The Deceived, Deceiver
Jacob was a deceiver, and even his name carried that meaning. He deceived his father on his deathbed to steal the blessing from his brother. After fleeing for his life, he goes to his uncle’s home, where he meets Rachel. He found her beautiful and promised to work seven years for her father, in order to marry her. But on the wedding night, in an ancient act of deception, Rachel’s father substituted the less attractive sister as the bride. The next morning, Jacob discovered he had married the wrong woman. He had been jacobed—deceived.
The Unwanted Woman
The unwanted woman is Leah. Scripture doesn’t hide the pain: “When the Lord saw that Leah was neglected, he opened her womb…” (v. 31). Leah knew she was unloved. She knew she was second choice. She knew she was the woman Jacob never wanted. She did what many of us do when we feel unloved; she tried harder, trying to earn Jacob’s love through her children. She had a son and named him Reuben, saying, “…‘The LORD has seen my affliction; surely my husband will love me now’” (v. 32). But Jacob didn’t love her more. She had another son, Simeon. Still, nothing changed. She had a third son, Levi, declaring, “…‘At last, my husband will become attached to me because I have borne three sons for him’” (v. 34). Three children. Three attempts to earn love. Three times disappointed.
Then Leah had a fourth son. But this time, something was different. She named him Judah and said, “This time I will praise the LORD,” and then “Leah stopped having children” (v. 35). When she quit trying to achieve her husband’s affection and rejoiced that she had already received God’s attention and affection, she had peace. She stopped striving when she started resting in the love she already had from God.
Of the twelve tribes of Israel (Jacob’s new name), four come from Leah. Including the tribe of Judah. Jesus is the Lion from the tribe of Judah. Jesus comes from a deceiver and a woman who struggled with being loved because who Jesus comes from is who He comes for. Jesus comes for those who wonder if they are loved. He comes for those of who have been deceivers—and all of us have. Jesus has come here to the world He created to seek and to save you. He still pursues deceivers and those who feel unwanted. He still pursues people like us to make us His own.
