“Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.”
Genesis 29:32-NIV
Happy new week family. I hope you are keeping well and still believe that we are going to finish strong this 2024! We are almost through with the Leah series then we will study another bible character. Let’s go!
There is something very touching about Leah’s life. She strikes as a woman of sorrow. A woman who lost herself in the shadows of rejection and trying to fit in. I see low-self esteem. Isn’t it amazing? That love gives us confidence and boldness? It boosts our self esteem to know that we are loved and accepted. There’s a way you’ll walk, talk, pose that shows positiveness. At this point God has seen what is happening in Jacob’s household. God surely knows what’s happening in every house hold. Yes, the abusive uncle? The absent mother? The dramatic sibling 😂 ? That there was no food yesterday. The wild parties that we sometimes have in families. The unfairness? The gossip? Even the things that happen behind our walls are seen . Let’s always remember that. God who gave us eyes to see , can also see.
Jacob, even though he did not love Leah, still was willing to have sex with her. I mean!!! I thought he’d get busy with Rachel only. This demonstrates a principle that is still true, that a man will often be willing to have sex completely apart from love. We live in a generation that confuses sex for love or vice versa. This is actually one of the biggest problems common to everyone in every nation because lust is not tribalistic or racist. Sex is not proof of love. Most times it is proof of lust and lust is a spirit that takes and keeps taking.
Leah was not the first, nor the last, to live under this problem of male nature. This is not to slander men or incite feminism. Even the males know of this and many of them actually acknowledge that some of the ladies they got together with, it had nothing to do with love. Only a foolish woman regards the willingness to have sex as proof of love. So Jacob rightfully so, has sex with his wife and she gets pregnant. Sometimes people know that the person does not love them but they give their bodies anyways. Rejection can make people so vulnerable to even accept the unacceptable because they really wish to fill a gap. The gap that only love can fill.
Leah must’ve been excited to have a son moreover, a son for Jacob. I mean this is the man who spins her world around. Surely she’d be ecstatic about sharing this beautiful bond with him. She names the boy Rueben and she says something interesting , “Surely my husband will love me now.” I gave him something surely he will love me. I gave her money, surely she will marry me. I gave him my body surely I’m the only woman in his life. I check up on them more than anyone, they will choose me. I have sacrificed so much for them, they will surely acknowledge me. If God gave us Christ and people still reject Him , how are we so sure that giving or gifting something to someone automatically makes us their priority? You can give and give and never get anything back.
Leah hoped the new baby would cause him to love her but Jacob did not see things the way she did. His love could not be bought even by a son. Leah is expressing her unfulfilled desire of gaining her husband’s affection through childbearing. Another lesson, having children for him will not trap him to marry or love you. Buying her wigs and paying her fees will not emotionally trap her into saying yes l do! People always do what they want to do because they have a will. People choose who they want to choose . Let them. It’s sad isn’t it? You could give your all and get nothing. God gave Leah a son for her own happiness but she missed her moment of gratitude by fixing her eyes on Jacob.
If you’re dealing with rejection I want you to know, no matter how much you try to make them love you, they won’t because love is not by force. Accept that it is not you that they have chosen. Am l saying hate them? No. But do not hate yourself so much that you squeeze yourself in places and rooms that cringe at your presence. I will tell you who chooses you all day everyday though,,,
His name is Jesus Christ.💗
