Genesis 30:1-13

Rachel envied her sister.

Rachel’s impatience

I. IT WAS UNGODLY.

1. She was the victim of unholy passions. Envy and jealousy.

2. She took a despairing view of life.

3. She failed rightly to recognize the true Author of all good things.

II. IT LED TO THE ADOPTION OF WRONG EXPEDIENTS. Showing impatient haste of unbelief, and a want of confidence in God.

III. IT HAD AN INFLUENCE FOR EVIL.

1. Upon her own character. Boasting (Genesis 30:6; Genesis 30:8).

2. Upon her sister (Genesis 30:9). (T. H. Leale.)

Domestic irritations

I. JACOB TOOK UPON HIMSELF DOMESTIC TROUBLES,

II. IT REQUIRES SOMETHING ELSE THAN THE ATTAINMENT OF OUR WISHES TO BRING HAPPINESS.

III. BLESSINGS DO NOT ALWAYS COME AS WE EXPECT.

IV. HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF.

V. THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE GRADUALLY FULFILLED.

VI. THE UNDESERVING ARE BLESSED BY GOD.

VII. HAVE PATIENCE WITH IRRITATING ASSOCIATES. (D. G. Watt, M. A.)

Envy

The infatuated Caligula slew his brother because he was a beautiful young man. Mutius, a citizen of Rome, was noted to be of such an envious and malevolent disposition, that Publius, one day, observing him to be very sad, said: “Either some great evil has happened to Mutius, or some great good to another.” “Dionysius the tyrant,” says Plutarch, “out of envy, punished Philoxenius the musician, because he could sing, and Plato, the philosopher, because he could dispute, better than himself.” Cambyses killed his brother Smerdis, because he could draw a stronger bow than himself or any of his party.