37 Comments

  1. I came across this blog post after searching for Leah’s story. I saw a video about how Leah thought by having children would win the affection of her husband. I’ve heard that story many times, but it did not relate to my life, until recently. I recently made the decision to cut off ties with the father of my kids. For almost 6 years I tried to win over his loyalty and faithfulness and it only led me to being hurt and cheated on and so far away from God. I even thought by having his kids would make him faithful and ready to be fully committed. I was wrong.

    I am now at the place in my life where I want to seek God and all that He has for me.

    This post blessed me.

  2. This brought tears to my eyes. It felt like pepper being applied to my raw pain, but instead of more pain (pepper stings I know 😃), these words have been therapeutic to me. Your perspective on Leah has healed my aching heart. Thanks so much for yielding to God.

    I have been fascinated for a long time with Leah’s story, and moving forward I choose to focus on God rather than my unfilled desires.

  3. This was a great article. I remember reading the story of Leah and Rachel years ago and thinking, “Leah is me! God understands.” I am 30 years old, single, and I have never been in a serious relationship. I also have a poor relationship with my father. Years of being rejected by men who did not return my feelings and thinking that I will never be good enough. Always asking God when will the right man come who will love me. He is teaching me to praise Him in the midst of unfulfilled desire. Nothing is new under the sun, so I know God is able to care for me the same way He did for Leah.

  4. This post moved me to tears! I recently heard a sermon about Leah’s story and how undervalued she was by by her husband and father (and I could imagine her and Rachel were in competition since they were young). The preacher giving the sermon ended with the point of turning pain into praise, similar to taking the eternal perspective, but this answer wasn’t satisfying to me. My first though was “this isn’t fair! How is she expected to be happy when her husband is sleeping with her sister and their maids! What is so hard about asking for love and respect?!” This story is very personal to me because I see some mirrors between Leah and my own life. Six months ago, I got out of a bad relationship with a man who happens to be named Jacob (it freaked me out how similar my ex was to Jacob in the Bible) and I felt so undervalued being with him the way Lea did in her marriage. A few months after we ended I found out he had been unfaithful and I had never felt so crushed and worthless. I still attend college with his friends and one of the girls he cheated on me with, and I would feel so bent out of shape every time I would see her in my classes because I couldn’t help but feel like Leah and she was Rachel. I didn’t have children with him, but I went out of my way and let him cross my boundaries in order to try to “earn” his affection and love and security, all to no avail. Reading this post however, reminded me that God is so tender and compassionate to those who are in pain. I have been throwing myself into the Word ever since and found that there is no bottom with God and taking the eternal perspective, I let Him fill my heart up with forgiveness and love and ask Him to prevent bitterness from growing. Even though I didn’t get what I wanted like Leah, I’m falling in love with the man who can take care of me the best, the Lord my God! This has been such a crazy journey for me but I can feel God healing my heart, making it whole and plump so I can do my part in His will for me. I know this is a long reply but this post meant so much to me while God and I work for me to be completely healed by this, you are a beautiful and talented writer and I’m going through the archives of posts on this website 😁. Have a Happy and Blessed New Year!!!

    1. Yasmine, I am so glad this post ministered to you the way that you did. And you are right — the Lord LOVES you so very much! You are His precious daughter, a princess and I believe He has wonderful things in store for you! Keep pursuing Him! Bless you sister!

    2. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I went through a similar circumstance recently. I couldn’t say this initially, the hurt was just too great, but now I’m thankful for the trial because it has brought me closer to God, widened my perspective, fortified my faith, and strengthened my testimony of Him and his infinite love for us. May God Bless You and Anyone who reads this. 😇

  5. I very much relate to Leah . I’ve been married for eight years now and my husband has revealed that he loves me but is not in love with me and never has been. We have a daughter and I’m not sure what to do. I am very much in love with my husband and always have been. It hurts to know that he’s never had the same passion that I’ve had for him. It’s left me so confused. I pray for him every day and still want to very much stay and fight for my marriage, I just am not sure if it’s the right thing to do. It’s been a tough month, trying to stay strong for my daughter. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to bear this cross. Especially when I know that I’m the only one praying every day. Has anyone else ever been through the same situation? Is there any hope that his feelings will change? Is it worth it for me to stay? I could sure use some prayer.

    1. Absolutely, With God, all things are possible. Pray, Speak and manifest God’s words. Believe God is working behind the scenes changing and restoring what the enemy has stolen.
      Jessica, God hears the prayers of the faithful! Blessings to you during these challenging times!💞

  6. It’s amazing to me that our Messiah came through the lineage of Leah, not Rachel. Leah gave birth to Judah the fourth son, as you said. Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. SO in a way, Leah got the greater blessing. Also, Jacob is buried with Leah, not Rachel.

  7. I too was disturbed by this marriage mix up over the years. I read it again recently and Laban asked Jacob to give Leah her week, then he could also have Rachel while working the seven additional years. Gen. 27-28.

  8. I think I needed to read this today. By some miracle it was the first thing that popped up on my Pinterest account. I am in tears. After a bad divorce and another failed relationship I often wonder what is wrong with me. Will I ever have someone to love me? Thank God for this word.

