THE SET UP: Have you ever felt like a runner up in life? Maybe you were put in the “friend zone” when you hoped for more of a relationship with someone. Or you kept getting the interview, but not the job. If you feel that enough times in your life, you can begin to think, “Life is great, just not for me.” And if you are a follower of Jesus, you might think, “God is good and can do anything, but probably not for me.”
Leah could relate to all those feelings and more. She was Jacob’s first wife. Unfortunately, her sister Rachel was Jacob’s second wife and the one he had wanted all along. Leah’s father had tricked Jacob into marrying her and then made it up to him by arranging for Jacob to marry Rachel also. Jacob’s heart and attention were obviously focused on Rachel, and Leah felt more like a servant girl than a wife. So she cried out to God for a son so she could win Jacob’s heart, and God heard her prayer and blessed her with a son. But while Jacob loved his son, it didn’t change how he treated his wives.
You may be wondering how this sad story relates to Advent and the birth of Jesus, the Savior. Well, Leah continued to give Jacob children, and one of her sons was named Judah. There were twelve tribes that made up the nation of Israel, and Judah was one of those tribes. It is the tribe and family line of Judah that produced David, one of the greatest kings of Israel. And, thousands of years later, another king, Jesus, would be born from the tribe of Judah. You can see the genealogy of Judah, David, and Jesus in Matthew 1.
As we anticipate Christmas during this Advent season, you may feel that the hope of the holidays is for everyone except you. Like Leah, it may seem that joy is beyond your grasp. But know that God is working in your life just as he was working in the life of Leah and that he has a purpose and a plan for you. May you rejoice in God’s gifts in your life this Christmas!
PASSAGE TO READ: Genesis 29
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
· If you were in Leah’s situation, how do you think you would have felt? Have you ever had those feelings about your own life?
· How do you feel your faith in Jesus has helped you experience joy and purpose in life?
· Is there a place in your life where you can look back and see how God used a difficult time in your life to produce something positive? If so, how does that change your perspective about that difficult situation?
PRAYER: “Lord, thank you for seeing me in the times when I have felt unseen. I believe that you have a plan for my life and that it is for my good. When I am unsure about your goodness in my life, remind me that your love, mercy, and grace is not just for others. I pray you would give me an opportunity to share that hope this holiday season. Amen.”