DoorWays® Ministry Podcast
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DoorWays® Ministry Podcast
Rachel: Beautiful, Loved, Heartbroken
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Rachel’s story is one of beauty, love, longing, jealousy, disappointment, and ultimately resilience. In this episode of Women in Scripture: Unseen, Unheard, and Unstoppable, Rachel Schaible helps us look beyond the familiar details of Genesis 29–35 and discover the deeper spiritual struggles reflected in Rachel’s life.
Rachel had Jacob’s love, yet she still felt empty. She desperately wanted a child, compared herself to her sister Leah, tried to control circumstances, and even depended on household idols. Her story reminds us how easily we can allow unanswered prayers and unmet expectations to define our worth.
But Rachel’s story also points us toward hope. God can bring gain from pain, beauty from ashes, and purpose from suffering. Instead of seeking only God’s hand, we are invited to seek His face—and to trust Him even when His timing doesn't match ours.
People think that if God would only send me a husband or a child or the big house, then I'll be happy. But the words that we need to learn to be content in whatever state we are. People oftentimes are only seeking God's hand and not his face. They're only looking for what God can do for me and not who I can be for God.
Ric ShieldsThere are those people who spend their entire lives facing the one thing they believe will finally make them feel seen, loved, or make them feel like enough. In Genesis 29, we read about one such woman. She had beauty, she had her husband's affection, she had the attention others envied, but beneath the surface was a woman fighting silent wars of comparison, jealousy, disappointment, and the ache of an unanswered longing. Her story reminds us that being loved by someone does not always heal the emptiness within us.
Ric ShieldsToday, we're talking about Rachel, a woman who lived in the tension between desire and delay, between devotion and dysfunction. And if we're honest, her story may feel painfully familiar, because even today, maybe I could say especially today, many people seem to measure their worth by what they don't have.
Ric ShieldsWelcome to Women in Scripture, Unseen, Unheard, and Unstoppable. My name is Ric Shields, and I'm the host of the DoorWays® Ministry Podcast. I'm speaking today with Rachel Schaible, a longtime friend and almost relative. My brother Mike married Rachel's sister, and my wife's sister married Rachel's brother. I know it's confusing. Basically, two brothers with the last name of Shields, two sisters with the last name of Larson, and a brother and a sister with the last name of Grams got married. I doubt that helped to clear things up much. I know it sounds strange, but I promise everything is legal.
Ric ShieldsRachel and her husband Steve have served in various ministry positions for over 50 years. Steve recently retired from his role as the district superintendent of the Assemblies of God churches in South Dakota after serving for 24 years in that position. Rachel was born in Bolivia to missionary parents Monroe and Betty Jane Graham's. At 12 years old, she responded to a tug in her heart at a retreat in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and committed their life to the call of God for ministry. She earned a bachelor's degree from North Central University in 1976 and has been involved in multiple ministry roles ever since.
Ric ShieldsRachel and Steve are the parents of three daughters, in-laws to three sons, and grandparents to seven kiddos. They now live in the Black Hills of South Dakota and enjoy the flexibility of being with family and friends. Rachel, thank you - thank you so much for joining me today. I'm glad you're here.
Rachel SchaibleThank you, Ric. It's a privilege to be here on your podcast. I've known you for 53 years, you and Sheila. And it was especially meaningful back in April to spend a week with you. The circumstances weren't great, but we were both trying to be a blessing to our sister-in-law Sherry Gram's when she was hospitalized.
Ric ShieldsYeah, it was good to see. And I spent more time with you and Steve then than I've spent with you in years. Steve and I used to work together when we were in Bible school. That's been a long time. It's been a long time ago, I hate to admit it. But yeah, it was good to spend time with you, that's for sure.
Ric ShieldsIt seemed reasonable that you and I would talk about your namesake, Rachel. We first met her in Genesis chapter 29. She's introduced as beautiful and deeply loved by Jacob, yet much of her story is marked by longing and disappointment. Would you please take a minute to help us understand some background about Rachel or give us an overview of her story?
Rachel SchaibleRachel is beautiful, she's bought, and she's barren. She's a beautiful woman who falls in love at first sight with a fugitive who happens to be her cousin, Jacob. Her father Laban puts a price on her. So she's bought. That price is seven years of Jacob working. She's a loved wife of Jacob, but she's barren, even though she's the favorite of his and has the first number occupancy in his bed. So being beautiful doesn't always make sure that you're going to be unbarren or loved.
