Gen 30

The truly dysfunctional family is the story for c 30. Rather than enjoy and rejoice in the oldest sister's fortune, Rachel was jealous and went as far as blaming Jacob for his sexual prowess. She went as far as giving her maids to Jacob as wives so that she could enjoy the sons born to them rather than through Leah. As a result, 6 sons were born to Leah, 2 to Bilhah and 2 to Zilpah. Rachel was even distraught enough to use "mandrakes". According to the commentary, "Mandrakes were plants. People thought that those plants could help a person to love his or her partner. They thought that the plants could help barren women. The plants would help such women to become pregnant. Rachel had never been pregnant. And she was desperate to have children. This is why she wanted the mandrakes." Clearly, Leah was not the favorite even with Jacob when it meant spending "love and relational time" but she was the most fertile as she produced 6 of the 12 sons that were Jacob's. The Bible usually doesn't record female births but the one of significance (in future chapters) was Dinah. The Lord finally granted Rachel her wish after many years of learning to depend upon God and gave her two sons.

The chapter ends with the parting of Jacob and Laban. Jacob was so trusting in God that he didn't scheme to take the best but rather the blemished as his parting wages. Laban, being the snake that he was, was willing to have one over on Jacob even after Jacob made him wealthy beyond measure. The markings on the cattle that Jacob had were surface at best since God gave him stronger animals as a part of the blessing.

God was in this family despite the strife that existed. He granted blessings not out of their goodness but out of His and the promise.

Another decent day yesterday and hopefully the trend continues. Glad to see that GG got all he needed to get done and will look forward to seeing him in Denver this weekend.

Praise for today: I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. Ps 140: 12