PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY - MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT
April 21st, 2026.
The Bible did not tell us why Rachel stole her father’s gods. It is possible that Rachel's actions were a reflection of her struggle between the different religious beliefs and practices, (Jacob’s faith in the Living God versus Laban’s worship of idols) but it is also possible that her actions were hinged on pure revenge motivated by her love for her husband. She probably knew what would hurt her father the most. Whatever her motive was, it was obvious she committed many sins - a chain reaction - she stole, she lied, she took revenge, she hurt her father, and she hid the gods - all of which are against God’s commandments. We will never know what she intended to do with the gods she stole.
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Pet. 3:9)
“Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods” when he pronounced; ”if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live.” (Gen. 31:32 NIV) Jacob pronounced the death sentence immediately.
The sin of rebellion attracts the death penalty. God said to Adam, “but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” (Gen. 2:17) Korah’s rebellion cost him and his family members to be buried alive. (Num, 16:31-33) Acts of disobedience are rebellion against God. The immediate punishment is spiritual alienation. But we all have a second chance to repent and be sewn back into the fold. The absence of repentance is eternal death.
There was no indication that Rachel repented or regretted her actions for stealing her father’s gods. We must bear in mind that Jacob’s lineage was specially chosen through God’s covenant with Abraham. "And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation". (Exo 19:6; Deut. 7:6) Rachel bringing other gods into this family was an abomination. Somewhere during their journey back to Bethel, Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem.” (Gen. 35:2 & 4) It was shortly after this that Rachel died at childbirth (Gen. 35:16-18).
Did she die from the curse Jacob pronounced earlier? Did she regret her actions or was it the pain of child labour that informed her naming her son Ben-oni (Son of my sorrow)? We may never know but this we know; “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov. 18:21). Rebellion or defiance no matter how small has a price tag. Are you willing to pay the price? If not, stay in the path of truth. Be obedient, touch not the unclean things….
THE WORD: “Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.” (2 Cor. 6:17 NLT)
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