July 27, 2026
Genesis 28:1-29:35; Matthew 9:18-38; Psalm 11:1-7; Proverbs 3:11-12
“Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, ‘I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.'” (Genesis 29:15-17)
“So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, ‘Give me my wife, for the days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her.’ And Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast. Now it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. And Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a maid. So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, ‘What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?” (29:20-25)
Well now, it seems that Jacob, the deceiver, has run into the Mac daddy of deceivers, his uncle Laban. The boy worked seven years for a woman and woke up in the morning to a most unpleasant surprise. And can you imagine how Rachel felt toward her dad and sister. My goodness what a tangled web we weave. Laban tells him to settle down, that if he’ll just give Leah a little time and affection for a week that he will give him Rachel IF he’ll work another seven years. Trapped by this old dude!
“Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also. And Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as a maid. Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years. When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.” (29:28-31)
Poor Leah, she embodies the troubles of so many. She was raised in the shadow of a beautiful sister and her father apparently had no confidence in her ability to attract a man. It would have been a disgrace for her younger sister to marry first so her father, eager to get her married, has to deceive her husband. I guess as a courtesy to a new bride the room is kept dark so when her husband rolls over at first light and sees Leah, well, we can only imagine the disappointment on his face. I wonder if he called out Rachel’s name through the night?
Here we have a woman used by her father and given to a man that does not love her and does not even pretend to. God opens her womb and she bares Jacob a son. She says to herself that since God has seen her dilemma and given her a son surely now her husband will love her. Nope. So again, Leah bears another son, and says that God has seen that she is unloved. She’s feeling it folks, she knows that she’s a third wheel but she hopes this will be the son that changes his heart. Nope. On son three Leah says this is the one that is going to bring us together. Nope. Now on her fourth son, Leah has a revelation. She has focused all of this time on what she was lacking in her marriage, namely her husband’s love. She realizes she can not change him, but she can change herself. She shifts her eyes from Jacob to God and out of gratitude for what she does have, names this fourth son Judah and offers praise to her God. It is from the tribe of Judah that Jesus, the ferocious Lion arises. It no longer mattered that she was considered unattractive, unloved, unwanted and despised, she found her place and calling in her Savior. As it should be with us all. Breakthrough comes through the birth of Judah, praise!
PRAYER:
Lord, the enemy of my soul has tried to hinder me all throughout life by attacking my esteem and worth. I see today that You love me like You love Leah. Even though I have been used, abused and falsely accused, You see the inner workings of my heart and I am perfect in Your sight. Thank You for Your love. Help me to keep my eyes focused on You and Your great plan and not on the short term things of this world. I give You all of the honor and praise You are due. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
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