June 7th, 2022 – Early Tuesday Evening
“Now the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.” ~Genesis 29:31
This verse reminds us of the just and sovereign nature of God, especially when we consider the greater context around this particular situation: In the previous three chapters or so in this book, we can look back and see the LORD’s faithfulness to Isaac, His blessings upon him and upon his sons, and the LORD’s blessing of Jacob – despite Jacob’s deceit and conniving. Finally, we see Jacob’s arrival and settling with his uncle Laban – including his agreement to work for Laban’s daughter Rachel; Laban then tricked Jacob and ended up receiving 14 years of free labor in exchange for both of his daughters’ hands in marriage to Jacob. In the midst of all that you would think that Jacob would have compassion for his first wife, Leah, who had got caught up in the middle of her father’s conniving ways (since Jacob was also the recipient of Laban’s mean trickery); yet, we see in verse 30 that Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah.
Did that all go unnoticed by the LORD? Did Laban’s deceit go undetected by the One who embodies truth? Did Jacob’s partiality and insensitivity escape the Everlasting Father’s perfect eyes? Did Leah’s rejection, shame, and hurt somehow slide past He who is the comforter and protector of widows? No, no, no, and no! While each one of these things is not dealt with here (and some not directly in Scripture), we can see and know that the LORD does indeed righteously judge and execute judgment on every deed. Here in this passage He chose to mete out a certain amount of defense and justice by opening rejected Leah’s womb and binding loved Rachel’s. This was recognized by Leah, as seen in the following four verses.
We live in treacherous times. Whether we are reaching the end of our nation or the end of the world, we all know something is happening and that it is happening at a record pace. The endless possibilities of failure, entrapment, and devastation confront us on every level and turn. Beyond that, as human beings we are constantly bombarded by the subtle and not-so-subtle lies of the world, the flesh, and the devil, regardless of our own personal struggles, trials, pain, and circumstances. At times we may be tempted to bury our head in the sand or to rush headlong into the fray or even to give up altogether; how in the world do we survive in the midst of such crazed insanity?
Remember the LORD’s care for and intervention on behalf of a young woman who likely did not know Him and who was unloved by her husband. Remember that He is sovereign and able to do anything necessary to bring about His perfect justice and plan. Remember that He cares more for you and I than we can even begin to comprehend. Remember that He deserves our utmost devotion, our faithful love, and our constant gratitude. And, remember that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. May we submit ourselves to Him and trust in His sovereignty, justice, and love.