Gen 30:15 But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” Rachel said, “Then he may lie with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.”
The struggle in this chapter is two sisters desperate to have what each other had. Leah hated craved for love and attention, Rachel loved craved for children.
Rachel in selfish ways kept Jacob away from Leah perhaps fearing affection and conception. Rachel could not bear the want of these pretty flowers, but would purchase them at any rate. Leah takes this advantage (as Jacob had of Esau’s coveting his red pottage) to obtain that which was justly due to her, but to which Rachel would not otherwise have consented. This is the art of manipulation, exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one’s own advantage by depriving another of a right.
The lesson here is to be aware of selfishness rising up in situations like these. We ought not to misuse one another, employing manipulative tactic and schemes to benefit ourselves. We should not withhold good from those who would benefit if its within our ability to do so. All the blessings God bring in our lives is to our benefit and others He brings our way.