Is pregnancy contagious? I know. I know. But hear me out. We know a group of young men who grew up together. All were married recently. One of them found out they were expecting. Almost simultaneously the other three received the same news. All four of them are having boys for their first children. They envision their sons growing up as friends the same way they did. I hope it happens for them.
The narrator of Genesis gives us a glimpse at the family life of Jacob and his two wives. The rivalry between Leah and Rachel took another turn. Leah’s son Reuben found mandrakes which gave Leah the opportunity to bear more children. What are mandrakes? In ancient cultures, this plant was thought to have medicinal qualities to enhance fertility. Rachel hoped to have some so that she might have children. Instead, Leah had three more children with Jacob.
Where are mandrakes today? Shouldn’t someone market these? The narrator reminds us that God was working in Jacob’s family. We may affirm that plants do not control the birth of children. Leah’s names for her sons reveal her trust in God to provide children for her. God superintended the growth of this family. Leah and her servant Zilpah, together gave Jacob eight sons and a daughter. Rachel’s servant Bilhah had given two sons to Jacob. The family continued to grow. We share Rachel’s sorrow in longing to have children but not conceiving. Infertility creates so much pain for couples.
The birth of children offers the opportunity to rejoice with those who rejoice. At the same time, we weep with those who weep. This side of heaven we may not understand the reason for infertility, miscarriages, and childless families. Every child offers us the opportunity to see one born in God’s image. We may rejoice as we see the children grow up together. And I pray for couples who wait, that God may give them the desires of their hearts.
