Genesis 30:3 New International Version (NIV)
3 Then she said, “Here is Bilhah, my servant. Sleep with her so that she can bear children for me and I too can build a family through her.”
Each of the great patriarchs from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob had wives who had difficulty conceiving children. Each man reacted to his wife’s situation in different ways. Two reacted before considering how they were reacting and before really going to God to weigh out the consequences. Abraham had relations with Sarah’s servant in order to have his own child. The consequence of this was bitterness and jealousy that is still part of his family to this day. Jacob followed his grandfather’s example and had children by his wives and his wive’s servants which lead to sad and bitter consequences. On the other hand, there was one patriarch who went to God in prayer and weighed out the consequences. Isaac prayed to God when his wife was barren. God eventually answered his prayers and Rebekah had twin sons. Do not be in a hurry and watch how you react to situations in your life. Take time to pray and weigh out the consequences. Wait on God. In the long run, doing things God’s way is the best way.
