Day 10 - Jacob's Family

Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and opened her womb.  Genesis 30:22

Footnote:

Each of the three great patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) had wives who had difficulty conceiving children.. It is interesting to note how each man reacted to his wife's predicament. Abraham had relations with Sarah's maidservant in order to have his own child, thus introducing bitterness and jealousy into his family. Isaac, by contrast, prayed to God when his wife was barren. God eventually answered his prayers, and Rebekah had twin sons. Jacob, however, followed his grandfather's example and had children by his wives' maidservants, leading to sad and sometimes bitter consequences.

Jacob's many wives (two wives and two "substitute" wives) led to sad and bitter consequences among the children.  Anger, resentment, and jealousy were common among Jacob's sons.  It is interesting to note that the worst fighting and rivalry occurred between Leah's children and Rachel's children, and among the tribes that descended from them.

In case you missed it:

Jacob and Leah had Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah (only daughter).

Jacob and Zilpah (Leah's maidservant) had Gad and Asher.

Jacob and Rachel had Joseph and Benjamin.

Jacob and Bilhah (Rachel's maidservant) had Dan and Naphtali.

Keep reading -- 355 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV.