30:1,2
Rachel is jealous of Leah’s having so many children while she has none. She demands that Jacob give her children, and Jacob reacts with anger. We see wrong reactions on both sides here. Rachel is putting Jacob in the place of God. It is a mistake for any wife to put her husband in the place of God and will always lead to nothing but trouble. The husband should provide godly leadership in a household, but he is not God, he is not in control of everything. Jacob knows that he is not God, but then reacts with anger. In a similar situation, his father Isaac had prayed for Rebekah and God gave her children (Gen 25:21,22).
30:3-8
Rachel then goes for the Sarai solution, telling Jacob to sleep with the servant girl. Jacob, like Abraham, slept with the servant girl, and Bilhah became pregnant. The plan is the same, but it does not seem to have quite so disastrous consequences this time. We should also note that in the culture of the time, this was an accepted practice (which doesn’t make it right). Sarah was resentful when Hagar became pregnant, but Rachel rejoices. In fact, Rachel is so pleased with the outcome that the arrangement continues and another son is born. Note that Rachel sees this as a “victory” over her sister. So far there are lots of bad attitudes and actions around.
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