Genesis 29:31: “When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless.”
“Here is your pendant back”, said Leah to Rachel and added: “Jacob went to see our father after he discovered the truth this morning.” Leah’s eyes were still swollen from crying. It pained Rachel to see her like this, and in an attempt to console her she said: “The worst is over, Leah, now that Jacob knows that he’ll have two wives.” She paused and looked at her with compassion. “Leah, why don’t you try to relax before Jacob returns? Ask your servant Zilpah to give you some beauty treatments.”
After Leah’s bridal week was over Laban gave his youngest daughter in marriage to Jacob, just as he had promised. His servant Bilhah became Rachel’s assistant. Like in the prior week, celebrations lasted well into the night. When Jacob and Rachel were finally alone in the wedding tent he immediately noticed the pendant. “I didn’t know that I gave you two pendants. I saw the same kind of necklace around Leah’s neck last week.” Rachel put her perfumed fingers on his lips and whispered: “My love, let’s not ruin our wedding night over a necklace.” Jacob felt electrified by the mere touch of her hand and said, “Yeah, let’s not talk about this – ever!” And he began to kiss her with rekindled passion.
As time wore on, it became obvious to Leah that Jacob was deeply in love with her sister while she received the shorter end of the stick. He showed up to perform his marital duties, but his heart always seemed far away. Every day she was reminded, one way or another, that Jacob was completely devoted to Rachel. “And why would I want to change that?” she thought to herself. “Would I want to steal Jacob’s love from my sister?”
And there it was again. A wave of nausea overcame her, and she quickly ran outside and vomited behind a bush. She felt and looked terrible. Her servant Zilpah immediately noticed her condition and said, “You are with child, mistress.” Leah had lain down to recuperate, but immediately jolted back up as she heard the surprising news. “Are you sure?” she asked Zilpah. Her attendant nodded, saying: “I know that you grew up without your mother and you are new to these things. One of the first signs of pregnancy is morning sickness.” And then it hit Leah: Jacob’s God must have taken notice of her misery and blessed her with a child. What a wonderful surprise!
Although Leah’s appearance was not as exotic as her sister Rachel, she held a beauty of her own. There was a sweetness about her that mirrored in her delicate features. Her hazel eyes were reflective, and from an early age she had learned to look past appearances. She had never put too much stock in her father’s household gods, but enjoyed listening to Jacob’s tales about his invisible God who became visible one glorious night. He saw the Lord atop a stairway that led to heaven. Never in a million years had she heard of such a thing. The gods of her childhood were moody and had to be appeased – certainly they would not cater to a human being. And now Jacob’s God seemed to smile on her. “Thank you,” she whispered in a first timid prayer.
Jacob was elated to hear the news of Leah’s pregnancy. “Are you ok?” he asked her. She smiled at him and said: “Yes I am! Your God has blessed us with our first child.” – “Praise be to Him”, Jacob responded and kindly added: “By the way: my God is your God also.” Leah blushed and said: “I am not used to a god paying attention to me.” Jacob put an arm around her shoulder and said: “The Lord of heaven and earth is paying attention to everybody. Nothing escapes Him. And He has His eye on you, Leah.”
Leah relished this moment. As far as she was concerned, this was their first tender encounter as husband and wife. But this moment quickly passed. Steeped in thoughts, Jacob’s facial expression grew distant. Letting go of Leah he said: “I have to tell Rachel. Maybe she is pregnant too.” And out the door he went. Married life was so much tougher than she had imagined.
Months flew by as her body ballooned into the late stages of her pregnancy. As of lately, Leah couldn’t help but notice that her sister treated her somewhat differently. The more her belly grew, the more Rachel seemed aloof. “This is probably only my imagination”, Leah mused. “Clearly, I’m jealous because our husband prefers her over me.”
And then her water broke.
It was the time of year when all the men in Laban’s household were out in the fields shearing sheep. By the time word reached Jacob that Leah had gone into labor his first son was already born.
Jacob ran all the way home and was out of breath when he finally arrived at Leah’s tent. The midwife came out to greet him and said: “Congratulations! You have a healthy son!” Jacob was overjoyed and asked: “How is Leah?” The midwife smiled and said, “She is fine. She is waiting for you.” And Jacob entered her tent. There before his eyes was Leah with the newborn. As tiny as he was – thick, dark hair already covered his head. Her hazel eyes brimmed with joy as she handed the infant over to Jacob. “I named him Reuben”, she said. “Oh I love that name!” Jacob said excitedly, “It means “See – a son!” He looked at Reuben in awe and wonder. “What a beautiful gift”, he said over and over again. And Leah relaxed on her couch thinking to herself: “Surely my husband will love me now.”