14 Now in the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and found mandrakes in the field , and brought them to his mother Leah . Then Rachel said to Leah , "Please give me some of your son's mandrakes ." 15 But she said to her, "Is it a small matter for you to take my husband ? And would you take my son's mandrakes also ?" So Rachel said , "Therefore he may lie with you tonight in return for your son's mandrakes ." 16 When Jacob came in from the field in the evening , then Leah went out to meet him and said , "You must come in to me, for I have surely hired you with my son's mandrakes ." So he lay with her that night . 17 God gave heed to Leah , and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son . 18 Then Leah said , "God has given me my wages because I gave my maid to my husband ." So she named him Issachar . 19 Leah conceived again and bore a sixth son to Jacob . 20 Then Leah said , "God has endowed me with a good gift ; now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons ." So she named him Zebulun . 21 Afterward she bore a daughter and named e her Dinah . 22 Then God remembered Rachel , and God gave heed to her and opened her womb . 23 So she conceived and bore a son and said , "God has taken away my reproach ." 24 She named e him Joseph , saying , " May the Lord give me another son ."
25 Now it came about when Rachel had borne Joseph , that Jacob said to Laban , " Send me away , that I may go to my own place and to my own country . 26 "Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me depart ; for you yourself know my service which I have rendered you." 27 But Laban said to him, "If now it pleases e you, stay with me; I have divined that the Lord has blessed me on your account ." 28 He continued , " Name me your wages , and I will give it."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 30:14-28
Commentary on Genesis 30:14-24
(Read Genesis 30:14-24)
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.
Commentary on Genesis 30:25-43
(Read Genesis 30:25-43)
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.