Jealousy

Is someone jealous of you because you have accomplished a task put in front of you by a boss or a professor? Do easily you win the approval of others? Has your success turned someone else green with envy? Jealousy is defined as the resentment against a rival or a person enjoying success or advantage over another person- and it's everywhere; even in the Bible! The story of Jacob's children (Genesis 30:1-24) is about Rachel's jealousy of her sister (just as Jacob was jealous of his older brother). In today's society, it is easy to get bogged down by those who are envious of us, however it is important to triumph over jealous people.

Leah continued to bear children, while Rachel could not. Thus, Rachel began to lose her mind and jealousy took over her. It was at this time when Rachel gets her maid to bear children for her, and says "I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won (Genesis 30:8 NIV)." So what do jealous people do? It has been my experience that they begin to plot and scheme. Once one of my classmates was jealous of my success in school. This student's scheme was to change the names on our test so that she would be the one to come out on top, and I would receive the lower score. Needless to say, she got caught by the teacher in her attempt to switch the test. Jealous people can lack mercy for others, and their main goal is to damaging the competition.

Jealous people are never satisfied. Rachel became angry with Leah over some of the mandrake plants. "Wasn't it enough that you took away my husband? Will you take my son's mandrakes too (Genesis 30:15)?" This, however, was not enough for Rachel. The depth of a jealous person's insecurities knows not limits. It is important to know that a jealous person is not a generous one. When taking the situation for face value, it appears that Rachel is trying to do Leah a favor, when really all she wants is her husband or the mandrakes. Rachel's technique of manipulation is very common in today's society. Manipulation is another means of controlling others and come in many forms such as, mocking or teasing, using guilt trips, and the use of flattery and praise. Who hasn't experienced the guilt trip put on by a friend or family member?

In the midst of all of the manipulation, God was there. He opened Leah's womb when she cried out to Him. He also opened Rachel's womb when she cried out to Him (despite her actions). In the midst of the battle that was going on between these two women, God's mercy transcended human imperfection. Know that in the midst of God's mercy is God's sovereignty. The good news is, it matters little how those around you try to get the best of you. Ultimately, God is the one who chooses and when God has spoken, no human can spoil God's plans. You must pray and watch God change things.