into the middle of a war between sisters. In the moment, he enjoyed playing his part, but with each child born to him, things only seemed to get worse. Billa conceived and bore another son. Rachel laughed at the sight of him. She had a competitive fire in her against Leah. 00:19:52 Speaker 6: His name shall be left Tully with mighty wrestling, I have struggled and wared with my sister and seized a victory. 00:20:02 Speaker 2: Leah paste back and forth, bouncing Judah on her head. Zilpah was close by, weaving a basket for Reuben to take down to the stream for catching toads. 00:20:13 Speaker 4: Rachel so smug about these new children. The one thing I had over her was that I could bear children. But of course, clever, smart and talented Rachel finds a way. It's just like our. 00:20:24 Speaker 6: Childhood bill Has seems happy with the children I met, least glad she gets that joy. 00:20:32 Speaker 4: Don't take their side. Yes, my lady, I've tried many times to conceive another child, but I'm afraid I've dried up or something. At this rate, Rachel and Bila will catch up. And who's to say Rachel won't end up having children of her own. 00:20:48 Speaker 6: I think Jacob is content with having five healthy sons. My lady, do we need to press this further? 00:20:55 Speaker 4: You don't understand. This isn't about Jacob anymore. This is about me and Rachel. This is about who will sit as the matriarch of this family. This is about dominance Zilpah, This is about whose name will be etched next to Jacob's in history. 00:21:14 Speaker 6: Then what do we do, my lady. We can't open your womb to receive more children any more than we can close Bill has. 00:21:22 Speaker 4: Rachel has changed the rules of the game. We'll play by her rules. You'll marry Jacob as well and had children on my behalf. It would be an honor, my lady, Are you sure it must be done? 00:21:38 Speaker 2: Leah gave Zilpah to Jacob, another pawn in the war between Leah and Rachel. Leah spoke truly. It was no longer about love gained and love kept between Jacob and his wives. It had become a battle of dominance. The sons of Jacob were born from petty squabbles of favoritism and vice for power. Zilpah bore two sons, Gad which means good fortune, and Asher, which means happy. They represented Lea's abundance and the growing confidence she had as a woman of prominence in Jacob's household. The heat of summer gave way to the chilly bite of four The morning, dew grew frosted, and the wheat crops were fresh and ready for harvest. Leah knew this was the perfect time to dig for mandrakes, often called love apples, they were well known to affect fertility. Leah sent Reuben out to dig for mandregs. His hands bore through the cold earth, digging up as many roots as possible. When Rachel approached, he was carrying them back to his mother in a basket. 00:22:46 Speaker 6: You there, boy, come here, what do you have there? 00:22:49 Speaker 3: Mandrakes for my mother? 00:22:52 Speaker 6: Give some to me. 00:22:54 Speaker 5: I don't think I should. 00:22:59 Speaker 6: Come now, I'm your dear aunt. Give me some of your mandrakes. 00:23:04 Speaker 4: Stop harassing my son. 00:23:06 Speaker 2: Leah approached with the tenacity of a mother. 00:23:08 Speaker 6: Bear, give me some of your son's mandrakes. 00:23:13 Speaker 4: Huh. Not only have you taken my husband away from me, but now you want my son's mandrakes. 00:23:19 Speaker 6: Enough of that nonsense about me stealing your husband. It's childish. Besides, I need those mandrakes more than you do. 00:23:27 Speaker 4: Yet they're mine to give or keep as I please. 00:23:30 Speaker 6: Come, Reuben, I'll I'll let you lie with Jacob if you give me those mandrakes. 00:23:38 Speaker 2: Lea's ears perked up. Jacob had been denying Lea ever since she stopped bearing him children. An arrogant smile flashed across Rachel's face. Leah claimed that Jacob was her husband, yet here Rachel was a gatekeeper for his bed. She had the real power. Lea's mind went back to the beginning of this man, when she was but a girl. Desperate for Jacob's affection, she longed to be close to him again. She drew a deep breath, nodded to Reuben, and said, give. 00:24:12 Speaker 4: Her the mandrakes. 00:24:14 Speaker 6: You say I stole your husband, fine, but he's mine to give now. Don't forget it. 00:24:23 Speaker 2: Through the agreement. Struck with roots, Leah conceived two more sons, his Hakhah and Zebuln. She also bore him a daughter. 00:24:32 Speaker 4: Dinah, God has given me what's fair, since I've been generous. Now my husband has no choice but to honor me, since I've given him six sons and a daughter. 00:24:44 Speaker 2: Even so, after years of struggle and turmoil, God saw fit to open Rachel's womb. She and Jacob conceived out of love, and thus the grand spiral of love, favoritism, and hatred continued. The grassy plains of Canaan were glowing under the radiance of the stars. The heavens stretched out, bending like a bow across the wilds. Each star was a twinkling witness to Rachel's struggle. Her labored breaths rose with the fire warming her tenth. 00:25:22 Speaker 6: I can't do this. I'm not strong enough. I never imagined this was possible. I thought God had forgotten me. 00:25:34 Speaker 2: Oh ah. 00:25:39 Speaker 3: Ah, what's taking so long? What's wrong? 00:25:43 Speaker 2: Jacob was outside, forming a circle in the dirt with his constant pacing. Rachel lay there looking up at the canvas above. Sweat beat down her brow and back. Jacob Jacob ran close to the canvas wall and placed his face beside it. 00:26:02 Speaker 3: I'm here, my love. 00:26:05 Speaker 2: Rachel closed her eyes and smiled. Having Jacob close helped. She had longed to give him a child since the first time they met. Now, after nearly a lifetime together, here she was only moments away from her dream. She propped her head up and nodded to the midwife. She curled forward and pushed with all her might. He was coming. She did it again, with a high scream. Closer a third time, she clenched her fists and pushed. Her screams were suddenly replaced by the soft cries of a newborn child, a son, A pined after, precious miracle. The minute Jacob heard those cries from the other side of the tent, he ran in His son cried in Rachel's arms. He was the most beautiful thing Jacob had ever seen. Finally he had a child born from love. All other blessings in his life seemed to fade into the background as he gazed upon his miracle child. He held him in his arms. His beaming smile revealed his old and cracked face. 00:27:14 Speaker 3: My son, my son, I shall name you Joseph. 00:27:19 Speaker 2: He kissed his son's cheek and laid him in the arms of his mother. Out of all of his brothers, Joseph carried the favor of his father. The boy would grow up under the attentive wing of his parents and increase in knowledge, skill, and pride. Great would be his rise in his family, and great would be his fall. Jacob expanded his lineage larger than his forefathers could ever imagine, eleven sons to bear the promise given to Abraham and Isaac. Yet the house of Jacob had a foundation built on pettiness, favoritism, and jealousy. Jacob did nothing to thwart the coiling weeds of discord choking out the life of his wives and children. This Prey dot Com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Gotten, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland, Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and Mitch Leshinsky music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the Prey dot Com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google play Store. If you enjoyed the Chosen People, please rate and leave a review.