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Genesis 29:31-35

THE BATTLE OF THE WIVES

Now the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, and 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; surely now my husband will love me" (v 32).

What a pathetic situation Leah was in. She was married to a man who never wanted her as a wife and who refused to give her the love she so desperately needed. God, in His mercy, reached out to Leah, giving her a much-desired son, Reuben. Reuben means something like "look, a son". It was a great joy for Leah to be able to give Jacob a male child, who would become his heir. This child rekindled Leah's hope of being loved by Jacob, whose love for Rachel was so strong that he barely acknowledged Leah's existence. Rachel's barrenness, at least, brought Jacob to Leah's tent, allowing her to bear children who would bring him prosperity.

Leah's hopes of receiving even a small measure of Jacob's affection did not materialize, as evidenced by her reaction to the birth of her second son:

Then 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 (v. 33).

Leah had perceived no change in Jacob's attitudes or actions; thus, when the second son was born, she recognized the child as the tender response of a loving God who knew the very thoughts of her heart. The name Simeon "one who hears" bore witness to Leah's awareness of her God's grace. With the birth of her third son, Leah’s hope for Jacob’s tenderness and affection was rekindled:

And she conceived again and gave birth to a son, and said, "Now this time my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons”; therefore his name was called Levi (v. 34).

And she conceived again and gave birth to a son, and said, "This time I will praise the Lord”; therefore she called his name Judah; then she ceased bearing (v. 35).

At that moment, Leah realizes that God’s love is better than the love of any man. And she praises God.