This is part of a video series covering the entire Bible in 4 years, one chapter at a time. Start at the beginning with Genesis 1 (Youtube link: https://youtu.be/wC2qD4RGOdo) and work through the playlist. Or go to https://www.peace.org.au/bible.html for more information.
In this video listen to Genesis 30 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.
In Genesis 30 infertility is again an issue in the scriptures and Rachel is unable to have children. She copies Sarah - her grandmother in law and gives her servant to her husband. This time there is no competition between servant and owner, but there is competition between sisters and wives, Leah and Rachel.
Infertility can happen for many reasons, but in this chapter we see it was the Lord, for his own undisclosed reason, that closed Rachels’ womb. At Peace, we have had the blessing of seeing many infertile couples blessed with children, and John Alley, long-time senior minister here has a grace for those type of prayers. I (David Alley) was the result of such a type of situation where the Lord opened my mother’s womb.
Finally a heap of children are born to the two sisters and their two servants - a total of eleven sons, with one more to come later.
In this chapter we see competition between wives in a polygamous sitution and it demonstrates why God never intended this. Jacob was deceived into polygamy, and his culture allowed it, but the scriptures show it was never God’s plan. When women compete for a husband’s attention it puts stresses on everyone that were never meant to exist.
Finally the chapter ends by Jacob now working for real wages and wealth, that is for sheep and goats. Once again he uses trickery to get again, and this time Laban reaps what he sows.
Jan 31, 2021 | Message by David Alley