Rachel

Rachel was the younger daughter of Laban and the woman Jacob loved at first sight. He agreed to work seven years to marry her, 'and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.' But Laban deceived Jacob and gave him Leah instead, so Jacob worked seven more years for Rachel. She struggled with barrenness while her sister bore many children, and she cried out to God in her pain. God remembered Rachel, and she bore Joseph, who would become one of the most important figures in the Old Testament. She later died giving birth to Benjamin. Rachel's story speaks to the depths of love and longing, and to a God who hears our deepest cries.