Youth Worship 5 March 2022 : "Leah was unloved"

Text: Genesis 29:31-35
5 March 2022

 

INTRODUCTION

1. The original plan for Jacob

a. To escape from the wrath of Esau
b. To ensure Jacob does not marry a Canaanite woman
c. To find a wife from the family of Laban

2. The original plan did not work out as planned

a. Jacob was deceived by Laban
b. He ended up with Leah and Rachel as his wives
c. This was not a bonus!

JACOB’S RELATIONSHIP WITH LEAH

1. They were married

2. Leah was “unloved”

a. It was more than a passive thing
b. Jacob was deceived
c. He was resentful
d. The idea of being “unloved” was like being “hated”

GOD’S HAND OF GRACE

1. One of the reasons for marriage
To have children

2. Rachel was barren Genesis 29:31b

3. God opened Leah’s womb Genesis 29:31a

THE CHILDREN OF LEAH

1. The first-born: Reuben Genesis 29:32

a. He was the firstborn
b. Reuben was the name given
c. Meaning: “See, a son”
i) Reu (To see)
ii) Ben (A son)

2. Leah’s thoughts

a. God’s involvement
“The LORD has surely looked on my affliction.” Genesis 29:32a
b. Leah’s hope
“Now therefore, my husband will love me” Genesis 29:32b

3. Second son: Simeon

a. Leah conceived again Genesis 29:33a
b. She still felt “unloved” (“hated”)

4. Leah’s further thoughts

a. God has heard
“Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved” Genesis 29:33b
b. Given
“He has therefore given me this son also” Genesis 29:33c
c. Name
“And she called his name Simeon” Genesis 29:33d
d. Meaning: Heard

5. Third son: Levi

She conceived again and bore a son Genesis 29:34a

6. More thoughts of Leah

a. “Now this time my husband will become
attached to me” Genesis 29:34b
b. Name: Levi Genesis 29:34c
c. Meaning: Attached Genesis 29:34c

7. Fourth son: Judah

And she conceived again and bore a son Genesis 29:35a

8. Some more thoughts of Leah

a. “Now I will praise the LORD” Genesis 29:35b
b. Therefore she called his name Judah Genesis 29:35c

9. Then Leah stopped bearing Genesis 29:35d

MARRIAGE AND CHILDREN

1. Children

a. They are the natural result of marriage
b. They are in answer to prayer
c. They are to be loved
d. They can strengthen marriage bonds

2. The Lord’s Part

a. He can cause a person to be fruitful
b. Children carry great potential within them

3. Parents

a) They must play a big part
b) They must do more than produce children
c) Parents can be a strong and positive factor

CONCLUSION

1. Rachel

a. She was loved
b. But she could not bear children

2. Leah

a. She bore four sons
b. In the hope that her husband would love her

3. Jacob

a. Spiritually, he did not seem to have made much progress
b. He had become a father four times over

4. The LORD

a. He is involved
b. He blesses
c. He waits for Jacob patiently
d. He waits for each person to turn to faith