Never Enough? Time to Refocus

God created humans with a unique desire to please those who are important to their well-being, like a husband or wife, because pleasing is a source of happiness. The struggle to please becomes stressful where hope is diminishing or doesn’t exist. When Leah’s first son was born, her hope was, "Surely my husband will love me now."

Leah's struggle for acceptance is also evident after her third son is born. Listen to her desperation. “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, even though he doesn’t love me, because I have given him three sons.” Her desire to please Jacob is sad because no matter how much she gives, he will not love her as he does Rachel.

 

In observing Jacob, Leah and Rachel, it’s apparent each is doing his or her best in a situation strained with tension and unhappiness. In the depths of unhappiness, Leah focused on the Lord God who gave her comfort and security. He will do the same for you when you seek him with all your heart, soul, strength and mind.  

Too Much Heat in the Kitchen

Jacob’s concurrent marriages to sisters Leah and Rachel would bring a directional change to his life. Can you imagine the potential for conflict that this arrangement would generate in a home? The sisters were subject to jealousy and envy that often got out of hand because of a fierce competition for Jacob’s love and acceptance. Leah knew she was not Jacob’s first choice.

There's an old cliche that emphatically states, "There's not enough room in the kitchen for two women.” Can you imagine the atmosphere of a household where there are two wives who are sisters, married to the same man? Remember, God was not the author of the deception that allowed this double marriage to take place.

 

The only one who gave consent to this double marriage was the father of the sisters. However, Leah’s unhappiness did not escape God’s attention, and she soon gave birth to a son. Leah acknowledged he was a gift from the Lord. Wherever you are, please know that God sees and cares what's happening to you, so bring all your problems to him.