Speaker 1Speaker 1
Despite Rachel being there with him, there's a pattern in her story of deception and favoritism. And we'll see in the story that comes ahead of that happening many times in Rachel's life.
Ric ShieldsJacob agreed to work for Laban, Rachel's father, so he could marry her. When the seven years was completed, Laban pulled a bait and switch and gave Jacob his older daughter, Leah, instead, with the explanation that custom dictated the younger daughter could not be married before the older daughter was married. It's interesting to think that Jacob, known as a trickster, got tricked by his father-in-law. There's quite a lot we can unpack here, but it would take away the focus from Rachel onto that unusual situation. So let me redirect our thoughts here.
Ric ShieldsSo Jacob worked for seven years, got married to Leah, then married Rachel after he agreed to work another seven years. In our culture, built on instant gratification, what can Rachel's story teach us about waiting, persistence, and the cost of love?
Rachel SchaibleIt says in the Bible that it seemed to Jacob like the seven years were only like a few days. And so he knew how to wait. And then when he found Leah in his marriage bed the next morning, must have been really dark at night because he didn't realize.
Ric ShieldsI have not figured out how that could be, but okay.
Rachel SchaibleIt was really dark. And so then he's like, Leah! And then Laban, his father-in-law, says, fulfill her week of being the only wife. And then Laban gives Rachel to Jacob. And then he has to work seven more years.
Speaker 1Speaker 1
I don't think that I could have waited, I can't imagine that, for 14 years to just keep working. And that was the bought price of Rachel. Here, Jacob had to work all this time. Not only that, but he worked a total of 20 years for Laban.
Speaker 1And I think that we need to, in our society, realize that things aren't going to be always coming out of a microwave. We might have to do things in a smoker, which takes a long time. And good things come to those who wait. Love is worth it. You need to be persistent.
Speaker 1Today, at the age we are, Ric, a lot of times people are caring for their spouse. Maybe they have dementia or maybe they have a terminal illness. And so love is worth it. Love is patient and love is persistent and will do that.
Ric ShieldsYou know, for many years I thought that he worked for Laban for seven years, married Leah, and he had to wait another seven years before he had married Rachel, but that's not the case. And you you already mentioned it. He worked seven years, married Leah, and then she had to fulfill her what did you call it, marriage week or something? After which then he married Rachel. And I'm going, imagine two weddings within you know 10 days or so of each other. That was no small deal. Did you invite all the guests to come back? Did they come back? I don't know.
Rachel SchaibleI don't think they had a big wedding, but probably not. And then Laban, Jacob scorns Leah. He doesn't love her, he only loves Rachel, and she's his favorite. So it's a very interesting love story.
Ric ShieldsSo Rachel lived in constant comparison with her sister Leah, especially regarding motherhood and affection. To whatever degree Jacob and Leah did spend time together, and she bore him several children. So how does comparison still quietly damage relationships and damage identity and maybe even damage spiritual health today?
Rachel SchaibleI think today we're constantly measuring ourselves and others' successes. We're jealous. We see other people's perfect lives and all their pictures on Facebook. Of course, we're only going to put the very best pictures on there and the vacation and the yacht and all those things. And it really can cause discouragement or anxiety and dissatisfaction for what God has given you.
Rachel SchaibleThe scripture is very clear that we shouldn't be coveting. And Rachel could have just enjoyed Jacob's love. But instead of that, she was always wanting a child. Even after Leah has four children and Rachel has none, Reuben, Leah's oldest son, comes and he's found some mandrakes. And that was a fertility fruit. And the root of that fruit was in the shape of an unborn child. And so Rachel says, Give me some mandrakes. And Leah's angry at her and says, Why should I do this? You've stolen my husband from me, and now you want to steal my fruit. And so Rachel says, I'll buy you. I'll buy a night for you to spend the night with Jacob. And if you'll just give me these fruits.
Rachel SchaibleAnd Rachel's hoping that then she could be fertile. And yes, Leah has six sons. So she did have some nights with Jacob, but Lord help us with not being envious and not always comparing ourselves to other people.
Ric ShieldsYeah, Genesis chapter 30, Rachel cries out, give me children or I'll die. That's a little melodramatic, maybe, but it's basically I've got to have this fulfillment in my life, or nothing is going to be worth anything. So this emotional moment, what does it reveal about unmet expectations, personal worth, maybe even the pressure that many people feel today?
