In the book of Genesis, chapter 29 we are introduced to LEAH.
WHO WAS LEAH?
She was Laban's elder daughter.
She was Rachel's older sister.
She was Jacob's first wife.
Contributor: Natalee Bailey-Harrison
We are told in Genesis 29:17 that Leah was "tender-eyed" [KJV], "had weak eyes" [NIV], in contrast to her sister Rachel who was "beautiful and well favoured" [KJV], "had a beautiful figure and a lovely face" [NLT]. Some Bible Scholars suggest that something was wrong with Leah's eyes, which caused her not to be as attractive as her younger sister or other women. Scriptures give us an insight into the emphasis on physical appearance and the "conventional standard of beauty" in earlier years, and today we see that it continues to dominate our society.
Jacob was eager to marry Rachel. However, he was given the older sister, Leah, instead. Genesis 29:30 outlines that Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. This must have caused pain and emotional distress for Leah, and we cannot help empathizing with her, given the possible rejection she faced from her husband and others around her. After becoming Jacob's wife through deception on her Father's part, Leah longed for her husband to love her and give her the respect she deserved.
Leah seemingly lived a lonely and painful life, but God saw her pain and loneliness "when the Lord saw that Leah was loved less than Rachel, He made it possible for her to have children, but Rachel remained childless" [Genesis 29:31, GNT]. Leah's situation was changed when God intervened. She found favour in His sight and He consoled her by blessing her womb. The 'lonely, unloved' Leah bore Jacob seven [7] children, six [6] sons and one [1] daughter. She praised God in her afflictions and it was through her lineage, as the Mother of Judah, that the Messiah came.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Like Leah, we sometimes long to be loved deeply by our spouse, children, friends and family members. However, only God can truly love us consistently and unconditionally, no human has the capacity to love us like God. When Leah bore her first son, she was sure that the birth of a son would increase her husband's love for her. "Now therefore my husband will love me", she exclaimed in Genesis 29:32. She even continued conceiving with the hope that her husband would one day be "joined unto" her [Genesis 29:32].
How often do we go out of our way to exceed the expectations of our 'loved ones' with the hope that they will love or care for us more? At some point in time, we must come to the acknowledgement that ALL that we need is in Christ Jesus our Lord, not in our 'significant other' and that our capability to love can only be enabled by God's love. In verse 35 of Genesis 29, Leah finally realized that her value and her self-worth was not in her husband or the children she bore him. Instead of looking to her husband for approval after the birth of her third son, Leah looked to the Lord and declared resolutely "now I will praise the Lord".
Leah's story reminds us that even in the darkest moment, the omniscient God is working everything out for our good. The promise of Romans 8:28 gives such reassurance that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose". God turned Leah's dismal situation around for His glory and He can do the same for us. We can rejoice amidst uncertainties with the confidence that God controls the outcome, He can turn our "mourning into joyful dancing", and clothe us with joy" [Genesis 30:11].
THINKING IT OVER
Do you feel unloved by your spouse, children, friends, other family members?
Scripture Insight: "The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." [Jeremiah 31:3]
Are you struggling with your physical appearance, constantly comparing yourself to others?
Scripture Insight: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." [Psalm 139:14]
Do you feel lonely and dejected?
Scripture Insight: "If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me." [Psalm 139:8-10]
Are you working hard to gain the approval of others, instead of God's approval?
Scripture Insight: "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." [Galatians 1:10]
PRAYER FOCUS
Ask God to teach you to love yourself, just the way He made you because you were "fearfully and wonderfully made"
Ask God to help you to understand human's limited capacity to love unconditionally
Pray that God will help you to trust His plans for your life.
Thank God for his everlasting love and His promises that are true.
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