Leah must have laid awake all night thinking of the moment when her new husband would awaken. She knew that it was not her face he expected to see, but Rachels. Jacob had been a victim of deception, and when he realized that a bait and switch had occurred, he quickly made a new deal with Laban to claim the woman he had been promised (Gen. 29:25-27).
Have you ever felt insignificant or second-best? Leah felt that way. Its seen in the names she chose for her first three sons (vv.31-35). Reuben means See, a Son; Simeon means Heard; and Levi means Attached. Their names were all plays on words that indicated the lack of love she felt from Jacob. With each sons birth, she desperately hoped she would move up in Jacobs affections and earn his love. But slowly Leahs attitude changed, and she named her fourth son Judah, which means Praise (v.35). Though she felt unloved by her husband, perhaps she now realized she was greatly loved by God.
We can never earn Gods love, because its not dependent on what we do. In truth, the Bible tells us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). In Gods eyes, we are worth the best that heaven could offerthe gift of His precious Son.
Read: Genesis 29:16-30
Happy Valentines's Day to you!