When You Feel Unloved

Her sister was beautiful and desirable while she herself was homely at best – ‘hard on the eyes’ the Bible says.  The wealthy young man that came to visit their family chose the younger, more appealing sister for marriage.  Yet their unscrupulous father tricks the handsome stranger into marrying the older, homely sister first.

Imagine the pain and frustration there would have been all around as these young hopefuls find themselves in a heart-breaking situation seemingly without any way out.

Have you ever felt that way?  That your circumstances {being out of your control} were simply too much to bear?  Have you questioned God’s purposes, motivation or even His existence during these times?

I have, and I bet that Rachel, Leah and Jacob {the characters in this story} did too.

Jacob eventually is able to marry his true love, the beautiful Rebekah, but the problems don’t end.  Just imagine if your husband had another wife and you get a picture of the jealousies and troubles that continue to plague that family.

So far this isn’t shaping up to be a very inspiring story, however, God says that the Old Testament was given to us to encourage usand to teach us how to have hope.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.  Romans 15:4

Interestingly, though Rebekah is more loved by Jacob, she is unable to conceive.  Meanwhile, homely, unloved Leah is fruitful and begins bearing Jacob a string of most coveted sons.  When their first son, Reuben, is born Leah believes that God, having seen her affliction, has opened her womb and that “now my husband will love me”.  However, though God has seen her affliction, Jacob’s heart is not turned towards her.

When their second son, Simeon, is born, the ever-hopeful Leah believes this might be the key to unlocking her husband’s love for her.  Unfortunately, Leah continues to suffer from being unloved and when she bears their third son, whom she names Levi {which means attached} she is still hoping that her poor, tormented husband will feel more of an attachment for her.  Her hopes are in vain for it is not to be so.

Some Bible scholars estimate that the period of time between birth and weaning during Biblical times was around 3 years.  This period of time in Leah’s life, bearing, nursing and weaning three sons, quite possibly reflects a long period of time.

Have you ever been sifted by a long trial?  They are a peculiar experience.  They can be used for great purifying purposes that teach all kinds of spiritual truths;  solidifying our ability to walk by faith, discern the voice of the Lord among the din of doubts, and perfecting our ability to fight spiritual battles victoriously.  Or they can be used to make excuses and give up declaring that it is all too much to bear.

The narrative of Leah’s life continues much the same.  Levi is weaned, Leah conceives again and bears a son – Judah {whose name means praise}.  Leah says, “Now I will praise God”.  Leah has changed her focus from her circumstances to her God.

Another blessing derived from a long trial is our forced, continual prayer and seeking of God.   As God strips us of our worldly idols, peircing our wayward hearts and drawing us to seek hard after truth, we come to a place of simple contentment in God and His promises regardless of our circumstances.

Though God was looking upon her and blessing her with children, she had bee focused upon her husband and her love-less circumstances.  In doing this she was blinded to the grace that God had already bestowed on her.  Leah changed her focus from Jacob to God and was filled with praise.

All who are familiar with suffering know that God promises to work all of our experiences, trials and triumphs alike, for good.  {Romans 8:28}  Leah, a woman who spent her whole adult life feeling unappreciated, was the mother to half of the patriarchs of Isreal.  Through her son Levi came the line of priests of Israel and through Judah she became the fountain head of the tribe from which Jesus Christ himself was born.

Let Leah’s breakthrough be your breakthrough.  Develop the habit of living in praise and thankfulness for what God has done in your life.  Focus on God and start praising Him.  There is no telling what your spiritual legacy will be.

…and when they praised the Lord saying, “He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting,” then the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God…  

2 Chronicles 5:13-14

Share and Enjoy