Leah is often only mentioned in passing with regard to Rachel and Jacob. She usually comes up as the antagonist in Rachel’s love story, a supporting actress to the main character, or as the “ugly” sister. Is that all there really is to Leah?
The Bible does not mention Leah’s knowledge of her father Laban’s deceit to trick Jacob on his wedding night. If this was the case, however, then it may have been because generally the moral tone of their home was low, and Leah may have been a child of the environment¹. Laban’s deceit and attempt to short-change Jacob’s share of his flock may give us a glimpse into the kind of household Leah was raised in, if this view holds true.
Even though he had married both sisters, Jacob preferred Rachel and did not love Leah. Genesis 29:31 says, “When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.” God knew Leah was unloved, and I believe He went out of His way to assure her of His love-His unconditional love which covered all her flaws. God gave Leah the first-born son of Jacob, which was a significant honor for a wife in those days².
As I read through Leah’s story, I was struck by her acknowledgement of God for her children (Gen 29:31–35), even as she struggled with securing Jacob’s love and attention:
- Reuben, for she said, “It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.”
- “Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too.” So she named him Simeon.
- “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi.
- “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah.
- “God has rewarded me for giving my servant to my husband.” So she named him Issachar. (30:18)
- “God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun. (30:19)
Leah’s utterances show a woman who was truly grateful to God for honoring her in her household and blessing her with children (which was a big deal then). She must have had genuine faith and a real relationship with God.
Altogether, Leah had 6 sons and a daughter, Dinah (30:21). Her 6 sons became 6 of the 12 tribes of Israel. Her fourth son, Judah, was an ancestor of King David and eventually of our savior Jesus Christ. How wonderful! God not only looked with compassion at her unloved state, but also granted her the opportunity to be a part of our Savior’s genealogy (Matt 1:1–17).
Leah’s story shows a woman who demonstrated a quiet and loyal faithfulness to God and her family². She faced challenges and scorn from Rachel¹ for being “a husband snatcher” but God was with her. While the world disregarded her for her lack of outer beauty, God looked at the beauty of her heart-her faith in Him. Leah was adorned with a beautiful faith that never fades but blooms eternally¹. Like Leah, we may not exhibit the world’s definition of beauty in all its various forms. Yet, her story calls us to walk in the beauty of our faith through a surrendered life to Christ Jesus our Lord.
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. (1 Cor 1:26–29)
References
- Zondervan. (1988). All The Women of The Bible-Leah. Bible Gateway. Retrieved November 7, 2020, from https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-women-bible/Leah
- Valdez, K. W. (2018, July 3). Heroic Women Of The Bible: Leah — Finding True Love In God. Osprey Observer. Retrieved November 7, 2020, from https://www.ospreyobserver.com/2018/07/heroic-women-of-the-bible-leah-finding-true-love-in-god/
