When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Because the LORD has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.
When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!” Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” Then she said, “Here is my servant Bilhah; go in to her, so that she may give birth on my behalf, that even I may have children through her.” So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her. And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son.
Comment: Interpersonal relationships can enrich or blow apart a marriage. From this record we see Leah’s hope of acceptance by Isaac, although she knew he had a special place for Rachel in his feelings. Rachel deeply agonizing over her inability to become pregnant blames it on Isaac who responds snappily, passing the blame onto God. Because of Leah’s sons we know that he was not infertile. Not to be outdone Rachel offers her maid’s womb to carry a child for her. Surely Bilnah’s babe can never fully fill her longing for a child of her own!
Prayer: Help me to see that a second wrong choice doesn’t make the first correct, O Father. Wisdom says that two wrongs don’t make a right.
As I read it! 
Thank you Barry for your comments on this passage. It is most interesting how history seems to be repeated. Abraham and Sarah were unable to have children, so Sarah tells Abraham to go into her servant girl, Hagar, and give her a child through Hagar. Now we have Jacob (not Isaac) being told by his wife, Rachel, to go into her servant, Bilhah, and produce a child through her. so Jacob does what Rachel has asked of him, and a child is born. God bless you.
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