Leah's Story - Overcoming Rejection & Insecurity

 

 

 

 

 

Leah's Story

In Genesis 29 we read about Leah - the oldest daughter of a deceptive man named Laban.   Remember Laban?  His sister, Rebekah, married Isaac and then gave birth to two sons - Jacob and Esau.  Rebekah helped Jacob steal Esau's blessing by deceiving Isaac.

This same Jacob shows up at Laban's door and falls for Rachel, the younger, more beautiful daughter.  He works seven years to earn her hand in marriage and (GASP!) Laban tricks him by substituting Leah for Rachel.  Lies?  Deception?  Not in this family tree, surely!

Leah's marriage arrangement takes a bad turn when the morning after their wedding night, Jacob cries, "Foul!".  A week later, after completing the bridal week festivities with Leah and agreeing to work for seven more years - he marries the woman of his dreams, Rachel.

Ah, finally, the happy ending.  Laban has successfully married off his two daughters, Jacob and Rachel end up in each others arms and they ride off into the sunset (after seven years)..............with Leah tagging along?!?!?

The Invisible Woman

There is another women in the Bible who found herself in a very similar situation.  Her name is Hagar and you can find her story in Genesis 16. 

Hagar was a servant to a woman named Sarai who wanted to have children badly, but wasn't having any success.  So, Sarai told her husband to sleep with Hagar and maybe they could start a family that way.  The plan seemingly works until Hagar begins to despise Sarai and Sarai begins to mistreat Hagar.  The result?  Hagar runs away..........used, unwanted, pushed aside, forgotten.

I imagine that is exactly how Leah felt, too.   In Genesis 29:31-34 we get a glimpse of what was on Leah's heart in her own words: "...my misery"; "...I am not loved"; "Now at last my husband will become attached to me."

Leah's heart ached for the one thing - to be loved by Jacob.  But Jacob couldn't even see her because he only had eyes for Rachel.

Not So Invisible

Both of these woman find themselves, through no choice of their own, in a no-win situation.  Leah is married to a man who loves another woman more.  Hagar is homeless, in the desert of all places.  And to top it all off, no one seems to care.  Where is the Action News at 7 reporter clamoring for an interview? or outrage from a civil rights group or assistance from a social services agency?  It seems like no one see the plight of these women?  But that's not then end of the story.

Genesis 29:31

When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless......she named him Reuben, for she said, "It is because the Lord has seen my misery."

She (Leah) conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too."

Genesis 16: 7-11

The angel of the Lord found Hagar.....The angel added, "I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count."  The angel of the Lord also said to her;  "You are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son.  You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery."

Genesis 16:13

She (Hagar) gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her. "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me." 


Can you relate to these women?  Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a situation that is completely out of your control?  You determine to be optimistic about the whole thing, and filled with hope you do what is expected of you and don't even complain.  But, when the dust settles and all is said and done, you find yourself feeling used, unwanted, pushed aside, and forgotten.

My dear, sister, God sees you!  Just as He saw Hagar and Leah in their despair.  He isn't distracted by all the drama, all the busyness or all the deceit.  He isn't wondering where you are.  He is El Roi - God Who Sees. 

Psalm 139:7-12

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

Jeremiah 23:23, 24

“Am I only a God nearby, ”
declares the Lord,
“and not a God far away?Who can hide in secret places
so that I cannot see them?”
declares the Lord.
“Do not I fill heaven and earth?”
declares the Lord.


Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

PRAY  Thank you, Father, that no matter how invisible I feel - how used, unwanted, pushed aside or forgotten - You always see me, hear me and love me.