Rachel Vs. Leah

This birth narrative recounts how the sons of Jacob were born, and each announcement of a name is accompanied by a comment and an explanation of the meaning of that name. Each name expresses the hopes, desires, assumptions of Rachel and Leah. As we work our way through we get a lot of insight into the hearts of these two women and their painful circumstances. It's against this dark background of pain and hurt and envy and longing that we see the grace of God shine brightly.