God’s Favor

Genesis 29:30-32

And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.

After Isaac blessed Jacob, Jacob departed to Padanaram to get himself a wife from the daughters of Laban, his mother’s brother. After he reached Padanaram, he met Rachel by the well. Jacob worked for Laban for seven solid years in order to get Rachel as his wife. Genesis 29:20 says “And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her”. Jacob loved Rachel so greatly that the seven years seemed like a few days in hope of receiving her as his bride. Instead he received Leah, Laban’s older daughter as a bride. Genesis 29:17 says “Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.” Jacob served for another seven years to get Rachel as his bride. Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah.

When the Lord God saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb but Rachel was barren. Rachel was well favored by everyone while Leah was not. But she found God’s favor which is ultimate. Leah yearned for her husband’s love. She must have battled with feelings of being rejected and hated but God was watching all of this. Our God is a righteous God and hates injustice. He favored Leah who was ill-favored by people around her especially her own husband. He blessed her with children by opening her womb. Her first son is Reuben and she was hoping to be loved by her husband after his birth.

Leah was blessed with six sons Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun and a daughter Dinah. We will look into Dinah’s life tomorrow. Leah bare six sons and these were to form the six important tribes of Israel. One noteworthy fact is that Leah gave birth to Judah from whom Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World was born. God heard the cry of Leah’s heart and blessed her abundantly. Jesus was called the Lion of Judah as it says in Revelation 5:5 “And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” This Lion of Judah will wage a war on our behalf against the ruler of the world, Satan. The end result of this war is as we all very well know, VICTORY!

If today you feel rejected, torn, separated or oppressed, do not lose heart; the Lord your God is on your side and He will not let this injustice continue. You will find God’s favor! You will be mightily blessed like Leah was. Do not worry and lose hope. As it is said in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” May the Heavenly Father surround you and lift you up like He lifted up Leah!