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Drama Devotional - Jacob's Triangle

Have actors split into groups of three. Tell them they are going to improvise a scene between Biblical characters. Have the actors first select which character they will play. Then read them the following.

Situation

Jacob loved Rachel from first sight. He agreed to work for her father Laban for seven years to win her hand. But Laban pulled a switch on them on their wedding night, substituting Leah for Rachel. Genesis says, "In the morning there was Leah." Laban explained that the elder daughter must marry first, but really he just wanted Jacob to work another seven years.

So Jacob had two wives – sisters and rivals for his affection. Leah began producing babies; Rachel did not. Rachel felt Jacob's love; Leah did not. The competition heated up with each woman giving her maidservant to have children in her place. When one of Leah's sons finds mandrakes, believed in folk lore to cause conception, Rachel bought them from Leah, paying for them with a night of Jacob's services. Jacob found himself in the midst of four contentious women and an ever-expanding family of children.

Character Considerations

Jacob

This was not what you originally had in mind when you proposed to marry Rachel. How do you feel about Leah, now that she has borne you sons?
How do you feel about Rachel who so far has been barren?
How do you feel about being the man in the middle?
Does your position make life terrible for you? Or do you see some good here?
Do you think the God of Abraham and Isaac, who spoke to you when you fled Canaan, is in this? If so, how?

Rachel

You had a wedding, but your honeymoon was stolen from you. How does that affect you?
How do you feel toward Leah, who had the man you love before you did and who now is having babies while you still wait?
How do you feel toward yourself? What do you think Jacob is thinking about you?
The word "barren" has several meaning and connotations. What does the word say to you?
In your relationship with Jacob, is love enough? Can love last even without children?
How do you feel toward God? Is God blessing Leah and not you? If so, why?
Does your position make life terrible for you? Or do you see some good here?

Leah

How do you feel toward your sister Rachel who has Jacob's love but has not borne him children?
How do you feel toward yourself?
You named your first sons with names inspired by "the Lord has seen my misery," "The one who hears," "attached," and "praise the Lord." Why did you choose those names?
Do you think Jacob has become attached to you because you have borne him sons? Are feelings of attachment enough for you?
Does your position make life terrible for you? Or do you see some good here?

Assignment

Discuss these issues with your team. Come up with a dialogue between the characters and/or individual monologues by the characters. This will be rough, but that's okay. The point is to enter this scripture and explore the moment.