The story in the Bible of Jacob's relationship with his wives Leah and Rachel is perhaps one of the most intriguing stories to me. It starts with Jacob fleeing for his life. He tricked his father Isaac who was old, blind and about to die into blessing him with the birthright blessings of his brother Esau. (Genesis 28) He ran to the very place and family that God had years prior told Abraham to separate from. Yeah, Jacob was a slickster, but had no ideal he was about to run up into the king of slick, Uncle Laban.
As Jacob entered into Haran coming upon a well where shepherds’ were, he began to inquire about the town and his uncle. While they spoke, along came Rachel with her sheep. Not many days after being taken to his uncle's tent, Jacob became smitten and desired to marry Rachel. Having no dowry, he agrees to serve Laban seven years for her hand in marriage.
Seven years seemed like only a few days of toil for the love of his life. I can imagine the shock, anger, hurt and disappointment Jacob must have felt when the day after his betrothal he found out he had been tricked; and it was Leah instead of Rachel. Now God knew that Rachel was what Jacob wanted, but Leah was what he needed. Jacob complained to Laban and was given Rachel also as his wife. He agreed to toil another seven years for the thing he was already promised.
God knew that Leah, though not the most attractive had a right heart and motives. And like so many other women she desired to be valued, accepted and loved. But, Jacob despised the one God had selected for him and still wanted Rachel. Rachel, the gorgeous one that made his heart beat and his manhood throb.
Oh, but God had a plan for Leah the despised one. Leah was humble, submissive and unassuming. Hated by both her husband and her sister, God opened her womb. Rachel on the other hand was prideful, a liar, bitterness laid in her heart and though she was beautiful, she was also barren. God shut up her womb because she despised her sister.
The more Leah was mistreated the more fruitful she became, and birthed forth a nation of sons for Jacob. Rachel on the other hand was like a bitter herb and unfruitful. She had two sons, but being a woman of little strength, she died while giving birth.
Because Leah was fruitful, Jacob’s status at the gate of the city was elevated. Leah’s lineage produced a kingly heritage through which our Lord Jesus Christ would come. Let us recognize the hand of God in our lives. He will not always give you what you want, but He will give you what you need. He knows the end of a matter and what will bring you to a low estate as well as what will bring you to elevation. Selah.
As Jacob entered into Haran coming upon a well where shepherds’ were, he began to inquire about the town and his uncle. While they spoke, along came Rachel with her sheep. Not many days after being taken to his uncle's tent, Jacob became smitten and desired to marry Rachel. Having no dowry, he agrees to serve Laban seven years for her hand in marriage.
Seven years seemed like only a few days of toil for the love of his life. I can imagine the shock, anger, hurt and disappointment Jacob must have felt when the day after his betrothal he found out he had been tricked; and it was Leah instead of Rachel. Now God knew that Rachel was what Jacob wanted, but Leah was what he needed. Jacob complained to Laban and was given Rachel also as his wife. He agreed to toil another seven years for the thing he was already promised.
God knew that Leah, though not the most attractive had a right heart and motives. And like so many other women she desired to be valued, accepted and loved. But, Jacob despised the one God had selected for him and still wanted Rachel. Rachel, the gorgeous one that made his heart beat and his manhood throb.
Oh, but God had a plan for Leah the despised one. Leah was humble, submissive and unassuming. Hated by both her husband and her sister, God opened her womb. Rachel on the other hand was prideful, a liar, bitterness laid in her heart and though she was beautiful, she was also barren. God shut up her womb because she despised her sister.
The more Leah was mistreated the more fruitful she became, and birthed forth a nation of sons for Jacob. Rachel on the other hand was like a bitter herb and unfruitful. She had two sons, but being a woman of little strength, she died while giving birth.
Because Leah was fruitful, Jacob’s status at the gate of the city was elevated. Leah’s lineage produced a kingly heritage through which our Lord Jesus Christ would come. Let us recognize the hand of God in our lives. He will not always give you what you want, but He will give you what you need. He knows the end of a matter and what will bring you to a low estate as well as what will bring you to elevation. Selah.
*Selah means to pause, think about it and give God praise.
Hallelujah!
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