Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Jun 18th, 2013 JUST FOR LADIES – BY CAMILLE STAHL

Today’s Reading – Psalms 9 – 16 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Hebrews 5 – 8; Psalms 86 – 90; Proverbs 18)

Scripture Memorization for June – Verses Supporting an Unlimited Atonement

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Proverbs 3:5 & 6

Read a great article by Pastor Paul Chappell – “Everyday Legacy“

Read the  “0618 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Read a previous post from today’sBible reading  passage – “Does God See?“

A Study Of Women In The Bible

Leah, A Woman Whose Unhappy Marriage Became God’s Blessing To Humanity

And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her. And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid. And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me? And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years. And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also. And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid. And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. (Genesis 29:18-30)

Every young girl dreams of the day she will meet the love of her life and marry him.  Leah’s dreams fell to pieces when she learned that the man she was forced to marry did not love her at all, but rather loved her sister.  Against all hope she lay with her bridegroom dreading the hour of truth, the break of day.  Just as she anticipated, Jacob  ran to his father-in-law in a rage.  Leah no doubt understood Jacob’s sense of betrayal.  She knew she meant nothing to him, even though she cared deeply for him.  There was no turning back now.

And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon. And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi. And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing. (Genesis 29:30-35)

Here we see God giving balance to the unbalanced family.  Rachel was loved but barren, Leah was unloved but brought forth children first.  She named her first son Reuben, which meant “He has seen my affliction.”  Her second son was named Simeon, which meant “the Lord has heard.”  Leah had a close relationship with God, and God blessed her.  She did not become proud when Rachel was childless, but remained humble despite her sister’s envy.

Leah may have been the most unloved woman of the Bible.  Through no fault of her own, she never had her husband’s affection, only his children.  Even her conniving father didn’t care for her. But Leah shows us what God can do, even with a hurting heart. Because of Leah’s dedication to God, she was blessed with having six sons.  One was in the line of Christ.

God can also take our less-then-perfect lives and make them perfect in Him.  We may never get all the human love and attention we’d like, but He’ll always draw us near to His side. Isn’t that where we really want to be anyway?

Never give up – Serve Him!

Thank You

1 John 5:13