Genesis 29:33–35 (ESV)

She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.

What takes seconds to read about here, takes years to transpire. These events put relentless pressure on Jacob to change his attitude. Leah names her second son Simeon, which means “heard,” and announces, “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” Remember, everyone is living in Laban’s household, and Laban loves Leah. Now she’s brought two grandsons into the household and Jacob is expected to appreciate that. His crush on Rachel is nice and all that, but Leah is producing.

Then she has another son—Levi, which means “attached,” saying, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” While Jacob must be spending some time with Leah—she couldn’t get pregnant otherwise—she’s now demanding more. Sons are the coin of the realm, and Leah has a God-given gift for producing them. She’s announcing that Jacob will mainly be with her.

The fourth son is icing on the cake, and Leah names him Judah, which means “praise,” saying, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Notice that her bitterness is gone. Jacob really is spending a lot of time with Leah. She has won.

Actually, God has won. Jacob hated Leah, not just because of her weak eyes but because she tricked him. But God is on Leah’s side and Jacob now gets that. Eventually he just softens. He knows he can’t control who gets pregnant, and opposing God’s will just seems dumb.

But there’s an even deeper lesson; Jacob has learned to love Leah. He still loves Rachel, but he’s gotten more mature, and his appreciation of Leah is no longer just obligatory. Leah is a fine woman who shouldn’t be judged for her looks. Jacob is starting to think like a grown-up.

And Leah was the agent of that change. All she did was be herself, talking to Jacob, praying to God, and sharing her pain.

Leah’s tears were God’s chosen instrument to turn Jacob into a man.

This leads somewhere. Leah’s pain wasn’t just something God allowed; it was something God created. God gave Leah her weak eyes.

We like to talk about how God’s ways are higher than our ways, as long as we can change the subject when it gets too close to home. It’s obvious (from both the Bible and from life) that pain avoidance is not a big priority for God.

Something else is what it’s all about.

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These weekday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. Saturdays' by Matt Richardson. Subscribe here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/community

The weekly study guides, which include questions for discussion or meditation, are here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NASB stands for the New American Standard Bible. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.