I learned the story of Rachel and Leah as a kid, because it’s entertaining, even a bit crass (the exact story that kids immediately memorize, of course). It’s full of disappointment, betrayal, sex, scandal—basically an HBO television drama from a few thousand years ago. But I always thought it was just a crazy story about a bizarre love triangle. Recently, though, I’ve come to see the gospel in Leah’s story.
Leah, you see, isn’t Jacob’s first choice. Jacob is head over heels for Leah’s little sister Rachel, because Rachel is “beautiful in form and appearance” (Gen. 29:17). Jacob doesn’t really love Leah. And yet God decides to use Leah, not Rachel, to continue the line of the Messiah. Jacob picked Rachel, but God chose Leah.
That’s good news for those of us who identify with Leah. Maybe you’re not everyone’s “first choice.” It could be, like Leah, that you think you aren’t beautiful enough. Or you don’t think you’re smart enough. Or valuable enough. Or moral enough. Maybe you just think you’ve made too many mistakes for you to matter to anyone.
Leah’s story teaches you something about God’s love that can set you free: God doesn’t love you because you’re beautiful; you’re beautiful because he loves you.
I have three daughters. Often, as I’m saying goodnight to them, I’ll ask, “Does daddy love you because you’re pretty?” And they’ll say, “No, that’s not why.” “That’s right—though you are pretty. Well, does daddy love you because you’re smart?” “No.” “Right again—though you are smart. Hmm…is it because you’re nice?” “No!” We go on like this for a while until they finally say, “Dad! You love us because we’re your daughters!”
That’s God’s love toward you and me. We have a heavenly Father who set his love on us—not because we had earned it, but because he delights in us as sons and daughters.
I remember when my oldest daughter walked for the first time. My wife and I rushed for the camera, and tried to capture those couple hobbling steps. We were sending video to family, friends, neighbors. We were telling strangers about it, for crying out loud. Now, were those first steps actually impressive? Objectively speaking, not really. But every dad I know is proud when his kid takes her first steps. We don’t criticize our kids for not doing it right. We gush over them.
That’s God’s love toward you and me. He doesn’t shake his head in disappointment. He says, “Look! Look! She’s walking!” You may be stumbling around like a fool, but he says, “That’s my kid, and she’s growing. I’m proud of her.” When you understand God’s love like that, it changes everything.
So for those of you who feel ugly, God says: I don’t love you because you’re beautiful; you’re beautiful because I love you. To those who feel worthless, God says: I don’t love you because you’re valuable; you’re valuable because I love you. To those who feel weak: I don’t love you because you’re strong; you’ll become strong through my love for you. To those who feel ashamed and dirty: I don’t love you because you’re pure; my love purifies you.
As Martin Luther said, “The love of God does not find, but rather creates, that which is pleasing to it.”
So when you feel like a Leah, rejected by the world, remember that for those of us who are in Christ, God has set his love on you unconditionally. And one day, he’ll make your outside match the beauty of Christ that he’s put on the inside. As the Apostle John said, “We are God’s children … and we know that one day when he appears we will be like him” (1 John 3:2). In other words, God’s not done with you! When we finally see him face to face, he’ll transform us in an instant. And the beauty that will be revealed then will put to shame any earthly beauty we can imagine.
For more, be sure to listen to the entire message here.
