Reading for March 11th

Read Genesis 29.31-30.24 The birth of Jacob's eleven sons and one daughter.
The sons born to Jacob will become the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel.
The birth of the twelfth and last son, Benjamin, is described in ch. 35.
The relative status of the mother of each of the sons reflected the relative status
of the corresponding tribe at some point in Israel's history.
For example, the Joseph tribe was once one of the most powerful tribes,
a status reflected by his mother, the most favored wife (vv. 22-24; 29.30).
Leah's children and the children of the maid would have been less favored or influential.
Each child's name has some meaning attached to it.
In verses 30-14-16 as the favored wife, Rachel has the first rights of sleeping with Jacob.
However, she barters that right away to Leah for a night in exchange for some mandrakes.
Mandrakes are herbs thought to aid in fertility.
The childless Rachel is apparently anxious to do what she can to have children with Jacob.
Rachel eventually succeeds with God's help (30.22-24).
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