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Bible Notes - Tabernacle Commentaries
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Genesis 30:1
Comments
The evils of polygamy and its hurtfulness are seen throughout this passage. Moses has already told us more than once that Rachel was loved by Jacob in preference to Leah, and yet this polygamous arrangement is going to undermine even her confidence in her husband’s affection. Leah was bearing children; God had given her several sons by now – although the children may not be listed in strict chronological order – but Rachel was barren. She is full of envy and her envy turns to hostility. Childbearing was considered of such importance in the ancient world, that Rachel believes that Jacob’s love may turn away from her if she is barren. This is her obsession: to secure Jacob’s love, and she believes this can only be done by producing children for him. How does she solve her problem? She does not pray at this stage, as far as we know. She is angry even with God. Her jealousy towards Leah is so strong, that it even produces conflict between her and Jacob. He still loves her, but this outburst from her irritates him. She comes to him as if he is to blame for the situation, and demands from him something that he is not capable of delivering: ‘Give me children, or else I die.’ That is putting it very strongly, but shows how this strife with her sister made life itself unbearable to her. Her barren state was from God, and came partly because of Jacob’s favouritism towards Rachel, but he was powerless to give what she asked. Jacob is angry, because her fury is oppressive. He is angry with her for implying that it is his fault, and in not going to the Lord for help, who is the only giver of children. ‘Has God withheld from you fruit of womb and put me here to take the blame?’ Jacob believes that Rachel’s barrenness is of the Lord, and while the Lord does this, who is Jacob that he can alter it? Jacob shows that he too wanted children by Rachel, and it was a grief to him also. Keil comments that Jacob himself should have prayed with Rachel that he would open her womb, and in not doing so he failed to comfort her.
Application
Are we like Rachel and does something that we want on earth take over our whole being? We may even pray to the Lord, and yet the focus of our prayer is to get something here on earth. Are we not willing to tolerate a situation which is difficult for us to bear, because we are not fully submitted to the will of God? Humility before God is the first duty of all facing trials. He may have reasons for chastising us which are for our good, and we must consider that. So the passage describes these events at length to teach these important lessons.
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