Genesis 30:14 During wheat harvest, Reuben went out into the fields and found some mandrake plants, which he brought to his mother Leah. Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.”
First bit of information that is needed here is that mandrakes were thought to increase fertility. So, even now, this was about who had the most children as, surely, that showed who was the favored wife. We also see that Leah felt herself the original wife (and she was because of Laban’s trickery) and felt that Rachel, whom Jacob loved and worked seven years to obtain, had stolen Jacob from her.
Genesis 30:15 But she said to her, “Wasn’t it enough that you took away my husband? Will you take my son’s mandrakes too?” “Very well,” Rachel said, “he can sleep with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.”
Additionally, we see that Rachel has the power in this relationship because she seems to have some say in who Jacob sleeps with when. Furthermore, we see that Leah and Rachel are still playing this “game” of who has more status, sway, and power within the home. My question is: to what end?
Genesis 30:16 So when Jacob came in from the fields that evening, Leah went out to meet him. “You must sleep with me,” she said. “I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night.
Precious Savior, Forgive me when I forget that my purpose on this earth is to bring You praise and glory, to shine Your light. When I take my eyes off of You, I lose the thread of purpose in my life, just like Leah and Rachel. Help me to keep my eyes on You. Always. Amen.
Genesis 30:17-18 God listened to Leah, and she became pregnant and bore Jacob a fifth son. Then Leah said, “God has rewarded me for giving my servant to my husband.” So she named him Issachar.
Have a blessed day.