Chapter 30:
| Calvin
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Revelation Exodus
Genesis 30
Concise Complete
A further account of Jacob's family. (1-13) Rachel
beareth Joseph. (14-24) Jacob's new agreement with Laban to serve him for
cattle. (25-43)
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 the promises of
God to Abraham; whose posterity were promised the richest blessings, and from
whom the Messiah was to descend.
Verses 25-43
The fourteen years being gone, Jacob was willing to depart without any
provision, except God's promise. But he had in many ways a just claim on Laban's
substance, and it was the will of God that he should be provided for from it. He
referred his cause to God, rather than agree for stated wages with Laban, whose
selfishness was very great. And it would appear that he acted honestly, when
none but those of the colours fixed upon should be found among his cattle. Laban
selfishly thought that his cattle would produce few different in colour from
their own. Jacob's course after this agreement has been considered an instance
of his policy and management. But it was done by intimation from God, and as a
token of his power. The Lord will one way or another plead the cause of the
oppressed, and honour those who simply trust his providence. Neither could Laban
complain of Jacob, for he had nothing more than was freely agreed that he should
have; nor was he injured, but greatly benefitted by Jacob's services. May all
our mercies be received with thanksgiving and prayer, that coming from his
bounty, they may lead to his praise.
Chapter 30:
| Calvin
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Revelation Exodus
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
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Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
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Amos
Obadiah
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Zechariah
Malachi
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John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
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1 Thessalonians
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1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
