Gen 30:14 In the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and found mandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.”
Rachel’s sons through Bilhah her maid did not satisfy, she still longed for sons from her own womb. She explored all means for this reality perhaps now seeking God but not waiting. In this vs Leah’s son, about 5 years old brought his mom mandrakes (flower like), a good gesture of love, but why would Rachel ask for some of these mandrakes? It appears that mandrakes was believed to be a plant/herb that assisted with fertility believed by Leah and Rachel. The presence of mandrakes in Leah’s possession spelled great chances of Leah conceiving again before Rachel. Rachel desired and asked for some, she thought this was her last chance to get pregnant.
Desperation can be good and deadly at times. I have seen couples desperate go at length to do anything to have children. Others do whatever they have to do to make a deal with God. If God is sovereign, there is nothing anyone can do to override His plans, Pro 19:21 “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand” Mandrakes maybe a means but never should our confidence be in the means but the source as Jacob told his wife. Despite the foolishness observed here, God was still faithful to raise 12 tribes out of this mess.