«Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years» (Genesis 29:30).
Rachel was more beautiful than her sister Leah and had Jacob’s unconditional love. He worked for her for seven years and they seemed like a few days to him. However, this love story does not have a happy ending. When the wedding date came, Jacob was deceived and received Leah as his wife instead of Rachel.
Most Bible commentators say that Leah agreed with the deception. Perhaps she secretly loved Jacob, or she was jealous of her sister, or she thought it was her only chance to get married. Nevertheless, Lea harvested a bitter fruit by her part in the deception: years of competition with her sister for Jacob’s love.
The arrival of her fourth son saw a change in Leah: she began to look at God as the source of her identity and self-esteem. That is why she called her son Judah, which means «praise» (see Genesis This was a radical change! Leah renounced her old way of thinking and stopped believing that her husband’s love or indifference established her value as a person. She focused on God and said, «This time I will praise the Lord.»
Because Leah had put her sense of personal worth into conquering Jacob’s love, she remained unhappy until she allowed God to be the source of her self-esteem. We can see her journey of emotional growth through the meanings of the names she chose for her sons. Reuben, the firstborn, means «Look, a son.» Leah said, «Now my husband will love me.» But Jacob didn’t love her! The name of the second son, Simeon, means «heard,» because Leah said, «The Lord heard that I was not loved and has given me another son.» Still feeling rejected, Leah called her third son Levi, which means «attachment.» Leah still believed she could win the competition with her sister, by giving Jacob three sons. However, Jacob didn’t love her!
Many of us are like Leah. We believe that the affection and approval of others are the verdict of our worth as people. We compete for validation, but the unconditional love we need only comes from God.
Dear Jesus, I don’t want to compete with anyone.
The validation and acceptance I’m looking for can’t be won.
You offer them freely. I surrender the weapons of competition and kneel at Your feet.
#WomensDevotional
#RadioJovenAdventista
#MeditacionesDiarias
Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Perez & Angelica Cuate
