Learning from Your Hurts Text: Genesis 29:16-19, 26-35
Leah wasn’t much to look at, but God’s hand was upon her and that’s all that matters! She was different, and she knew it. As we read we see that Jacob loved and adore Rachel. Imagine for a moment, being in a house where you are always second place, inferior and not shown much affection! Think for a moment of a time where you knew you weren’t important In-fact, you were in the room with two or more people, but it was as though you were invisible; you weren’t even acknowledged as a human being. Remember the sting and the pain. This was the case with Leah, always playing second best, not having the good looks, the smile, and after a while it’s bound to affect the personality and the outlook, but Leah rouse above this maybe through self-talk or by just knowing she was loved by her God.
I. Vs. 31 When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. (Leah had qualities of heart because she had learned to acknowledge God.)
A. Anything that involves birth will require labor pains and heart ache, but birth is always worth it! (All the ladies say, A-Men!)
B. Matthew 11:12 and from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
C. Jacob had finally met his match Laban. Laban knew that the oldest daughter always was married first, and Jacob in his love or lust forgot about this practice! Regardless, Jacob’s love for Rachel was stronger than his present struggles.
D. Sometimes it’s the present hardships in life that drive us to Jesus!
E. Ps. 61: 1-2 Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer.2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
F. It wasn’t that Rachel was bad, but Leah had a need, and God responds to people in need!
G. Jacob and Leah first had Reuben (See, a Son.) Leah tried to seek love by producing! Second, Leah had Simeon (God hears.) Leah had a third son named, Levi (Companion.) Then she conceived again and his name was Judah (Praise.)
H. So Leah’s testimony became: see a Son, God hears, He’s my companion therefore, I will praise Him!
I. Think about this, from Leah’s offspring came the Ancient of Days! Out of the despised, the second rate and the ugly came the Savior of the world!
J. When you learn from your hurts: 1. Others will be encouraged! 2. You will go to another level. 3. Your faith will increase. 4. Your testimony will become alive.
K. Genesis 30: 1 Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die!”
