THE BATTLE OF THE BABIES: PART II

Biblical narratives often have two plot lines. One is the story line contained in the events themselves; these are the things that happen to the characters. They represent real-life circumstances that people just like us faced. The other might be called the theological plot of the narrative. Behind the particular events that shaped the lives of people like Jacob, Leah, and Rachel was the unfolding plan of God. This plan was not always apparent to those who were part of the story.

This was certainly true in the battle between Rachel and Leah. On one level God was fulfilling His promise to Abraham. He was building Abraham’s line of descent. On another level He was setting the stage for the birth of Joseph and Jacob’s eventual relocation to Egypt. This in turn would pave the way for the great redemptive event of the Old Testament—Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt led by Moses. On a much larger scale, all these smaller plot lines would eventually coalesce in God’s ultimate work of redemption.

The connection between these plot lines is implied in Elizabeth’s song of praise in Luke 1:25, in which she echoes the words of Rachel and Leah. God was doing more than giving Jacob a family. He was creating a line through which He would one day send a Redeemer. But as far as Jacob’s experience went, it just seems like a mess. Like Jacob, Leah, and Rachel the story of our lives also reflects two plot lines. We are mostly aware of the story line of our daily events. We experience the struggle or see the mess. We usually do not know how they fit into God’s larger plan until after the fact. But we do have one great advantage. We know how the story ends.

APPLY THE WORD

The conclusion to our story is recorded in Romans 8:28–30. God works all things for the good of those who love Him. He redeems our experiences—even the messes—into an outcome that will be good. Our destiny is to be conformed to the image of Christ. The end of our story is to see and experience the glory of God.

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