Today's Readings - Genesis 29-30, Matthew 10, Psalm 9:4–10, Proverbs 2:12-15
Notes
Devotional
The Old Testament uses names to convey meaning, and as we read the sad story of Leah in Genesis 29:31-35, we see amazing spiritual progress she makes as she deals with a husband who did not love her or want her. Leah was Rachel's sister, and not the pretty one in the family. Jacob only married her because he wanted her beautiful sister Rachel. When he realized he'd been tricked into marrying Leah instead, he tolerated her because he wanted her sister.
Leah was married to a man who did not want her, her heart crying out for a love she would never receive. In that day, a woman's value was derived solely from her place in the family. Leah was unwanted. But she had one hope. By giving her husband sons, she could gain position. That was the ultimate status a woman could achieve in that culture - mother of a man's sons. She could never be prettier than her sister, but she hoped that by giving sons to Jacob she could gain status for herself. Rachel was pretty and loved, but she was also barren. Leah had a chance!
The names she gave her children bear witness to her desire for love and acceptance. Her first son was Reuben, which means "affliction." She believed God had seen her affliction and rewarded her with a son who would give her the love she wanted. Next came Simeon, whose name is based off a root word, "hear." God had heard her cries of pain and given her what she needed to gain her husband's love. Along came her third son, Levi. His name means "attached." Surely now Jacob would become attached to her since she had borne him three sons.
But it did not work. She remained unloved; his heart was still captured by Rachel's beauty. She had three sons but her cries for love went unanswered. That is when she changed tactics and did something wonderful and spiritually healthy.
When her fourth son came along she named him Judah, a name that is rooted in the word, "praise." This time she would not seek the approval and affection of her husband, but simply give praise, honor, and glory to God. She would seek God instead of Jacob.
We must love and serve others, but we must never live by their opinions. We find our being, our "self-image," our identity in God. He loves us with an eternal and unchanging love. He sent his son to die for our sins and drew us to himself. He is our life, our hope, our joy and our peace. God is life and God alone.
Those who look to others and their approval and opinions are doomed to spend their lives riding life's roller coaster - up when people treat them well and down when people are cruel or unkind. Those who focus on God above all and who find their life in him will find love and security, a peace that passes understanding and a joy that nothing in this world can destroy.
Lord, forgive me for so often operating on the basis of how people treat me, whether people like me, what people will think about me. Help me to live a "Judah" life - for the praise of your glory alone!
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