Rivalries in Jacob's Tent
Genesis 30:1-22
I. Rachel’s Envy (vs. 1-8)
a. What was the heart of the problem causing conflict in Jacob’s house?
b. Who does Rachel fault in her not having children?
c. Who does Jacob acknowledge has power to open or close the womb?
d. What was Rachel’s solution to her not having children?
e. Does Bilhah the handmaid have a choice in this matter?
f. How many sons does Bilhah have and who claims and names them?
g. How does verse 8 reveal the conflict and attitudes that existed in Jacobs house?
II. Leah Follows Rachel’s Example (vs. 9-13)
a. What prompts Leah to give her handmaid Zilpah to Jacob as wife / concubine?
b. Who names Zilpah’s sons and what are their names?
c. How does this passage reveal that Leah counts Zilpah’s sons as her own children?
d. How does Leah expect her status to improve with these additional two sons?
III. Drastic Efforts (vs. 14-24)
a. What does Reuben find that he delivers to Leah?
*in the ancient middle east this herb was considered an aid to conception (see also Song of Solomon 7:13).
b. Why would Rachel have desperately wanted some of the mandrakes?
c. What in verse 15 indicates there is still great conflict in the relationship between Rachel and Leah?
d. What does Leah offer as the price for the mandrakes?
e. How did God respond to the heart cry of Leah?
f. How does the Lord respond to Rachel’s grief over not having children?
APPLICATION: How does this passage of Scripture show God’s design for marriage was one man and one woman?
