Genesis 30

The first thing I realized is the parallel to the story of Abraham and Sarah. Sarah was unable to bear children, so she gave her maidservant to Abraham. Now, Rachel couldn't bear children, so she gave her maidservant, Bilhah, to Jacob. AND, Leah was unable to bear anymore children, so she gave Jacob her maidservant, Zilpah, to Jacob. To unravel all of this, Leah has 6 sons, 1 daughter, Bilhah has 2 sons, Zilpah has 2 sons, and Rachel has 1 son (Joseph)-all fathered by Jacob.

I read a little deeper and it says that the above (barrenness and multiple wives) was part of an ancient Near Eastern culture- children born to the substitute, or second, wife were regarded as belonging to the main, or first, wife, so that continuity of the family line was preserved.

It is only at the point when Rachel no longer resented her sister and God "took away her reproach" that was she able to bear a child. I think it is also interesting that Laban ended up getting the spotted/speckled sheep out of his deal with Jacob. This could be because of his earlier deceit (giving Leah to Jacob instead of Rachel). We cannot expect to receive any blessings from God if we are hiding behind deceit, feelings of resentment, bitterness or anger. Until we give everything up to Him, it is only then that we can truly obtain the desires of our hearts.