The Sons of Jacob: Born of Envy, Strife, and Longing

What do envy, rivalry, and the longing to be loved have to do with the gospel?

In this episode, Pastor Mace Perez helps us explore one of the messiest family stories in the Bible: Leah and Rachel competing for love, bearing children through schemes, and hoping each time, “Maybe now he will love me.” It's raw. It's emotional. And it’s incredibly relatable.

This passage shows us what happens when our deepest ache—to be seen, valued, and loved—leads us to strive and control rather than trust. But it also reveals something beautiful: God’s grace works in and through the mess. The story of Jacob’s sons isn’t just the origin of the 12 tribes of Israel, it’s part of Jesus’ story. And it invites us to stop striving for love that’s already been offered to us in Christ.

If you’ve ever tried to earn approval, measure up, or control outcomes to feel worthy, this is for you.

🕊️ Key themes:

The ache to be loved and the drive to earn it

How God’s grace meets us in our striving

Why the gospel frees us from performance

The surprising beauty in a broken origin story

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who’s wrestling with identity, purpose, or feeling “enough.”

💬 We’d love to connect!

More info: www.thejourneyhouston.org