Delivered April 22, 2007
by Pastor Marilyn Henderson
Leah was so excited. Today was her wedding day! She felt as if she was living in a dream. Finally, long after her cousins had been married, she was to be married also.
The first time she had seen Jacob she had loved him. True, he said he wanted Rachel. But Father was insistent that tradition be followed, that she, as the elder daughter, would be married first.
The seven long years of waiting were over. Jacob and Father had spoken about a wedding several weeks ago and the preparations had begun. She loved the robe and veil for which her mother had bargained a long time. How fortunate the traders' caravan had stopped so close to their encampment! They had also been able to add to their stock of wedding wine and festive foods.
The tent she and Jacob would share was set up and pegged securely. The pillows and furnishings and cooking utensils were in place and ready for use. Her maid, Zilpah, had been trained to her mother's satisfaction. All was ready for Leah's marriage to Jacob.
Leah had longed for a home of her own since she had been a little girl. Oh, she loved her mother and father and the home they had given her and her sister and brothers. But she was ready to care for a husband, home and family.
Yes, she had talked about all these things with the women of the family as they gathered together to work and talk. It was normal to do so. But there was one thing she just couldn't talk about. With anyone. She had always dreamed that she would love her husband and that he would return her love. Her parents were prime examples of the love that can come to a wife and husband, even though the marriage had been arranged by their parents. She hoped she would experience the same connection with Jacob, to know what he was thinking by exchanging glances, to feel secure in his love and to know that he felt these things, too.
Leah expected her marriage to bring her fulfillment.
Perhaps some of us place expectations for fulfillment on a person or event.
Some look to marriage or those they live with for fulfillment,
some hope for fulfillment through their children or grandchilren;
some may look for fulfillment in their work
or making money
or vacations to exotic places like Cuba!
Some may search for fulfillment through
emotional or spiritual experiences
relationships
miracles
their pastors' Sunday morning ministry.
The wedding day had been wonderful, full of joy and laughter. Well, it had almost been perfect.
Rachel wasn't very happy about Leah's marriage to Jacob, but Father insisted this was the way things were going to be. Everything else had been absolutely wonderful. Twenty-four hours later Leah's life was in ruins.
She had woken up to find Jacob staring at her as if he'd never seen her before. She had smiled and asked if he'd forgotten who he'd married. Jake had gotten so angry - angrier than she'd ever seen him. He had stormed out of their tent, yelling at her about - well, she didn't know what it was about. Nothing he said made any sense. And he stayed away all day.
Finally her mother told her what was going on. Jacob had believed that he was marrying Rachel! All these years, these last few weeks, yesterday - he was thinking of Rachel, her little sister. He was working and planning and waiting for - Rachel. And this morning he had woken up beside - Leah.
Act 1 - Leah's New Life BeginsLeah had been married to Jacob for one week when Rachel became Jacob's second and favourite wife. Gone were Leah's dreams for love and children, for Jacob barely spared her a glance. Leah felt like less than an after-thought. Her future stretched before her - long and empty. Leah wondered how her life would be fulfilled.
Perhaps some of us wonder how our lives will be fulfilled when our expectations aren't met.
Marriage
Children
Work
Money
Power
Special experiences or events
How others perform.
"When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, he opened her womb; but Rachel was barren."
God cared about Leah.Several months after the wedding fiasco, Jacob began visiting Leah during the week Rachel had her monthly woman's time. It began as only a brief greeting when Jacob poked his head into Leah's tent after dark. Jacob came occasionally at first, but after the second month Jacob was a husband to Leah. But only when Rachel was unavailable. Only when Jacob felt like it.
Leah tried to make sense of it all. Leah tried to do the right thing
to hope for Jacob's love
to not give up
to do what she could to give him what he needed.
But it was never enough.
Jacob barely seemed to notice her most of the time. Finally Leah conceived! Now, surely, Jacob would notice this perfect baby - a son! Surely Jacob would at least show some interest in their son - and his mother! Surely her life would change...
"And Leah became pregnant and bore a son and named him Reuben, [which means 'See, a son!']; for she said, Because the Lord has seen my humiliation and affliction; now my husband will love me."
Leah's life did change - she had more sons.
[Leah] "became pregnant again and bore a son and said, Because the Lord heard that I am despised and hated, He has given me this son also; and she named him Simeon" [God hears].
And she became pregnant again and bore a son and said, Now this time will my husband be a companion to me, for I have borne him three sons. Therefore he was named Levi [companion].
If only Jacob would seem grateful for the birth of their sons
If only Jacob would pay more attention to her and her boys
If only Jacob would even acknowledge her existence as a person
If only Jacob would change and love her
If only Jacob
Leah expected Jacob to change so her life would be fulfilled. Perhaps some of us expect others to change so that we can be fulfilled.
Again Leah conceived and bore a son, and she said, Now will I praise the Lord! So she called his name Judah [praise];
Judah, the praise of God. Leah was tired of being on a see-saw: One week of every month felt partially normal Three weeks of every month depressed. Jacob pretty much ignoring her ... he would never change. Not even her precious children could lift her spirits some days.
With Son #4, Leah decided to make a change herself"Again she conceived and bore a son, and she said, Now will I praise the Lord! So she called his name Judah [praise]"
Leah had decided that she would no longer give Jacob the power to make her unhappy. Leah indicated her new source of fulfillment when she named Judah. Leah also revealed a maturity gained through suffering and struggle.
ConclusionGod has acted in all our lives. Let us choose to put aside our expectations in people, things, power, experiences. Let us choose to change our expectations for fulfillment.
You are invited by God to be fulfilled by our participation in the Kingdom of God.
Petitcodiac Mennonite Church