So many times I've read this story in the Bible but no time previously has it stuck with me so fiercely. I will make a confession to you - I have found it difficult in the past to related to stories in the Bible. Differences in culture, differences in customs, differences in political ideals. But as I'm praying for more wisdom and insight into GOD's word, I'm seeing so much more than I ever saw before and it's all becoming so much more relevant and personal.
Have you ever felt like a shadow on a wall? Like the light is cast on someone else & the darkness always favors you? Have you ever felt second-best; always coming up behind someone else? Have you ever felt like maybe love is meant for everyone else & that your fate is to grow accustomed and content with being alone?
I can imagine that Leah must have felt most of those things her whole life. Her younger sister - better looking. Her younger sister - first to receive a proposal. Her younger sister - scores a man so deeply infatuated & in love with her that he works for SEVEN YEARS for her hand in marriage. As if that wasn't enough to make you feel second-rate, when it was time to hand over the "prized pony" to her suitor....Daddy dearest hands over her (Leah), instead, because "it's tradition that you marry the first born girl first." It wasn't love that compelled Jacob to marry Leah. It was out of "obligation" & "if you don't you can't have what you really want".
The day every girl hopes, wishes & plans for - her wedding day - & she still comes up second best.
Oh how I've felt like a Leah so many times in my life. If the story ended there, I would get up right off this couch and head for the "double double, marshmallow, nutter-butter, caramel sauce, whipped topping, mint choco-cookie cream" ice cream in my freezer, turn on the "Notebook" and call it a night.
But GOD's love never leaves a broken heart in shambles. There was one thing - the most important thing - the greatest gift a woman could ever bestow in that day & age....and where Leah so many times before came in second place....GOD handed her the gold metal & pinned that puppy right on her blazer. "When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, HE opened her womb". There was nothing of a greater honor in their time but to give birth to children - especially males. She bore 4 sons before Rachel's womb was ever opened.
Leah may never have won the affections of her husband. But she won the attention, heart & mercy of her FATHER.
If you've ever felt overlooked....
If you've ever felt "second-best"....
If you've ever felt unseen, unheard, unknown or unwanted....
know, daughter, that you've won the heart, attention and never-ceasing affection of GOD & that HIS arms are out-stretched, prepared to give you the greatest gifts anyone could ever bestow.
You are the apple of HIS eye.
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