I may be stating the obvious here, but let me just tell you, “It’s not over until you cross the finish line.” So many times in our lives, we give up in the middle of the race. When we see the finish line is too far or we’re too tired to run, we simply stop and give up.
However, this should not be the case. Let me share with you the story of Rachel.
In Genesis 35, we witness the heart-wrenching story of Rachel’s passing before reaching her promised destination. In a way, she hasn’t crossed the finish line yet but her life with ended. If you’ve been following along with the readings, you’ll recall the earlier chapters in Genesis where Rachel grappled with the pain of infertility. While her sister Leah flourished with children, Rachel’s womb remained empty, a source of deep sorrow.
Yet, despite her anguish, Rachel’s faith remained steadfast. She was faithfully running her race. That’s when God finally blessed her with a son, Joseph. She rejoiced and prophesied that she would have another child:
22 Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. 23 And she conceived and bore a son, and said, “God has taken away my reproach.” 24 So she called his name Joseph, and said, “The LORD shall add to me another son.” Genesis 30:22-24
She believed in God’s power to fulfill His promises.
However, Rachel’s race took a tragic turn. Her faith wavered, and she clung to idols instead of fully trusting in God. In a moment of desperation, she even stole her father’s idols as she fled with Jacob. This act of disobedience would have devastating consequences.
Laban pursued Jacob, looking for his idols. When confronted by Laban, Jacob unknowingly pronounced a curse on Rachel. We read:
31 Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I said, ‘Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force.’ 32 With whomever you find your gods, do not let him live. Genesis 31:31-32
For Jacob, he knew perfectly well that he didn’t steal the idols of Laban. However, he didn’t know that it was Rachel.
As Rachel went into labor with her second child, the pain was excruciating—Genesis 35:16 describes it as “hard labor.” This anguish, compounded by her disobedience, proved fatal, and Rachel tragically passed away during childbirth.
Rachel was so near to her destination, yet her race was cut short. Though her second son was safely delivered, she never had the chance to savor the joy of her labor.
You see, no matter how far you got in your Christian journey, the race hasn’t ended yet unless and until you cross the finish line. Don’t waste all the effort and time you put into serving God by just stopping mid-way. Endure until the end because once we cross that finish line, that’s when we will receive the crown of life!
P.S. Do you like to read more Bible stories and derive powerful lessons from them? If yes, then you will love our online course, “Inspiring Stories.” This course comes with 40 insightful and powerful stories that teach you how to live a victorious Christian life!
