was he, of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came. Whatever is the matter of our rejoicing,
ought to be the matter of our thanksgiving. Fresh favours should quicken us to praise God for former
favours; Now will I praise the Lord more and better than I have done. All our praises must centre
in Christ, both as the matter of them, and as the Mediator of them. He descended after the flesh
from him whose name was “Praise,” and He is our praise. Is Christ formed in my heart? Now will
I praise the Lord.
Chapter 30
Chapter Outline
A further account of Jacob's family. (1–13)
Rachel beareth Joseph. (14–24)
Jacob's new agreement with Laban to serve (25–43)
him for cattle.Verses 1–13
Rachel envied her sister: envy is grieving at the good of another, than which no sin is more
hateful to God, or more hurtful to our neighbours and ourselves. She considered not that God made
the difference, and that in other things she had the advantage. Let us carefully watch against all the
risings and workings of this passion in our minds. Let not our eye be evil towards any of our
fellow-servants, because our Master's is good. Jacob loved Rachel, and therefore reproved her for
what she said amiss. Faithful reproofs show true affection. God may be to us instead of any creature;
but it is sin and folly to place any creature in God's stead, and to place that confidence in any
creature, which should be placed in God only. At the persuasion of Rachel, Jacob took Bilhah her
handmaid to wife, that, according to the usage of those times, her children might be owned as her
mistress's children. Had not Rachel's heart been influenced by evil passions, she would have thought
her sister's children nearer to her, and more entitled to her care than Bilhah's. But children whom
she had a right to rule, were more desirable to her than children she had more reason to love. As
an early instance of her power over these children, she takes pleasure in giving them names that
carry in them marks of rivalry with her sister. See what roots of bitterness envy and strife are, and
what mischief they make among relations. At the persuasion of Leah, Jacob took Zilpah her handmaid
to wife also. See the power of jealousy and rivalship, and admire the wisdom of the Divine
appointment, which joins together one man and one woman only; for God hath called us to peace
and purity.
Verses 14–24
The desire, good in itself, but often too great and irregular, of being the mother of the promised
Seed, with the honour of having many children, and the reproach of being barren, were causes of
this unbecoming contest between the sisters. The truth appears to be, that they were influenced by