Knowing The Word in Genesis 30:1-13, Dueling Sisters

1 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!” [Rachel should have prayed, not protested.] 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?” [After a beautiful love story, this is the only insight we get into their marriage. Jacob stands in line with his father and grandfather, understanding that children are a gift from God and part of the promise.] 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.” [Sound familiar? This is what happens when protest overtakes prayer, when one’s will overtakes God’s.] 4 So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob [compliantly] 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 [to judge/vindicate]. [We never hear that God heard her or acted as he did with Leah. This is purely Rachel’s interpretation of her request to God. Unlike Sarah, she accepts her servant’s son as her own.] 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. [Naphtali means “mighty or divine wrestlings.” Jacob had wrestled with Esau in the womb, now Rachel wrestles with her older sister to replace her. Is she wrestling with her sister only or with God who has already opened Leah’s womb but has now shut it?]

9 When Leah saw that she had ceased bearing children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. [Two can play this game!] 10 Then Leah's servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son. 11 And Leah said, “Good fortune has come!” so she called his name Gad. 12 Leah's servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. 13 And Leah said, “Happy am I! For women have called me happy [perhaps looking forward to having her daughter, Dinah].” So she called his name Asher.