Welcome back to another episode of Living Life’s Way, where we continue our journey through The Handmaiden of the LORD series. This vital podcast is designed for every Christian woman who longs for a deeper, more meaningful spiritual walk with God. (YouTube link below)
In Episode 6, we turn our hearts to the story of Rachael, a woman who had it all—except the one thing her heart ached for: a child. Her raw, honest cry in the midst of barrenness is a powerful reminder that our deepest longings can actually be a pathway to a more intimate relationship with God.
Join Dr. Mary Buck as she explores how Rachael’s persistent faith, even in the face of unanswered prayers and intense emotional pain, teaches us to turn our burdens into a greater dependence on God, who sees us in our most private sorrows.
We hope this podcast is more than just a listening experience; we hope it is an invitation to encounter Jesus in a new and personal way. After listening, we encourage you to use the prayer journal prompts and activity at the end of the transcript. These questions are a perfect way to reflect on your own longings and deepen your walk with Him.
THIS IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
FOR MEDICAL ADVICE OR DIAGNOSIS, CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL.
The Handmaiden of the LORD series
TRANSCRIPT
Episode 6: Rachael: The Longing Heart
Dr. Buck: Welcome back to The Winepress Podcast and our series, “The Handmaiden of the LORD.” I’m your host, Dr. Mary Buck, and I’m so glad you’re joining me today as we continue to explore the lives of remarkable women in the Bible – women who can teach us so much about what it means to be a true servant of God in our own lives. Women such as Mary Magadalene, Abigail among many others. Remember you can access previous episodes in this series on our YouTube channel.
Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the story of Rachael, found in the book of Genesis, starting in chapter 29. Beginning with her initial meeting with Jacob – a whirlwind of instant connection, a surprising deception, and a deep love that led to years of service. Rachael was beautiful, deeply loved by Jacob, yet her early years in their marriage were marked by a profound sorrow: barrenness. Rachael could not bear children.
To assist us in delving deeper into Rachael’s experience and connect it with our own journeys, I have Abby, my digital assistant, with us today with some thought-provoking questions. Abby?
Abby: Hello, Dr. Buck, As we reflect on Rachael’s longing for children, what can Christian women today, who may be facing their own deep desires and unmet longings, learn from her story about their relationship with God?
Dr. Buck: That’s a beautiful and crucial opening question, Abby. Rachael’s barrenness wasn’t just a personal disappointment in that culture; it carried significant social and emotional weight. For a woman, bearing children was often seen as her primary role and source of identity. So, Rachael’s longing would have been all-consuming.
What we see in Rachael is a heart that cries out in her distress. Genesis 30:1 tells us, “When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, ‘Give me children, or I shall die!'” It’s a raw, honest, and desperate plea. And in that desperation, we see a woman grappling with God’s timing and His plan.
Abby: That honesty is striking, Dr. Buck. From a Christian perspective, is it always encouraged to bring such raw emotions and even frustrations to God?”
Dr. Buck: Absolutely, Abby. God doesn’t shy away from our genuine emotions. In fact, He invites us to pour out our hearts to Him (Psalm 62:8). Rachael’s pain, while intense, ultimately led her to a deeper awareness of her need for God’s intervention. Her words to Jacob, though perhaps emotionally charged, reveal a fundamental truth: ultimately, life and the blessings of life come from God.
Later in her story, when God opens her womb and she gives birth to Joseph, she declares, “God has taken away my reproach” (Genesis 30:23). This signifies her understanding that God was the one who had heard her cries and answered her prayer.
Abby: So, Dr. Buck, even in the midst of our longings, whether they are for children, for healing, for a change in circumstances, or for a deeper spiritual connection, Rachael’s story reminds your listeners to turn to God as the ultimate source of fulfillment?
Dr. Buck: Yes, Abby. Rachael’s journey teaches us that our longings can actually draw us closer to God. They can be a catalyst for deeper prayer, greater reliance, and a more profound understanding that God is the one who satisfies the deepest desires of our hearts, even if the answer doesn’t come in the way or in the timing we expect.