Rachel SchaibleWell, in that day, childbearing was the only purpose for a woman. And unfortunately, it made her have an awful social status. And if she couldn't have a son, she felt worthless. Today, people don't feel like they are worth anything if they don't have a certain amount of money, or if they don't have a super cool job, or aren't the CEO, or haven't gotten the promotion.
Ric ShieldsBeautiful car, great vacations, that fancy purse, all that stuff.
Rachel SchaibleYeah. And so that makes it so that I'm not worth it, or I'm useless if I don't have those things. And that was how Rachel felt. She says to Jacob, give me a child. And Jacob says, Am I God? You know, pregnancy is from
Ric ShieldsI'm doing all I can.
Rachel SchaibleI've done my part. It wasn't Jacob's fault because he was fine, but it was it was Rachel that wasn't. So we need to accept what God has given us and not allow unfulfilled expectations or people's opinions of us to shape. We miss the when we're distracted by results or a goal.
Ric ShieldsYou're listening to the DoorWays® Ministry Podcast. My name is Ric Shields. I'm joined on this episode by Rachel Schaible, a friend and almost relative, and a woman who has served in ministry from the time she's just a young girl.
Ric ShieldsThe other Rachel we're discussing today is from the book of Genesis, chapter 29, and in later passages. She became the wife of Jacob and eventually becomes the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Yet her fulfillment as a mother did not immediately remove the struggles from her life. It seems as if people may often believe that an answered prayer will solve everything, Rachel. Have you seen that? If I can just get this prayer answered, here we go. Have you seen that?
Rachel SchaibleI sure have. And people think that if God would only send me a husband or a child or the big house, then I'll be happy. But the words that we need to learn to be content in whatever state we are. People oftentimes are only seeking God's hand and not his face. They're only looking for what God can do for me and not who I can be for God.
Ric ShieldsIn some instances, we refer to that as looking for the gift and not for the giver.
Rachel SchaibleThat's right.
Ric ShieldsAnd we want this, but the one who's giving those gifts is less important to us than the gift itself.
Ric ShieldsOne of maybe the lesser discussed moments in Rachel's story is when she steals her father Laban's household idols. In fact, I'm trying to think if I remember anyone ever speaking about that. I know I've read it, but I don't know that I've heard many people speaking about it. Tell us about that. What lessons can we learn about this incident in her life?
Rachel SchaibleRachel stole her father's teraphim. And this was a household god that maybe had something to do with inheritance, or it would secure a spot in property rights. It was a religious protection. And it was meant to be given to the head of the household, the next generation. So Laban would have never given Rachel that teraphim. And of course, we know Leah was the firstborn.
Rachel SchaibleAnd so here Rachel is deceiving her father. He comes after Jacob to say, hey, you snuck off. So there's deception in so many layers of the story of Jacob and Isaac and Rebekah. And so Jacob didn't think he'd get a good send-off and that Laban would deceive him again. Jacob doesn't realize that Rachel was the one that stole this. And she's
Ric ShieldsHe didn't know at all.
Rachel SchaibleNo, he didn't know. And he says, Hey, you can kill the person that has this item that you think I've stolen from you. And here Rachel is sitting on this household god, and it's hidden in a camel's cushion that she's taken off. She says, I can't get up, I don't feel good. This is why I can't get up for you.
Rachel SchaibleAnd it shows that she is a deceiver in one way, and she's depending on that item, that teraphim, to help her instead of trusting God. We need to be dependent on things that will really fulfill us and not temporal things.
Ric ShieldsRachel's story also includes deception, in addition to jealousy and heartbreak and migration, family conflict and loss. It seems important to me that scripture does not sanitize the lives of biblical women. Do you agree with that?
Rachel SchaibleThe Bible doesn't hide anything, it tells life just as it is. If you want to read an exciting book, read the Bible. It's better than a novel or a soap opera.
Ric ShieldsYou might want to skip the book of Numbers. Okay. There's not much really there. There are some books better than others, but these history books. Yeah, but these history books are fascinating. They really are. I'm sorry. I interrupted. Go ahead.
Rachel SchaibleNo, it's fine. The story is all there, and God doesn't sugarcoat it. Realizing that the same God that worked in these lives of these biblical women, He will help us too. God doesn't change. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. And so if you're being deceived or your heartbroken, or if you have a conflict or a loss, it gives you hope because God doesn't change. He's the same God as He was in the Bible.
Ric ShieldsRachel died giving birth to her second son, Benjamin, who she named Ben -Oni, which means son of my trouble. But Jacob renamed the child Benjamin, which means son of my right hand. That refers to both strength and hope. So what does this moment teach us about grief, perspective, and God's ability to bring purpose out of pain?
