For the third generation in a row, we encounter the theme of barrenness as God forms the nation He had promised Abraham. And once again, as Abraham and Sarah had done, we see people trying to take matters into their own hands. Echoing Sarah’s demand for Abraham to have children with her maid, Hagar, Rachel demanded that Jacob have children with her maid, Bilhah. Abraham’s grandson had two sons with Bilhah. Then when Leah stopped having children, she gave Jacob her maid, Zilpah, who also bore sons for him.

God used these sinful choices for His good, but they were not without consequences. Rivalry and favoritism would not be confined to Jacob and his four wives. It would spill over onto their children, as with Joseph.

Learning from our sins is important; it is one way we grow in holiness. But it is also important that we learn from the sins of others. Surely Jacob knew the stories of his grandfather. But tragically, Jacob chose to repeat their mistakes.

• What lessons have you learned from your failures and how can you encourage others by sharing them?