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THEME: SISTERS WITH SILENCED VOICES 

SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 29:15-31

Jacob works for His uncle in return for his two daughters as his wages and wives. 

REFLECTION 

Sisters with silenced voices is the theme for our reflection. To be silenced means to be prevented or prohibited from speaking or expressing one’s self. Leah and Rachel, the daughters of Laban were products of a culture that commoditize women and take away their power and will to make decisions for themselves. Laban without the consent and approval of the two daughters declared them as a form of wages in return for the services rendered to him by his nephew, Jacob. “Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you, therefore, serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” (Genesis 29:15-31).

We are told, that Jacob specifically loved and asked  Rachel to be given to him as his wage for working for seven years yet Leah is made to marry Jacob because she was the firstborn.  She had no opportunity to reject the decision of the Father and the so-called cultural norm which stipulated that the firstborn must marry before the second, although, it was clear that “… he (Jacob) loved Rachel more than her (Leah)…” (Genesis 29:30). Rachel on the other hand could not protest being made a second wife and a rival to her sister and since she would become the sweetheart and of Jacob. It was obvious the marriage of the two sisters to Jacob will bring about issues of discontentment, bitterness, and rivalry among them and their children. Regardless of the silenced voice of these two sisters, their father’s aim was to improve his economic gains by trading them for the services of Jacob.

It is important to note the voices of many women in some African cultures are still being silenced through arranged and forced marriages. It is always about what the men want but not about what women also desire as persons or human beings with their own unique personality, will, purpose and discernment. Women are forced into marriage for political, economic, and unfortunately in some instances for religious reasons as we see in the Trokosi system which existed some parts of the Volta region in Ghana. Some ethnic groups are still practicing betrothal and early marriage which has undermined the development of many young girls and women. We must not only pray about these retrogressive practices that have silenced the voices of women in these cultures but we must intentionally act as believers to liberate women through the application of the relevant laws that protect the rights of women and teaching people the value God has placed on women as equal partners to men in the world.

Marriage must be enjoyed and not endured, parents especially fathers must not sacrifice their daughters for their self-interests in politics and business affiliations. There are fathers who practically force their daughters to marry men within the elite class, who have political power, have access to resources, and could connect them to business opportunities. What about the emotional need and personal aspirations of the silenced lady or woman in question? Would she have to live her entire life under the shadow of her parents’ decision of forcefully marrying a man against her will? Well, that was what Leah and Rachel had to endure for the rest of their lives. Some women are currently in marriage because their husbands only value them for the purpose of procreation and that was exactly what happened to Leah. She was important because she could bear children for Jacob, nothing more. Women who find themselves in the shoes of Leah are not happy wives, the only thing that brings them fulfillment and joy is motherhood. In other words, some women are still married not because of their husbands but because of their children. You may be a good and loving father or parent but be mindful and considerate so that you do not end up forcing your precious daughter for whatever reason, into a marriage she has no say in, because that decision may have a long-term devastating effect on her after you are long dead and gone. Shalom.

PRAYER

ALMIGHTY GOD, CURE US OF OUR SELFISH DESIRES AS MEN AND FATHERS AND ENABLE US TO RESPECT THE DIGNITY OF WOMEN EVEN AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO REFORM RETROGRESSIVE CULTURES AND PRACTICES AGAINST WOMEN IN THE WORLD. AMEN.

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)