As Rachel helped her to put on the heavy veiling customary for eastern brides, Leah could hear the activity in the feasting tents. Everyone was laughing and singing making toast to Jacob and Rachel's health. Leah's mind raced. She had stood and watched as her father had made deals through the years. Listened as he came away crowing about getting the best of his business partners. this time was different, she and Rachel were not sheep, and Jacob was not just another Shepard buying indiscriminately. Everyone could see that Jacob truly loved Rachel. What would her life be like once he learned he had been given the wrong woman? But at the same time, there was a spark of hope, that this would work. She knew she could make Jacob a good wife. She just needed a chance to prove herself, and then perhaps he would learn to love her too. Maybe the marriage would change him to eventually love her instead of Rachel.
All Leah's hopes came crashing down around her as the next morning Jacob woke to find, not Rachel his beloved, but Leah beside him. he thought he had married Rachel,as he lay down in a drunken stupor, but woke to see that his new wife was Leah. He was not happy about it. He stormed out of the tent in a rage, searching for Laban. He wanted to know why he was tricked. And so begins a lifetime of struggle. Leah watches helplessly as her dishonest father makes a new deal for another wife with Jacob. One week later, her sister, Rachel, became Jacob's second wife.
The struggle between two sisters is not what we are looking at here, but the results of the struggle in Leah's life. We watch as the scriptures show us how God took the side of Leah and "opened her womb" when He saw that she "was hated"(Gen. 29:31) Leah was in love with a man who did not return her affection. You can see her struggle with the rejection of her husband and the taunting of her sister. After her third son was born, Leah had a change of attitude. She was learning that God was her true source of comfort and love. She praised God for his goodness to her. Her struggles and problems did not disappear because of her change of attitude, but her soul became at peace as she became content to accept the circumstances she was placed in. Because of this, Jacob's attitude toward Leah changed as well.
She never became his first choice, but when all was said and done, he chose to be buried next to Leah.
God also chose Leah. Years later God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, through the line of the tribe of Judah, Leah's third son. Leah because of her attitude and acceptance of God's will, was blessed and used of God. During her lifetime she never knew the fullness,of God's plan. God took an awkward situation for Leah, and used it for our good and His glory. Through that third son Judah, would come the line of Christ, the Saviour of the world.
What can you can learn from Leah's story? God does not promise you that the skies will always be blue,or that life will be free of pain,or loneliness or that there will not be storms in life. He is a fair God he warns you that life is not always fair. And he promises you that he will comfort you in the loneliness, support you in your stand for him, and to reward your faithfulness to him. It may not come in the way you think it should, or when you think it should, but you can be sure of one thing: you do not go un-noticed in the eyes of an all-seeing God. Whatever may happen in your life, God can change it and make it work together for your good.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)Continue to trust God and He will work things together for good. It is your job to remain faithful, knowing that He who sends you into the battle of life, surrounds you with help on every side. Leah never understood in her lifetime why some of the things that happened to her happened the way they did. You may not understand why things happen to you, but God can and will make it work for your good. One day in the future He will make all things become new. You will see that He has been in control all along, and what he has done is protected you from, what he has provided for you and all he has done for you. Be patient and trust him.