    1. Oh Kathya, my heart aches hearing what you’ve been through. But I pray that God comfort and strengthen you. I believe that He knows the depths of pain that you have felt and desires to heal your heart in such a way that you never dreamed possible. He loves you more than you can imagine. I believe that He will do an incredible work in your heart and in your life as you walk with Him. I’ll be praying for you.

  9. Wow! I never felt like I related to Leah until now. I feel sad, compassion and hope all at the same time. And more mindful of Gods work behind the signs. More to process on this 😆.but thank you!

  10. The story of Leah has always made me sad. I liked my name but hated the meaning. This is the first time I’ve ever read it and not felt that way. Thank you! (In Gaelic, Leah means “Light of the sun”, I like that definition better 😀 )

  11. Thank you! This is very much how I feel and though I try to love Him and trust him anyway, at times it feels too heavy. Thank you for the reminder that one day it will make sense and one day it will not matter how I feel I’ve suffered now because the blessings will be far greater than anything I’ve given up.

    1. I can totally relate, Kaitlin. Life sometimes feels VERY heavy, and I’ve had so many time in my journey when trust was so hard – and in the end, it was my only option. I think when we get to the point of accepting the eternal perspective, even if it includes our short-term suffering, is when life doesn’t feel as heavy anymore (and then, it seems we are really opened up to His blessing, too). Much love, friend! xoxo – Kate

  12. Wonderful post! So glad I found your blog. I loved your “take” on the story of Leah. I think many more women can identify with Leah than Rachel, the beautiful sister.

    1. Laurie-totally! I was definitely the ‘less pretty’ friend among all my girls in high school and college! (I always had beautiful friends! lol) It is easy to really let that sink into your identity – but I love how God carved out something so special for Leah (and not Rachel! But maybe that’s just me being spiteful! lol). But seriously, He doesn’t play favorites and He truly has something special special for us all. Thanks so much for reading, Laurie! 🙂

  13. Loved this approach to Leah’s story! So much loneliness, yet God in His divine wisdom blessed her abundantly. Thank you for this rendition of such a dramatic love triangle.

    1. Maritza – I know. When I really think of what it must’ve been like for Leah, it truly hearts my heart. I sometimes see people in the Bible as one-dimensional, like flat characters in a story, not like real people. But this must’ve been so hard for her. I love how God has something so special for her in spite of never having the earthly romance she wanted. Thanks so much for reading! – Kate

  14. Thank you for this wonderful post! We are studying Leah and Rachel right now over at Proverbs 31 Online Bible Studies. It’s been a real eye opener! God has so much for each of us and we can miss it when we think we’ve been robbed! TY for your beautiful writing! ❤

    1. Donna – I’ve been thinking about that phrase you mentioned – ‘when we think we’ve been robbed.’ That’s such an insightful perspective. I have definitely felt that way at times, for sure…gonna think about that a little more… I’d love to take a look at the study you are doing! Thanks for reading, Donna! 🙂 – Kate

  15. SUCH a beautiful and encouraging teaching, Kate! I had never thought about the fact that Leah was honored in burial in a way Rachel wasn’t. This post serves as a great reminder of keeping an eternal perspective on our lives. Thank you for taking the time and effort to formulate your thoughts in a way that inspires and invites reflection. Great job!

    1. Thanks, Darla! I appreciate your kind word. My heart always aches for people who feel like Leah (having felt that way myself!). But it’s so true – the eternal perspective is really the only antidote to feeling that way, b/c sometimes the scales just aren’t balanced here on earth. But so many times, God graciously gives us so many wonderful things here, too – and we are super-blessed for that. Thank you for reading, Darla! – Kate

  16. Hey Kate , I loved this post because I waited for years to have my womb blessed . It hurt my soul so much when I was belittled by others but I always held on the promises of God .

    Today I am mama of triplets ( I had prayed for twins ) . God has been good to you and I .

    Thank you Angel for hosting her . Blessings to you

    Glory to God

    1. Diana! That is amazing!!!! I had twin boys after our spell with infertility. I had 2 miscarriage, and then God blessed me with twins. Always His timing – but the pain of infertility is a very unique sting that hits us right in the core. I’m so, so happy you have a full home now! God is faithful! 🙂 Thanks so much for reading, Diana! 🙂

  17. I love this! Relating to the multiple wives and sending the maid in can be hard, but we can all relate to feeling unloved and to not getting what we want.

    1. Sarah – exactly. I have definitely gone through both sets of emotions (many times!). But God really is faithful to fill those gaps with Himself and take the sting out. He really is enough – and the eternal perspective really helps to take out some of the sting. Thank you for reading, Sarah! – Kate

      1. Thank you for this post! I have two young daughters. The older one has “weak eyes.” I wonder if Leah had some sort of a lazy eye too. Her friends at school recently started commenting that her eyes look “creepy” and that made me so sad. I’ve been taking her to vision therapy and trying to detox her body in various ways to help “fix” her eyes, but nothing has really changed in the past few years.
        I was recently reminded of Leah and Rachel. This post helped me recognize God’s beautiful purpose for Leah and His love for her and that God created my daughter exactly the way she is for His greater purpose. I hope that my daughter too will be able to recognize how loved she is, and how God has a wonderful purpose for her, despite her “weak eyes.”

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