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Used And Abused


Philosophy View Of Abused

1. Treated with cruelty or violence, especially regularly or repeatedly.


2. Used in a wrong or inappropriate way.


3. Food can be an abused substance.


Biblical View Of Abused

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness.


Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies.


Envying’s, murders, drunkenness, revelling’s, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19 -21 KJV


I can imagine most of us has felt used and or abused at some point in our lives whether it be from our partners, spouses, children, friends, bosses or church members. It can feel as if you have been betrayed or manipulated. This can really take a toll in our lives. The deceit factor can cause significant mental and emotional harm.


Scriptures gives us the story of Jacob and his two wives Rachel and Leah married to the same man who had been gaining points by using their maidservants to conceive babies so that Jacob would favour them. Bilhah was Rachel’s maidservant. Reuben, Jacob’s eldest son, born to Leah, later slept with Bilhah. what a mess indeed.


And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: Genesis 35:22 KJV


How sad! Bilhah a pawn in the game. How did she cope? From what I can remember I haven’t heard too many sermons preached on Bilhah and the bible doesn’t give too much details about her:


  • How old was she when she conceived Jacobs two sons, Dan and Naphtali?


  • What was going on, if anything between her and Reuben?


  • what exactly happened when she turned around in her tent to see Reuben Leah’s eldest standing there?


  • Did she struggle or welcome his advances?


  • Did the other brothers hear about it?


  • Did Rachel know?


  • Did Leah?


One thing we do know for certain Jacob heard about it.


But what did Jacob do about it? I'm inclined to think that there was nothing he could do or say, it was done. How did you feel about it? we know that this angered him greatly, for a while he may have done nothing, he had no good words for his son at the time of the traditional blessing before his death.


To Reuben he said “you are my oldest son but you are as unruly as the waves of the sea, and you will be first no longer for you slept with one of my wives, you dishonoured me in my own bed” Reuben paid a high price for his sin.


And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.


Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.


Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:


Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiles thou it: he went up to my couch. Genesis 49:1-4 KJV


I can imagine how Bilhah must have felt to know that she was trapped into a used and abused situation. We could do well to remember that the God of Jacob was not unknown to Bilhah. God had changed Jacob whose name was DECIEVER into Israel, a prince with God.


God can change a woman as well as a man into a redeemed forgiven and healed person. You can be sure God knew about it first. Just as he had noticed Leah’s dilemma and heard her cry for help surely He was moved to reach Bilhah, a broken trapped woman in despair.


And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. Genesis 29 :31 KJV


To those of us who are trapped in what seems to be an impossible situation, God offers hope, peace, love and joy. Our dilemma will not go unnoticed. Thankfully God knows all things even when it’s done in secret and He is always willing to hear our cries and come to our rescue when we call on Him especially when He sees that we have been unfairly treated.


THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS MERCY AND GRACE !


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