Apples of Gold

From childhood we are trained that we should strive to always come in first place. Whether it is a race, a game, a contest; second place is frequently looked on as the first loser-not quite good enough. The accolades belong to the winner. The difference could be so minuscule that a photo-finish is required to determine who actually came in first; but once that determination is made the difference between the two often becomes astronomical. The winner gets their moment of fame and the runner up often just quietly disappears into the crowd disheartened and alone. 

I wonder if this is how Leah felt through most of her life. Her younger sister was beautiful, she was plain. Likely positive attention jumped over her and gravitated to her sparkly sister like the iron powder clings to the magnet in the nostalgic toy, Wooly Willy.  

I would be surprised if Leah was not looking forward to getting married and escaping the shadow of Rachel. I wonder if she was devastated when she realized that she would spend her marriage night with a man who wanted her sister. All hope of being the first love of her husband was lost within a mere week as Rachel-the one he really loved-becomes his second wife and she becomes his second choice. 

Scripture doesn’t attempt to hide the competition that ensued between these sisters for the title of Jacob’s Favorite Wife. Leah might only have been trying for a tie. She wanted to be loved too, not necessarily exclusively. 

When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, he enabled her to have children, but Rachel couldn’t conceive. So Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has noticed my misery, and now my husband will love me.” Genesis 29:31-32

It didn’t take long for Leah to realize that it didn’t work. She gave him a son but Jacob’s love was still withheld from her. Round two:

She soon became pregnant again and gave birth to another son. She named him Simeon, for she said, “The LORD heard that I was unloved and has given another son. Then she became pregnant a third time and gave birth to another son. He was named Levi, for she said, “Surely this time my husband will feel affection for me, since I have given him three sons.” Genesis 29:33-34

Leah 3, Rachel 0 and yet Leah remains unloved. I imagine by now her hope was pretty crushed. What else did she have to offer? Certainly she shed some tears. 

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 19:12

She seems to resign herself to her situation and accepts that she will have a less than fulfilling marriage. She needed to find her contentment from another source. It appears that she turned to THE source:

Once again Leah became pregnant and gave birth to another son. She named him Judah, for she said, “Now I will praise the LORD!” And then she stopped having children. Genesis 29:35

Most of us could learn a thing or two from Leah. Frequently we are more likely to find ourselves rising to the rank of number 2. Our hopes and dreams are within sight but just beyond our reach. Like Leah, we have done what we know to do and still find ourselves falling slightly short of the goal line. Sometimes we need to keep pressing forward-she didn’t just give up when she didn’t reach her goal the first time but there are times when we might find ourselves chasing after an unattainable goal. In these times it would serve us well to pivot as Leah did. Her present and future did not look the way she had imagined it; and the chances of it changing seemed dimmer and dimmer with each passing day. Rather than sulking in the corner, Leah shifts her gaze directly to her God. She focuses on the blessings he has given her and she chooses to praise the Lord.  

Leah’s circumstances didn’t change. Her sister was still the favorite. At least in her own mind, her husband didn’t look at her with affection. These things remained the same but Leah changed. I imagine her countenance was brighter as she found fulfillment in other ways. Apparently this had an effect on her sister. For the first time we see evidence of Rachel being jealous of Leah. 

Rachel seems to pick up the insecurity that Leah has finally been able to escape. The rivalry continues, although this time it seems to be instigated by Rachel instead of Leah. 

The secret to gaining contentment during the disappointments is found in our focus. Second place is often an accomplishment worth celebrating. Keep pressing forward. Leah didn’t get what she wanted but eventually she wanted what she got. When our ongoing circumstances have little chance of changing, the required change is going to be within our own hearts and minds. 

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.. Philippians 4:6-7