Genesis 30

The Tribes and Troubles of Israel

Genesis 30 continues the story of Jacob in the home and household of Laban. In spite of all that had been in his life which ought not to have been, Jacob continued to know God's blessing. His life is a practical, real-life illustration of the fact that where sin abounded, grace abounded all the more. Indeed, that is the hope of the Gospel - that in spite of all that we do by misusing and abusing our privileges, God remains faithful, and continues to maintain his love for his people. It is his unfailing devotion to his church that sets the foundation of all Gospel hope and all Gospel blessing.

Jacob had married both Leah and Rachel. Now, in spite of the fact that the law prohibiting adultery had not yet been given, this was clearly a breach of God's intention for his creation. He had made it clear in the relationship between Adam and Eve that one man and one woman are to live together in an exclusive, committed relationship, if they are to know the blessing of God on their marriage. But in the Old Testament we find instances of men of God transgressing these principles and stepping outwith the bounds of God's moral requirements. God tolerated their misbehaviour in this period of small things and lesser revelation, but did not excuse it. And often we find that the fact that God's word has been ignored and his standards fallen from brings added tension and disruption to the lives of homes and families within the covenant people.

That was what Jacob experienced here. Leah and Rachel are two sisters; but Leah bears children when Rachel cannot. Rachel agonises with God over the matter, because Leah taunts her for her infertility; Rachel, for her part, is jealous of Leah for her fertility. At last, we read that "God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her, and opened her womb" (30:22).

In this day of scientific advancement, particularly in the whole area of fertility treatment, perhaps we need to remember first principles. The giving of life is God's prerogative, as the taking of life is his prerogative. Rachel's answer is to pour out her heart to God and to seek his blessing, which he graciously bestows. The world of Jacob's day may have been without our science, but the world of our day is to a large extent without the spirituality of the patriarchs, and the poorer for it.

The Tribes of Israel

The chapter gives an account of the birth of the sons of Jacob. These twelve young lads will grow and father whole nations. The story of the Old Testament is centred around the twelve tribes, whom God has determined to settle in the land of Canaan, to know his blessing and to enjoy his fellowship. From the tribes will come the church of God in the world - God's peculiar and particular treasure. The whole story of redemption, and the whole progress of the redemption story, focusses in large measure upon these tribes.

How little Jacob knew - or Leah or Rachel, for that matter - of the significance of these little children for the future. How little we know of the future of our families and of our households. But if we know that the purposes of God are being worked out in the world, and that our homes and families belong to the covenant community of God, we must believe that there is a place for our families in God's plan, and a place for God in our plans.

The Troubles of Israel

Verses 25-43 of this chapter are obscure. They tell the story of an agreement between Laban and Jacob for wages. Jacob asked leave to return to his own land. For wages, he asked Laban for part of the cattle. Laban agreed, but then deceived Jacob a second time by removing some of the cattle and the sheep himself. The purpose of this seems to have been to limit the possessions of Jacob, by making sure that all his animals will be of one colour, and of less value than a mixed flock.

But then, after Jacob's animals had conceived, it seems that Jacob returned to Laban animals that were not so strong as his own, with the result that "the feebler were Laban's and the stronger Jacob's" (verse 42). The writer traces the prosperity of Jacob to this incident. Although the incident is difficult to understand, in the following chapter Jacob makes clear that it was God who had prospered him (31:9).

Jacob is the victim of Laban's ingenuity, but by the blessing of God he comes out richer in the end. That is the blessing of all whose lives are safe in God's hands. Whatever men may do to us, or say of us, there is one guarantee in the Bible - those who trust in Christ will be richer than all the rest. Sometimes it is good for us to be exposed to the rough and tumble experiences of life, where we must place all our hope and confidence on the God who works together all things for our good.