Okay, here's the deal as it pertains to the last question on the previous blog - I was in Georgia a few months ago and Grace Imathiu, a wonderful woman from Africa who now resides in Wisconsin was sharing from Gensesis 29:31 ff. I've pondered her thoughts and this text ever since.
You may recall the story of Jacob and Leah. Jacob worked for Leah's father for 7 years for the hand of his daughter. BUT, it was not Leah he loved, it was Rachel. After some trickery by Laban, (her father) Leah became Jacob's wife with the agreement that Jacob would work another 7 years for the hand of Rachel. Meanwhile God saw that Leah was not loved by Jacob so he opened her womb and she became pregnant. Not once, but four times, all four times giving birth to sons (a blessing in that culture). The first son was named Reuben signifying the fact that "the Lord has seen my misery". The second son was named Simeon, meaning "one who hears" and signified that the Lord had heard her cry that she was not loved by Jacob. The 3rd son was named Levi which sounded like the word "attached" signifying Leah's desire for Jacob to become attached to her, to love her. Lastly, she gave birth to Judah, derived from a word signifying "praise" saying this time I will praise the Lord.
Aren't we a lot like Leah? Don't we yearn for fairness and justice, to be loved? Surely we can relate to Leah. After all, all she wanted was to be loved by her husband Jacob. But it was not until the 4th child was born, Judah, that her focus changed. Instead of being consumed by Jacob and her desire for him to love her, a transformation took place as she responded, "THIS TIME I WILL PRAISE THE LORD" (v.35) After all her struggles, her pain, her feelings of being unloved, she shifted her eyes to the Lord and praise came forth.
Could it be possible that we need to refocus? Any Leah's out there?
4 comments:
Why were Leah's other 2 sons not mentioned? There was Issachar which means man for hire or hireling and Zebulun which means elevated dwelling. The question said Leah's sons so I understand why Dinah the daughter was not included in the answer. I suppose it has something to do with the fact they were born after she decided to praise the Lord. Waiting to hear the answer.
If Jacob didn't love Leah, then why did he keep sleeping with her? Sounds a lot like our culture today....
Any Leah's? Of course, many of us want to be loved! How about, any Jacob's?-who should be loving their wives!
Wow! Some pretty good responses. Isn't it interesting that Jacob (whose name means deception) was deceived by Laban the father-in-law. Kind of serves him right, doesn't it. Also how interesting it is that even when we get focused and offer praise to the Lord, we still find ourselves not satisfied. Hence, more children by Leah (and her maidservants).
Regarding Jacob, yes, it's true, his heart was set on having Rachel as his wife for she is the one whom he initially fell in love with. And yes, he was tricked by Laban. But as responder #2 said, he didn't turn down the romantic interludes with Leah did he? Yes, it sounds a little like our culture but in reality it WAS their culture.
Are there Jacobs out there? You bet! Trick not lest you be tricked.
Nothing new under the sun is there.
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