Genesis — Chapter 30

AND GOD REMEMBERED RACHEL: AND HE HEARD HER, AND OPENED HER WOMB. — After years of barrenness and prayer, God \"remembered\" Rachel and gave her Joseph. \"Remembered\" = exercised special providential care. Rachel's prayer and humiliation before God contrasts with her earlier envy and impatience (Gen. 30:1: \"Give me children, or I shall die\"). God rewards patient, humble prayer. The birth of Joseph begins the great providential drama of Gen. 37-50 — the descent into Egypt and the salvation of Israel.