Leah, in the Bible book of Genesis, is often thought of as a Bible “character.”  As such, we read about her life in a matter-of-fact sort of way.  We are told that she was “tender-eyed” while her younger sister Rachel was beautiful and very popular.  We are also told that Leah was married to a man who did not love her, and that man, Jacob, was also married (at the same time) to her beautiful sister whom he did love.

Those are some of the basic facts of Leah’s story but the reality is that Leah was a real woman who suffered much heartache and grief as she lived out her situation.  Like most people, I’ve read the accounts concerning Jacob and his two wives many times over the years, in a factual manner.  But as the Spirit moved me, I was touched by Leah’s situation and came to realize that she was a real woman with real feelings and her story is one that many women relate to today and is therefore worth re-examining.

Leah is marginalized during her marriage to Jacob.   Although Jacob is initially angry about having been tricked into marrying Leah, she provides him many sons over the years yet he still does not display any love toward her.  She watches him show love and affection toward Rachel.  The situation causes trouble between the sisters also as jealousy rages between the two of them.

For a lot of years Leah lived under those circumstances.  As life beat her down, Leah called out to God, Who heard her cry.  Leah, who was unwanted and unloved finally had an Advocate.  We still experience some of the pain of rejection that Leah endured, but the good news is that the same God Who loved Leah and worked on her behalf, still loves us and will rescue us!  So for anyone who feels marginalized for any reason, The Leah Factor will grant insight on how God really sees you!