Rachael’s story also shows us the complexities of life and relationships. The rivalry with her sister Leah, fueled by barrenness and Jacob’s favoritism, highlights the human element of struggle and the importance of seeking God’s peace in the midst of difficult circumstances. Even when life feels unfair or we see others blessed in ways we are not, our focus must remain on our relationship with the Lord.
Abby: That’s a powerful reminder, Dr. Buck. Considering the importance of focusing on one’s own relationship with God rather than comparing oneself to others, what would you identify as the key ‘handmaiden characteristic’ that can be gleaned from Rachael’s experience of longing and eventual blessing?
Dr. Buck: Abby, I believe Rachael’s story underscores the characteristic of persistent faith in the face of unanswered prayers. Despite years of barrenness and the emotional pain it caused, Rachael continued to desire children and ultimately, God answered her. Her longing didn’t drive her away from the possibility of God’s blessing; it seemed to fuel her desire for it. For us today, it means holding onto faith, especially in these end times, continuing to bring our petitions before God, and trusting in His perfect timing and plan, even when we don’t understand it.
Abby, Dr. Buck, we’ve run out of time again. Would you like to close in prayer and pick up again in the next session?
Dr. Buck: Yes, of course, Abby, Let’s prepare our hearts for prayer, my sisters in Christ, whatever longings you carry in your heart today, know that God sees you, He hears your prayers, and He cares deeply for you. Like Rachael, bring your raw honest emotions before Him. Trust that He is working in your life, even when it doesn’t feel like it. Your longing can be a pathway to a deeper intimacy with the God who loves you beyond measure.
Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the story of Rachael. We thank you for her persistent faith in the face of unanswered prayer, and for your faithfulness in answering her prayer. Lord, we lift up every woman listening today who carries a burden of barrenness–of unmet desires. We ask for your comfort, your peace, and your strength to trust in your perfect will and timing. Help us, like Rachael, to turn our longings into deeper dependence on you. May we never lose faith, knowing that you are a God who hears and answers prayer.
And as always, we pray that if anyone listening today doesn’t know you as their personal Lord and Savior, that they would open their hearts to your love and accept the incredible gift of eternal life you offer. We know, Father, that in these end times, You are the one who can keep your people safe and at peace. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Thank you for joining me today on The Winepress Podcast. Until next time, may God’s grace and peace be with you.
And remember, as God gets bigger in our lives, we get stronger.
Journal Prompts and Activity
Journal Prompts: The Longing Heart
Based on the story of Rachael in Genesis 29-30, reflect on the following questions throughout the week. Take your time with each one, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and heart.
The Cry of a Longing Heart: Rachael’s desperate plea to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!” reveals the raw, honest pain of her unmet desire.
- What is the “longing” in your heart that feels all-consuming and urgent? How have you handled the emotional weight of this desire?
- In what ways can you bring your own raw, honest emotions and frustrations about your unmet longings directly to God, trusting that He invites you to do so?
Comparison and Contention: The rivalry between Rachael and her sister Leah was fueled by barrenness and Jacob’s favoritism, highlighting the human element of struggle and comparison.
- When you see others receiving the very blessings you long for, how do you respond? What are the ways you might be tempted to compare your journey to someone else’s?
- How can you actively choose to focus on your own relationship with God, rather than on the blessings or perceived shortcomings of those around you?
Persistent Faith in God’s Timing: Despite years of barrenness, Rachael continued to desire children, and God answered her prayers in His perfect timing.
- Reflect on a time in your life when God answered a prayer after a long period of waiting. What did you learn about His character during that time?
- What does it mean for you to hold on to persistent faith in the face of unanswered prayers? Write a short prayer asking God for strength to trust in His perfect timing for your current longings.
Activity: A Pathway to Intimacy
This week, dedicate a specific time each day to praying about your most significant longing. Instead of just listing your desires, focus on a prayer that expresses your dependence on God as the only one who can truly satisfy you. After your prayer, read and meditate on Psalm 62:8, “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” Use this verse as a reminder that your longing can be a pathway to a deeper intimacy with the God who loves you.
Living Life's Way 