Genesis:30

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* Verse 1-13 - Rachel envied her sister : envy is grieving at the good of another , than which no sin is more hateful to God , or more hurtful to our neighbours and ourselves . She considered not that God made the difference , and that in other things she had the advantage . Let us carefully watch against all the risings and workings of this passion in our minds . Let not our eye be evil towards any of our fellow-servants , because our Master 's is good . Jacob loved Rachel , and therefore reproved her for what she said amiss . Faithful reproofs show true affection . God may be to us instead of any creature ; but it is sin and folly to place any creature in God 's stead , and to place that confidence in any creature , which should be placed in God only . At the persuasion of Rachel , Jacob took Bilhah her handmaid to wife , that , according to the usage of those times , her children might be owned as her mistress 's children . Had not Rachel 's heart been influenced by evil passions , she would have thought her sister 's children nearer to her , and more entitled to her care than Bilhah 's . But children whom she had a right to rule , were more desirable to her than children she had more reason to love . As an early instance of her power over these children , she takes pleasure in giving them names that carry in them marks of rivalry with her sister . See what roots of bitterness envy and strife are , and what mischief they make among relations . At the persuasion of Leah , Jacob took Zilpah her handmaid to wife also . See the power of jealousy and rivalship , and admire the wisdom of the Divine appointment , which joins together one man and one woman only ; for God hath called us to peace and purity . * Verse 14-24 - The desire , good in itself , but often too great and irregular , of being the mother of the promised Seed , with the honour of having many children , and the reproach of being barren , were causes of this unbecoming contest between the sisters . The truth appears to be , that they were influenced by the promises of God to Abraham ; whose posterity were promised the richest blessings , and from whom the Messiah was to descend . * Verse 25-43 - The fourteen years being gone , Jacob was willing to depart without any provision , except God 's promise . But he had in many ways a just claim on Laban 's substance , and it was the will of God that he should be provided for from it . He referred his cause to God , rather than agree for stated wages with Laban , whose selfishness was very great . And it would appear that he acted honestly , when none but those of the colours fixed upon should be found among his cattle . Laban selfishly thought that his cattle would produce few different in colour from their own . Jacob 's course after this agreement has been considered an instance of his policy and management . But it was done by intimation from God , and as a token of his power . The Lord will one way or another plead the cause of the oppressed , and honour those who simply trust his providence . Neither could Laban complain of Jacob , for he had nothing more than was freely agreed that he should have ; nor was he injured , but greatly benefitted by Jacob 's services . May all our mercies be received with thanksgiving and prayer , that coming from his bounty , they may lead to his praise . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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