Genesis 29:31-35

2008.Dec.12 14:10

It Ain’t Gonna Happen

Read Genesis 29:31-35 | Full Chapter

When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, "Because the LORD has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me." 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.
(Genesis 29:31-35, ESV)

Leah and Rachel, sisters and fellow-wives to their cousin, Jacob, exiled from Palenstine, returned to old family homestead. Leah is the first wife and eldest, but it is Rachel who receives Jacob’s love, admiration and desires. Leah is the wife he didn’t want, but accepted in order to marry her sister–and that only after some deception. Leah’s life is proving less than wonderful.

Yahweh is not unaware of such slights or hardships. In this case, aware of her treatment, Yahweh allows (causes?) Leah to conceive and, in succession, bear four sons while her sister remains without children. It’s not clear here what God’s goals are. Obviously, in a culture that places a great deal of value of the children–particularly the sons–of a woman, and sees the worth of the woman at least to some degree in that light, her having four sons will help Leah be considered more…successful?…within this society. It strikes me as unlikely that this would be Yahweh’s primary reason, but I really have no way of knowing.

It’s clear what Leah hopes this will accomplish: “for now my husband will love me,” “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also,” “Now this time my husband will be attached to me.” She sees her sons as the means for gaining some measure of the love that Jacob gives Rachel. But I’ve not noticed any indication that such ever happens. Even later, Jacob will value the sons of Rachel more than these first four (I might note at this point that two of these tribes, Judah and Levi, ultimately have particularly significant roles in the Biblical history of Israel). Unfortunately, Jacob is a jerk, at least at times, and this is one of those times.

But then something quite astounding happens. Leah has the forth son, whom she names Judah. She says, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Wow. Three times she sought love from her husband. This time she gives love to Yahweh. Now, just this little snippet no doubt leaves out a lot of details. There’s no indication that Leah had ignored God prior to the birth of Judah. But this final statement represents a radical shift in attitude from those prior.