Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Genesis 30:22
Observe Rachel's fretfulness, is by divine grace changed into prayer; for it is said that the Lord hearkened to her. 1 Samuel 1:27 . read more
Observe Rachel's fretfulness, is by divine grace changed into prayer; for it is said that the Lord hearkened to her. 1 Samuel 1:27 . read more
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 the promises of God to Abraham; whose posterity were promised the richest blessings, and from whom the Messiah was to descend. read more
The Birth of Joseph v. 22. And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. It seems, then, that when all her schemes and stratagems failed, she turned to God in fervent and patient prayer, and that the Lord, in answer, removed her barrenness. v. 23. And she conceived, and bare a son, and said, God hath taken away my reproach; v. 24. and she called his name Joseph (He shall add); and said, The Lord shall add to me another son. In taking away from Rachel the... read more
SECOND SECTIONJacob’s wives and children. Jacob and Rachel, Laban’s youngest daughter. First and second treaty with Laban. His involuntary consummation of marriage with Leah. The double marriage. Leah’s sons. Rachel’s dissatisfaction. The strife of the two women. The concubines. Jacob’s blessing of children Genesis 29:1 to Genesis 30:241Then Jacob went on his journey [lifted up his feet] and came [fled] into the land of the people [children] of the east [morning]. 2And he looked, and behold a... read more
Sons Born to Jacob Genesis 30:1-24 The details of this paragraph are given with great minuteness, because they concern the twelve sons of Jacob, the forefathers of Israel. After all, history is made in the nursery, and we are very much what our mothers have made us in the formative years. An old Spanish proverb says, “An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy.” Leah’s influence on her boys, as judged by their subsequent life, was anything but healthy; yet with Jacob being the man he was,... read more
In reading these stories we must never forget that we are looking at things as they were in that far-gone time and must make all necessary allowances for the imperfect light in which these people lived. That, however, does not prevent our seeing how much is chronicled here which contradicts the principle of faith. It is the story of domestic trouble and heart-burning out of which arose actions utterly out of keeping with the life of simple trust. Nevertheless, throughout there is a manifest... read more
‘And God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. And she conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach.” And she called his name Joseph (yoseph), saying, “Yahweh add (yoseph) to me another son.” ’ The bearing of children through her handmaid has its own effect on Rachel’s body and at last she herself bears a son. Now she feels she can identify herself with Yahweh and His covenant. And in her exultation she looks to Him for more sons. Her words show... read more
Genesis 29:31 to Genesis 30:24 . The Birth of Jacob’ s Children.— This section is from JE, with slight touches from P. Roughly Genesis 29:31-Habakkuk :, Genesis 30:9-1 Chronicles : is from J, Genesis 30:1-Joshua :; Genesis 30:8 is from E, Genesis 30:14-Jeremiah : mainly from JE, the two strands here being hard to unravel. It records the origin of the tribes of Israel. It reflects conditions a good deal earlier than those known to us in the history of Israel. In the later period Reuben... read more
CRITICAL NOTES.—Genesis 30:23. My reproach.] That is, the reproach of my barrenness. (See Luke 1:25; 1 Samuel 1:6; Isaiah 4:1; Isaiah 4:1.)—Genesis 30:24. Joseph.] “Adding,” or, “he will add.” It may also be rendered in the form of a prayer, “May the Lord add another.” Thus it would be a prophetic declaration of the event which was accomplished in the birth of Benjamin.—MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Genesis 30:22-24GOD’S FAVOUR TOWARDS RACHELI. It was long delayed. The blessing which Rachel... read more
The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Genesis 30:1-43
In the Service of Laban Genesis 29-31 The story occupied by Genesis 29-31 represents one of the oft-recurring mysteries of human life. That is to say, in view of what has just taken place, that story seems to be an anti-climax, and is felt to be, in some serious sense, even a disappointment. It is almost impossible to bring the mind from the contemplations upon which it has just been fixed to read such an incident as that which spreads itself over these three chapters. When a man has seen... read more