Leah: Called to be more than a pretty face!

So much for being first-born! Did Father have so little faith in me, think me so unattractive that he thought the only way I would get a husband would be to trick one into marrying me?

I know Rachel is gorgeous, how could I not know? She could have any guy she wanted. I saw him coming, a stranger, someone who hadn't yet fallen under her spell. Perhaps, perhaps he would look at me.

Now Laban had two daughters; Leah was the older and Rachel the younger. Leah had nice eyes, but Rachel was stunningly beautiful. And it was Rachel that Jacob loved.
​Genesis 29:16-17 MSG

But no, all Rachel had to do was walk up to the well with the sheep. He was all over her, and she didn't even put up any pretense.

10 Now when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, Jacob went up and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother. 11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and wept aloud. 
​Genesis 29: 10-11 RSV

​Why did I let Father talk me into it? Tradition, smadition! How could I fall for all that family loyalty stuff...those smokin' brown eyes, those muscles when he rolled the stone off the well...watching him for seven...long...years...what was I thinking! 

 23 But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her... 25 And in the morning, behold, it was Leah; and Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” 26 Laban said, “It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the first-born. 27 Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” 28 Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to wife... 30 So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban for another seven years.
Genesis 29:23, 25-28, 30 RSV

One night of bliss, one week of pretense...could things get any worse? Betrayed by my Father, thrown over by Jacob, and did you see how Rachel was gloating? My life is definitely over!

When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.
​Genesis 29: 31 RSV

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It's an ugly place, that place of betrayal by those you trust, isn't it, Dear Reader? That place where the most cherished  dreams of your heart have been crushed by a word, a look, a text.

Dear, Dear Reader, God didn't create His children just to reject and desert them.

The psalmist, shepherd, and king, David, understood disappointment. He was anointed to lead Isreal, and yet there were times when it must have seemed like it had all been a cruel joke.

Whether it was born of despair or delight, to me, David's prayer for victory is one of the most beautiful in God's Word. Can we empathize with Leah's heartbreak, and still grab the tendrils of our faith to claim David's prayer for ourselves?

1 May the Lord answer you when you are in trouble!
    May the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from his Temple
    and give you aid from Mount Zion.
3 May he accept all your offerings
    and be pleased with all your sacrifices.
4 May he give you what you desire
    and make all your plans succeed.
5 Then we will shout for joy over your victory
    and celebrate your triumph by praising our God.
May the Lord answer all your requests.
​Psalm 20: 1-5 GNT