Genesis 29:31- 35 The Lord Cares for the Unloved

This passage begins with the phrase, “When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, he enabled her to become pregnant” (29:31). The Lord notices Leah’s plight. He is aware of what has happened to her. Her father has used trickery to marry her to Jacob.

Many people in our day feel unloved. Perhaps you are one. You may be an unmarried person feeling unloved because of your singleness. You may be a married person wishing you were single because you do not feel appreciated by your spouse. You may feel unloved by parents or by children.

Whatever the situation, we must know that the Lord knows about it and that He cares for us. We are not alone in this world. A loving Heavenly Father is with us.

He saw Hagar in the wilderness and blessed her. He saw Leah in her barrenness and gave her children. He sees you and me and extends His grace to us.

Leah named her first son, Reuben. The precise meaning is “Look, a son.” Leah commented on the name, “The Lord has looked with pity on my oppressed condition.” Then she said, “Surely my husband will love me now.

How tragic that she felt so unloved even when married to a believer. As we think of this situation, we must consider not only our condition as being unloved but also the possibility that we are the ones who are failing to love our spouses as we should.

Leah named her second son Simeon, a name that comes from the word “to hear.” She observes, “Because the Lord heard that I was unloved, he gave me this one too” (29:33).

She named her third son Levi, a name with disputed meaning. It sounds like the word used earlier in the verse translated “show affection.” It means to join or to be drawn. The name Levi expresses her hope that Jacob would now show affection or be drawn to her because she had given him a son.

The Lord blesses Leah with a fourth son whom she names Judah, meaning praise the Lord. Notice how the earlier names all related to her feelings of being unloved by her husband. By naming her son Judah she expresses her praise to the Lord who has blessed her in the midst of her loneliness. Perhaps she had resigned herself to the fact that Jacob would always have a special love for her sister.

Isn’t it the same with us? We pray about situations hoping that a certain outcome might take place. In some cases nothing seems to change. In the end we must leave it with the Lord and praise Him. He is good to us in all situations. He knows our difficulties and loves us with a never ending love.

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord” - Psalm 150:6