The sin of Jacob, and the train of events to which it led, had not failed to exert an influence for evil--an influence that revealed its bitter fruit in the character and life of his sons. As these sons arrived at manhood they developed serious faults. The results of polygamy were manifest in the household. This terrible evil tends to dry up the very springs of love, and its influence weakens the most sacred ties. The jealousy of the several mothers had 209 embittered the family relation, the children had grown up contentious and impatient of control, and the father's life was darkened with anxiety and grief.

Jakobs synd og den række begivenheder, den førte med sig, havde ikke undgået at øve en ond indflydelse, hvis bitre frugter kom til syne i hans sønners liv. Efterhånden som disse sønner voksede op, lagde de alvorlige fejl for dagen. Flerkoneriets følger var mærkbare i familien. Dette frygtelige onde bidrager til at udtørre selve kærlighedens kildespring, og dets indflydelse svækker de helligste bånd. De forskellige mødres misundelse havde forbitret familielivet, børnene var stridbare og utålmodige i opvæksten, og faderens liv formørkedes af ængstelse og sorg.