The sibling rivalry we see between Leah and Rachel leads to the prostitution of their maids and of Jacob, who is caught in the middle—even realizing that he cannot provide what only God can. With each new child born, the siblings praise God and claim He is rewarding them for their prostitution. The text does not say God actually rewarded them. Leah and Rachel were convinced that they were doing what was right and being rewarded with children. Notice what God is actually doing. First, He is giving heed, or remembering, Leah and Rachel despite their sin. Instead of rewarding the sisters, God is simply being good to them because He remembers His people. Second, God is working together even their sin to fulfill His own promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—that their descendants would be innumerable and a blessing to the nations.

God is good to sinners. He is working even our sin together for good.

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