What happensPermalink
Jacob has children by Rachel’s servant Bilhah, Leah’s servant Zilpah, Leah (again), and finally Rachel herself. Jacob makes a deal with Laban for his wages as he plans to go home to Canaan, and he becomes extremely wealthy.
Why it mattersPermalink
Rachel’s and Leah’s competition results in Jacob having many sons. They will all be heads of tribes, but Rachel’s firstborn, Joseph, will be Jacob’s favorite, eventually resulting in the saving of Jacob’s family during a famine. God is always working to accomplish His purposes.
Key versePermalink
As soon as Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own home and country.”