A True Love Story [Genesis 29]

³¹Now the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. ³²Leah conceived and bore a son and named him Reuben, for she said, "Because the LORD has seen my affliction; surely now my husband will love me." ³³Then she conceived again and bore a son and said, "Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also." So she named him Simeon. ³⁴She conceived again and bore a son and said, "Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore he was named Levi. ³⁵And she conceived again and bore a son and said, "This time I will praise the LORD." Therefore she named him Judah. Then she stopped bearing.

"What a love story - Jacob is willing to work for seven years to have Rachel for his wife.  "So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her." (v. 20) But then Leah was plopped down into the middle of this story.  She had watched this man's ardent love for his sister for seven years.  Like most sisters, she propably was secretly attracted to Jacob also, hoping someone would love her in the same way.  When her father sent her to the marriage bed instead of Rachel, offering them both to Jacob; perhaps Leah was hopeful that Jacob would love her in the same way.  Her hopes were dashed, until she discovered that she was pregnant.  When she birthed a son she thought God had answered her deepest prayer, that she would now be loved by her husband. "She said, 'Because the LORD has seen my affliction; surely now my husband will love me.'"  After the third son, she was sure her husband would now be attracted to her.  Something changed for Leah after the birth of her fourth son. "And she conceived again and bore a son and said, 'This time I will praise the LORD.'"   She finally found what her heart longed for. She could be content with God being who she needed in her situation.

We praise You, Lord, for ministering to Leah's heart Your great love for her.  You knew what she needed most and You know what we need most.  Thank You for meeting us in our deepest need with Your great love and compassion.