We all are familiar with Jacob and
Rachel story. I always felt complex with
how Rachel’s father did him. Yet it
always showed me the lengths a man would take for a woman he truly desires.
Nevertheless, it wasn’t until recently another element of the story was
highlighted to my heart. That is Leah.
We tend not to think much on the
surface with Leah. We are told how she
was not highly desirable as her sister Rachel, and how Jacob wasn’t really
doing labor to be with her. It’s
mentioned how Rachel became jealous of her when she was able to do something
she couldn’t, which was produce children. However, Leah’s story thickens as you
dive deeper into the contents of the story.
Leah’s friends were rejection,
jealousy, and mockery. Imagine sleeping
with a man you know doesn’t really love you.
Imagine your own sister despising you for something that is not your
fault. Imagine having to live with being told you are less than with your
looks. Leah even started off giving her
sons names based on her circumstances. Yet
something happened to Leah along with way.
She got to know El Roi, the God who sees. Leah realized that even though her life
journey didn’t seem fair, God was yet there with her. She went from focusing on her circumstances
to a I will praise the Lord attitude.
This was even shown with the name of one of her sons Judah, which means
praise.
Out of son Judah came the birth
of King David who linkage will be to Jesus, the Messiah. In addition, let’s take a moment to think
about the linkage. Christ too
experienced rejection, mockery, and not even being recognizable on the
cross. Think about that, Christ can
relate to Leah’s circumstances. In her choice to praise the Lord, she became
linked to our Messiah. What beauty came
out of her ashes!!
Leah story has become my inspiration. We can decide to look beyond our
circumstances and focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith! For He can truly do above we can even ask or
think! Just look at what He did for
Leah.
Be encouraged!
