Jacob And Leah: Patriarch Series Part 3

Genesis 29:31-35
31 When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. 32 So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, “The Lord has surely "looked" on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me.” 33 Then she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has "heard" that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. 34 She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will become "attached" to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. 35 And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now I will 'praise' the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing."

Poor Leah.  All she ever wanted was for Jacob to love her.  She was desperate to get his attention.  God saw that Jacob favored Rachael over her and, seeing her distress, allowed her to be fruitful and bear many sons.  Her younger sister Rachael, who got all the love and attention, however, was barren.

Leah gave birth to her first son and named him "Reuben" for she said, “The LORD has surely LOOKED on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me."  Alas, he did not. Reuben's name in Hebrew means "behold a son!"

Then she bore him a second son and called him Simeon “Because the LORD has HEARD that I am unloved."  Simeon means "hear/listen," from the root word, "shemá."

Then she bore him a third son.  She named him "Levi" which means "attach," for she said, “Now this time my husband will become ATTACHED to me." Didn't happen.

All this time, Rachael remained barren.

At last, Leah stopped striving to please her husband, and when Judah was born, she said " “Now I will PRAISE the LORD.” Therefore she called his name "Judah." Judah means "praise."  At last she learned to stop worrying and just praise the LORD in spite of her situation.  

(For more on Judah and the meaning hidden in the Hebrew letters of his name follow this link: http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/08/judah-means-praise.html)

It's the same message our loving ABBA wants to convey to us today.  Leah didn't know it at the time but all along God was speaking to her through the names of her sons.

Here is God's perspective.  You can see His heart is full of His beloved Son!
Reuben- "See The SON." See Jesus!
Simeon- "Listen to The SON." Listen to Jesus!
Levi- be attached to The SON." Be attached to Jesus!
Judah-Praise The Lord!  Praise Jesus!

Epilogue:  

Somewhere along the way, Leah finally got her heart's desire.  When Jacob was about to die, guess next to whom he wanted to be buried?

Yes...Leah!

In case you missed part one, follow this link:  http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/06/abraham-and-sarah.html