1. The Lord saw that Leah was not loved (29:31-35)

God saw that Leah was not loved, so he blessed her to bear four sons. Each time she bore a son, she was seeking her husband's love. But when her fourth son was born, she accepted God's love. She named her son "Judah" which means "praise," and she praised God. The Lord began establishing the tribes of Israel in this way.

2. Leah and Rachel compete (30:1-24)

The household of Jacob was lively. Rachel used her maidservant to bear two sons, then Leah did the same to bear two more. Leah bargained with Rachel and had another son, and then a sixth son and a daughter. It seemed like a competition. But God was mindful of Rachel. He blessed her with a son, Joseph. She confessed, "God has taken away my disgrace." It seemed messy, but God revealed himself as the one who takes away our disgrace and deserves all of our praise.