I didn’t post this yesterday after reading/listening to this episode of the Companion because I didn’t think it significant enough to mention at the time. Nevertheless, I’ve taught our children (& congregations) that, while I don’t think this is the only picture we can glean from Rachel’s taking Laban’s idols, I believe it certainly is one of the pictures. First, the answer I’ve presented stems back to why Jacob had two wives instead of just one. As different persons as they were, I believe Leah and Rachel presented two aspects of Christ’s beloved bride, His church (Eph 5:22-33). Leah was Jacob’s fruitful bride while Rachel was Jacob’s suffering bride, being less “fruitful” until the latter years of her life, suffering a barren womb until Joseph, and even the sorrows of death at the birth of Ben-Oni (Benjamin). Stealing away Laban’s idols is exactly what Christ’s church does as the pillar and ground of truth (1 Tim 3:15). Since idolatry, being the second commandment, is the chief of sins, it is essentially esteeming anything equal to or greater than Jesus Christ; and by preaching the truth of Christ crucified, the church effectively shows the vanity, weakness, and worthlessness of idols. They can be stolen away; they need protection and pursuit from its adorers (as you had well-mentioned in this episode); and they have no value but to be sat upon (or in our backslidden state by the corruptions of our flesh, hidden from others under the secrecy of our guilt’s darkness). Anyway, just thought I’d offer that.
BTW, brother, purchased your book, BREATH OF HEAVEN, on Kindle and read it on my flight to California on the way to MacArthur’s Shepherd’s Conference. Loved it! Ordered enough (I hope) to give a paperback to each family and single in our congregation. Just got them in the mail today. Thank you for your faithful service to the Lord. My prayers are with you, your family, and Christ’s congregation under your care. Have a blessed day!
Maybe Rachel's goal was to deny Laban his false gods in hopes that he would turn to the true God.
I didn’t post this yesterday after reading/listening to this episode of the Companion because I didn’t think it significant enough to mention at the time. Nevertheless, I’ve taught our children (& congregations) that, while I don’t think this is the only picture we can glean from Rachel’s taking Laban’s idols, I believe it certainly is one of the pictures. First, the answer I’ve presented stems back to why Jacob had two wives instead of just one. As different persons as they were, I believe Leah and Rachel presented two aspects of Christ’s beloved bride, His church (Eph 5:22-33). Leah was Jacob’s fruitful bride while Rachel was Jacob’s suffering bride, being less “fruitful” until the latter years of her life, suffering a barren womb until Joseph, and even the sorrows of death at the birth of Ben-Oni (Benjamin). Stealing away Laban’s idols is exactly what Christ’s church does as the pillar and ground of truth (1 Tim 3:15). Since idolatry, being the second commandment, is the chief of sins, it is essentially esteeming anything equal to or greater than Jesus Christ; and by preaching the truth of Christ crucified, the church effectively shows the vanity, weakness, and worthlessness of idols. They can be stolen away; they need protection and pursuit from its adorers (as you had well-mentioned in this episode); and they have no value but to be sat upon (or in our backslidden state by the corruptions of our flesh, hidden from others under the secrecy of our guilt’s darkness). Anyway, just thought I’d offer that.
BTW, brother, purchased your book, BREATH OF HEAVEN, on Kindle and read it on my flight to California on the way to MacArthur’s Shepherd’s Conference. Loved it! Ordered enough (I hope) to give a paperback to each family and single in our congregation. Just got them in the mail today. Thank you for your faithful service to the Lord. My prayers are with you, your family, and Christ’s congregation under your care. Have a blessed day!