Have you ever felt outside the loop? Like you were missing something? In Genesis 29 we meet two young sisters, Leah and Rachel. It is very likely that you know about the romance and adventures of Rachel and her husband Jacob. You may even know about the heartbreaking moments for Leah when her dad’s scheme (sneaking her into a marriage when Jacob thought he was marrying her sister) is figured out by Jacob on their first day of married life.
Leah is described as having “weak eyes” in Genesis 29:17. In fact, her name actually means “weary” This girl carried some heavy burdens. In the same verse her sister, Rachel, is described as a woman “beautiful in form and appearance.” Anybody else feel the tension? From the text it is very apparent that Leah lived in her shepherdess’ sisters shadow. Then the unimaginable happens, her sister marries her husband one week after Leah’s wedding day, and Jacob’s behavior reflects a deep love for Rachel. A deep love that Leah desired, but would never receive from Jacob.
You may be wondering, where was God in all this? What was His plan, and why did Leah have to go through all this pain? God did have a plan and He was very aware of Leah’s pain of being “unloved” by her husband. God (Yahweh – the covenant keeping God) met her in her weariness, and chose Leah for a very important purpose, even though she still had Jacob’s affection as the goal of her life. You can see her desire to be noticed by Jacob in her response to the birth of their first three sons: Simeon, Reuben, and Levi. When she had Simeon she declared, “Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” (29:32). When Reuben was born we see the desperate cry of her heart that gives us a clue that she was still unloved, “Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” When Levi arrives you can still see the longing of her heart for a deep relationship with Jacob, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” After the birth of Judah we see a change of perspective in Leah’s words, she proclaimed, “This time I will praise the Lord.” (35)
When Judah was born Leah had figured out something. She realized that only God could fill the void that no one else could. In her journey she was blessed by God in a very unique way. When she gave birth to Judah she had no idea that he would be the son of Jacob that would be the next step in the genealogical journey that would lead to the birth of Jesus, the word became flesh. Appropriately, Jesus would say to the “weary” people He loved on his journey to the cross.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29
Pastor Chuck