Genesis 30:1-8 (ESV)
Jacob’s Children (Part 2)
30 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!” 2 Jacob’s anger
was kindled against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” 3 Then she said, “Here is my servant Bilhah; go in to her, so that she
may give birth on my behalf, that even I may have children through her.” 4 So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her. 5 And
Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. 6 Then Rachel said, “God has judged me, and has also heard my voice and given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan. 7 Rachel’s
servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. 8 Then Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister and have prevailed.” So she called his name Naphtali.
The longing that most women (I said most), is to get married and to have children. It is really tough on those who
have not been able to have children and my heart pours out to them. It can change the way they view others and even create jealousy. We see this in today’s reading between Rachel and Leah. It even takes it’s toll on the marriage.
We see in today’s reading that Rachel is putting pressure on her husband Jacob and envied her sister. Much like Sarah did to Abraham, Rachel offers her servant to Jacob to bear children for her. Jacob then bears more children with Rachel’s
servant (Bilhah). I don’t know about you… but doesn’t this sound like the Jerry Springer Show?
I pray: O Lord, help us to
walk according to your ways, not ours. Help me to be faithful to my wife alone. Amen.