Rachel SchaibleIt reminds us of that scripture that all things work together for good to them who love God and are called according to his purposes. And that scripture was brought out through Joseph, which was Rachel's firstborn. And when you read the whole story, when Joseph's brothers are so awful to him and sell him, God brings it for good. So God can bring gain out of your pain. And I live that personally. That God will help you. There will be beauty come out of ashes. Joy will come in the morning.
Ric ShieldsRachel's voice echoes throughout scripture long after her death, even being referenced prophetically in Jeremiah and in Matthew. Why do you think her story continued to resonate with generations later? And what enduring message does it hold for our listeners today?
Rachel SchaibleIt holds great significance. She is the literal and spiritual ancestor of the Israelites. She's an example of motherly devotion. Her story represents hope, resilience, and endurance, even though they're suffering. She's called Mother Rachel, the powerful intercessor for the people of Israel when the babies are killed in Bethlehem by King Herod, and that's at Jesus' birth time. She's brought up, like you mentioned, both in Jeremiah and in Matthew. So we, through intercession and prayer, we can be hopeful, we can be resilient, and we can endure even in the times of suffering, because God is faithful.
Ric ShieldsThank you, Rachel Schaible, for joining me today for this episode about Rachel, the other Rachel. As we wrap up our conversation about her, Rachel, the wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin, is there a key thought you'd like to share with our listeners about her life and what truth it holds for us today?
Rachel SchaibleBeing gorgeous and loved doesn't bring fulfillment. Beauty is only skin deep. Guess what? You're gonna age, or you might have an accident and be disfigured. Sorrow and discouragement will come. And in spite of beauty, God's plan for us can help us, and we need to be contented in. Rachel's remembered as a symbol of suffering and resilience for her descendants. How resilient are we when we suffer? Rachel expected her husband Jacob to fulfill her dreams of motherhood. Are you expecting your spouse to fulfill what only God can?
Rachel SchaibleIn her barenness, when Rachel doesn't get her way, she tries to help God out. She gives her handmaiden Bilnah to Jacob so she can have a child through proxy. She tries to put a square peg in a round hole. How many times do we do that? My husband constantly tells me that I'm trying to do that. Are you a Rachel? Do you try to get your own way? Do you try to help God out? Have you been put in a situation where you're competing and striving? Are you grieving over infertility or an unfulfilled dream? Allow God to guide you and have his way.
Ric ShieldsRachel's story does not end neatly wrapped in comfort and resolution. It ends in pain and tears and in a roadside grave. Yet somehow her voice continues to echo through generations of scripture. That says to us that God does not ignore wounded people. Maybe today you're carrying silent disappointment. Maybe you are comparing your life to someone else's, wondering perhaps if God has forgotten you in the waiting. Rachel's life reminds us that even flawed, struggling people still matter deeply to God. Your pain is not proof of his absence. Psalm 34: 18 says, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." And perhaps that's the real miracle of Rachel's story. Not that her life was easy, but that God never stopped seeing her, and neither will he ever stop seeing you.
Ric ShieldsI hope you'll join me next week when I speak with Lea Newcomb, a co-founder and one of the directors of Engedi Refuge in Bellingham, Washington. Engedi Refuge provides safety and restoration for women who have experienced sexual exploitation or trafficking. Lea will chat with me about the story of the Samaritan woman, also known as the Woman at the Well. You may want to read that story sometime this week. It's found in the Gospel of John 4:1-42. I know you'll appreciate Lea Newcomb's insight into that story.
Ric ShieldsSpecial thanks to Raymond and Dr. Aletha Oglesby for their sponsorship of this series on women at Scripture. If you've enjoyed or benefited from this episode or others in the series, I hope you'll comment, like, subscribe, or forward it to a friend who might not have had a chance to hear it. As of the date we recorded this podcast, episodes have been heard in 108 countries by 18,400 people in over 1,400 cities. Many of these locations are considered restricted or closed access nations. You can help us to continue providing these podcasts to people who would otherwise have no access to this content. Please visit doorways.cc/ podcast for information about how you can be a part of the support base that makes these podcasts possible.
Ric ShieldsNow receive this blessing from one of the songs of ascent found in the book of Psalms 121: 7- 8. May the Lord keep you from all evil. May He watch over your life. May He guard your coming and your going both now and forevermore."
Ric ShieldsThanks for listening.
