John Calvin Commentary Genesis 30:1

"And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and she said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die." — Genesis 30:1 (ASV)

And when Rachel saw. Here Moses begins to relate that Jacob was distracted with family conflicts. But although the Lord was punishing him, because he had been guilty of a serious sin in marrying two wives, and especially sisters, yet the chastisement was fatherly; and God Himself, seeing that He is accustomed to mercifully pardon His own people, restrained His hand to some degree.

And so it happened that Jacob did not immediately repent, but added new offenses to the previous ones. But first, we must speak of Rachel. Because she rejoiced to see her sister subjected to contempt and grief, the Lord represses this sinful joy by giving His blessing to Leah, to make their conditions equal.

She hears the grateful acknowledgment of her sister and learns from the names given to the four sons that God had pitied and had sustained by His favor her, who had been unjustly despised by man. Nevertheless, envy inflames her and prevents any of the dignity fitting for a wife from appearing in her.

We see what ambition can do. For Rachel, in seeking preeminence, does not spare even her own sister; and scarcely refrains from venting her anger against God for having honored that sister with the gift of fruitfulness. Her jealousy did not arise from any injuries she had received, but because she could not bear to have a partner and an equal, though she herself was really the younger. What would she have done if she had been provoked, given that she envies her sister who was contented with her lot?

Now Moses, by showing this evil in Rachel, intends to teach us that it is inherent in all, so that each of us, tearing it up by the roots, may diligently purify ourselves from it. To be cured of envy, we must put away pride and self-love, as Paul prescribes this single remedy against contentions: Let nothing be done through vainglory (Philippians 2:3).