GENESIS 30
14 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 that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” Rachel said, “Then he may lie with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” 16 When Jacob came from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come in to me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he lay with her that night. 17 And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. 18 Leah said, “God has given me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband.” So she called his name Issachar. 19 And Leah conceived again, and she bore Jacob a sixth son. 20 Then Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she called his name Zebulun. 21 Afterward she bore a daughter and called her name Dinah.22 Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. 23 She conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach.” 24 And she called his name Joseph, saying, “May the Lord add to me another son!” – Genesis 30:14-24
GENESIS 30 DESIRES FOR MORE CHILDREN
In this account, Reuben, the eldest son of Jacob found mandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. The mandrake is a Mediterranean plant with blue flowers in the winter and yellow, plum-like fruit in the summer. According to a commentary, it has been desired in many cultures because of a belief that it is an aphrodisiac and promotes fertility. These qualities, coupled with the fact it was only rarely found in Paddan-aram where they lived (Gen. 28:5), explains why both Leah and Rachel desired the plant. Rachel herself has not borne any children, Leah has become temporarily infertile (29:31–30:13), and both are seeking a cure in the mandrake.
The two wives of Jacob desired more children and we hear their desperation to bear their husband more offspring. It is interesting when we ourselves desire more fruit either in our spiritual walk and sometimes we fall into the trap of finding it somewhere else rather than relying and trusting that everything in its own time is given by our Creator.
REFLECTION
- How can desires lead to sin as shown in this account?
