CRITICAL NOTES.—
Genesis 30:23. My reproach.] That is, the reproach of my barrenness. (See Luke 1:25; 1 Samuel 1:6; Isaiah 4:1, Isaiah 4:1.)—
Genesis 30:24. Joseph.] “Adding,” or, “he will add.” It may also be rendered in the form of a prayer, “May the Lord add another.” Thus it would be a prophetic declaration of the event which was accomplished in the birth of Benjamin.—
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 30:22-24
GOD’S FAVOUR TOWARDS RACHEL
I. It was long delayed. The blessing which Rachel had long desired was, at length, granted. She had not lost the love of God—for that lives on—she had only been denied His favour for a time. God grants His favours as it pleases Him, and yet always with a view to the blessed designs of our discipline. They are bestowed at the best time for us. So it was with Rachel. For upwards of fourteen years of her married life she had been barren. God, at length, “remembered Rachel,” as if she had been forgotten before; for so we may speak of God’s delayed blessings from our human point of view. When the good we seek comes not, we begin to think that we are forgotten; that prayers are of no use when they are not immediately answered. But if we are faithful we shall be blessed according to the time wherein we have been afflicted.
II. It was granted to her after some solemn lessons had been learned. During the long delay Rachel had time to learn some solemn lessons, and which often have to be learned only through painful discipline.
1. The lesson of dependence. She had to be taught that whatever human means are used to gain our ends, all ultimate success depends upon the will of God. All gifts come from His hand. 2 The lesson of patience. She had to wait long for this blessing; and when it was granted, she would see how good it is to be patient. 3 The lesson of faith and hope. She had now learned not to despair because God did not at once grant her desires. It was good to believe and hope. If we abide faithful our confident trust in God will be justified in the end.
III. It awakened gratitude. This spirit showed itself. 1 In a grateful recognition of God’s dealings. She said, “God hath taken away my reproach” (Genesis 30:23). The blessing itself was evident; but she recognised the divine source from whence it came. She did not trace the gift to some irresponsible powers of nature, but to the distinct favour of a personal God. 2 In the heartfelt acknowledgment of God. She called the name of her son, Joseph, saying “The Lord shall add to me another son.” She had previously used the name Elohim, which means the invisible Eternal (Genesis 30:6); now she uses the name Jehovah, signifying the manifest self-existant-God as known in His covenant relation. This was an important advance in spiritual knowledge and feeling. The distant God becomes near. The God of nature becomes the God of providence and grace. This is similar to the experience of Job, (Job 42:5-6). Rachel has now hope for the future, for she feels that she has an interest in the covenant of promise. What a blessed contrast to her former state of despair! (Genesis 30:1).
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Genesis 30:22. She began to think that God had forgotten her, because her prayer was not answered. This is a common fault. David bewails it himself. (Psalms 77) So the church of old. (Psalms 63:1-5.)—(Trapp.)
Genesis 30:23-24. A sweet and sure way of argumentation. God, that hath thus and thus done me good, will not be wanting to me in anything that may conduce to mine eternal comfort; but “will perfect that which concerneth me.” (Psalms 138:8.)—(Trapp.)