Review of Genesis 30

— by Victor Fawole

It’s been an exciting ride as we’ve been studying the life of Jacob. In this chapter, we read the records of the births of Jacob’s sons and one daughter, through his two wives (Rachel & Leah) and their two maids (Bilhah & Zilpah). We also read about the rivalry between these two sisters, as they used childbirth to compete for Jacob’s love and favour. Let us delve in:

1. JACOB’S FAMILY EXPANDS
After God blessed Leah with four sons (Gen. 29), the “barren” Rachel was enveloped with envy towards her sister. Her envy led her to blaming her husband, who in his angry reaction, accused God. Isaac prayed to God for his wife’s barrenness, but here, Jacob blamed God for his wife’s barrenness. Same problem; different reactions.

People say “this life isn’t balanced”. We have a case like that here.

Leah must have been thinking: “I will be a happy person if I could be as beautiful and lovable as my sister…”

…while Rachel must have been thinking: “I will be a happy person if I could have children like my sister…”

The sisters envied each other. For an understanding of how envy runs in family circle, listen to this sermon by Pastor Dammy titled: “Proverbs About Envy”

“Give me children, or else I die.” What an exasperation!Rachel had enjoyed the greatest share and show of her husband’s love, yet she was not satisfied. She felt that Leah was “ahead” of her. Envy truly rots of the bones! She then plunged herself into a competition with Leah. They both gave their maids to their husband as “bonuses” in the competition. One can only imagine the tension in the family.

In all of these, God was “silent”, but in His sovereignty, He was in total control of everything. He would eventually open Rachel’s womb and bless her with Joseph, Jacob’s 11th son. Welcome to Jacob’s “House of Commotion”.

2. JACOB’S WEALTH INCREASES

Gen. 30:25-27 And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country. Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee. And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake.

Jacob felt it was time to return to “his country” – Canaan. However, both Laban and Jacob understood that God had blessed Laban because of Jacob. They negotiated and agreed that Jacob would take all the speckled and spotted sheep and goats, and all the brown/black lambs as his wages. Laban agreed, having a different plan in mind.

To begin with, Laban thought he had the upper hand since the speckled and spotted animals were rare and few. He also removed those few speckled and spotted animals from his flock, handed them over to his sons, and created a long distance (three days’ journey) between himself and Jacob, to prevent any possible mixing of the flocks. The odds were highly against Jacob.

What Jacob did here was a common animal husbandry/breeding practice in the ancient eastern world. However, this process was not the “cause” of his success. God was the One who gave Jacob the insight and controlled the genetics and reproduction of the animals (Genesis 31:5–13). God was the One who blessed Jacob.

So, what are the key lessons that we learn in this chapter?

• God is the giver of life and the opener of the womb.
• God is also the One who controls genetics and reproduction.
• God has the power and the authority to give wealth. To understand how God’s Providence is a way to get wealth, listen to this sermon by Pastor Dammy titled: “What the Bible Says About Money — Part 1”
• God blesses our dedication at work, and helps us through our relationships with difficult bosses.
• We are to always pray for divine wisdom and insights that will heighten our innovation and sharpen our vision.
• We are to serve as shining examples at our businesses, whether as an employer or employee, a contractor or client, a seller or buyer.
• As much as it depends on us, changing jobs should be a peaceful process – such that we will not leave a bad testimony or reputation for ourselves.

I believe that we found our Bible reading this week to be very insightful. Till next time when we continue our journey through Genesis, I say:

Grace to you, Church!