The story that I want to tell about Leah is a story within a story. Funny how you can live your life in the shadow of someone spectacular and nobody notices who you are BUT GOD! Leah lived all he life in the shadow of her sister and her husband but this story is really about her.
Jacob's Family background
In addition sometimes you wonder if God really knows you, He says that the hairs on our head are numbered and that He knows us but the way we get treated sometimes leads us to wonder.
Let us examine the life of Jacob who was renamed Israel and became the father of the nation that God used as a model for us all. Bear in mind that the account of Jacob's life must have been written by Jacob himself and would reflect his prejudices. Now Abraham had two sons and one was given of promise and became the one through whom God carried on the covenant that He had made with Abraham. That son's name was Isaac. Isaac married a woman Rebekah that was very good to him but there was a problem. She loved one child and He loved the other. God uses who we are to bring about His will and therefore that is just what He did with all of Abraham's seed and God's will was accomplished mostly in spite of them. Isaac had two boys and the dichotomy obviously affected the character of the boys. By nature one was born rough and the other delicate by comparison. One became a mamma's-boy and the other became a he-man and so neither became a Godly man. Another situation for God to perform the miracle of achieving what He wants with what is available. There is nothing spiritual about either of these children, another instance of God saying 'blindfold me and tie both hands behind my back and I will still build what I want'. Let us backtrack a bit.
Up to this point we apparently have an ideal marriage. So what happened? For some reason it seems that Rebekah now thought that she had inside information because it does not say that she shared it with her husband so they could work on it together. Isaac is the one who begged God to help her but some of Laban was still in her and she seemed to have perceived that she could scheme with God and succeed without the aid of Isaac. Remember that Sarah was very beautiful and also a schemer to get what she wanted in Genesis 16:1-3. She did not say if it be God's will but 'the Lord has restrained me', it is His fault, He held me back. Getting back to Isaac and Rebekah, God never said that one would be poor but because of the division created in the family we now have an us-or-them situation arising. Nobody said let us work with God to see how He glorifies Himself in this. Nobody says to the boys let us stand still and see the salvation of the Lord in this Exodus 14:13. God never said that the outcome depended on who Isaac blessed or who got the inheritance. People brought trouble on themselves because they decided what was best for God.
It seems that Esau was a giver and formed a relationship with his father out of sharing the thing that he liked with his father. He loved hunting and would prepare his catch and share it with his father. Isaac thought that it tasted better but only because of the company and the generosity, not because of any flavour that he could detect. The relationship was intimate. Esau did not care about the money but he wanted his father's blessing. Isaac recapitulated the love. Actually Isaac could not tell the difference between goat and game because when he realized he had been tricked he still thought that he had eaten game. He asked "Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me? Moreover, I ate of it before you came, and I blessed him" (Gen. 27:33). That love could have been the source of a lasting family bond but instead it has become the bone on contention between nations.
Jacob's journey begins
Jacob now has to flee. He robbed his brother, deceived his father and now goes back to the grand-master of scheming (Laban) for help. Yeah.., right. On His way there Jacob dreams an unusual dream about stairs going to heaven and the Lord promising to take care of him Genesis 28:10 -15. Now look at Jacob's response.
Verse 21 leaves us in no doubt that Jacob had no personal allegiance to God up to this point. Nothing that he had so far done was for God. Now it is at least conditional, but God was looking out for him.
Jacob journeys on and reaches Haran. He expects to stay until he hears from his mother and then return. Rebekah knows her sons carefree character and expects that Esau is grieving and will soon forget the harm that was done to him and she will retrieve her favourite son but God has other plans. Perhaps she did send word but Jacob found other things to focus on.
God has brought him here for a reason but that is not Jacob's focus. Jacob comes to a well used by the shepherds to water their flock and has some interaction with the shepherds. He has a scheme. He inquires about Laban and when he discovers that he has a daughter that comes to the well he decides to turn on all his charm and see if he can get into the family on a positive note. Instead of going to meet Laban himself he decides to try to get rid of the shepherds and have a one-on-one with the innocent, simple, daughter.
Genesis 29:1-8 (KJV)1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.2 And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth.3 And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place.4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.6 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.7 And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.8 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.
He asks the men why they are hanging around instead of getting on with their work. The men won't budge and soon Jacob sees why. They are hanging around to see Rachel. Jacob has hit the jackpot. The skinny rascal rolls away the stone himself. The stone that the shepherds were waiting to roll away as a group.
Genesis 29:9-12 (KJV)9 And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them.10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.
He then turns on the charm an kisses Rachel. You did not just walk up to girls and kiss them even if they were your cousin. Now Laban finds out that Jacob is there. He would obviously know about Abraham and how rich he was. His grandson would be an heir to a fortune.
Genesis 24:29-33 (KJV)29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.30 And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.31 And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.32 And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him.33 And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.
He put two and two million dollars together and acted accordingly.
Genesis 29:13-17 (KJV)13 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.15 And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.17 Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.
Enter Leah
Laban makes sure that Jacob works for a month free before he discusses wages and even then Laban does not intend to spend a cent. He sees how Jacob is eyeing Rachel and probably knows that he can get some more free labour. When the matter comes up 'by chance' Jacob does not waste any time. In a hurry he proposes marriage. We hear nothing about courtship or Rachel's love for him. He sees something else that he wants and he intends to get it. In those seven years he is not recorded to have asked God for any advice.
Genesis 29:18-22 (KJV)18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.19 And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.21 And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.
Now let me ask you some questions about relationships. Do you think that any woman who loves a man would let her father trick him into sleeping with her sister? Do you think that it is possible that this could have been the custom in the land and only Laban knew? Do you think that it is at all possible that the girl would not find a way to let the man know that something is up? Do you think it possible that only one sister could have known what was going on? Do you think that a sister would sleep with her sister's fiance without the other sister knowing. Could this have been arranged without the collaboration of the sisters? In my opinion Rachel wanted to get rid of Jacob. Leah does not display the character to hatch a scheme such as this. We only hear of one-sided love in this relationship. Laban was in on it and that story about the younger not being allowed to marry before the older is a farce but when seven more free years came up Laban would not tolerate any foolishness from Rachel. Laban was a liar:
Genesis 31:7 (KJV)7 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.
In fact it was not the type of family that typically forced women to marry against their will.
Genesis 24:56-61 (KJV)56 And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.57 And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth.58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.59 And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
Let me ask some more questions. Is it possible to be planning a wedding for seven years and not know the key customs of a wedding? Is It possible that God was not in control and that Jacob was put in a situation to 'accidentally' commit bigamy? Which daughter did God really want Jacob to marry? Which of the other patriarchs had two wives? We are told in verse 17 above, ?Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured?
It does not say that Leah was ugly. It seems that she was shy and bashful and tender and soft. This was intended to be a compliment not ans insult. What struck you about Leah was her tenderness while the most striking thing about Rachel was her looks. Leah lived in the shadow of her sister with her in-your-face beauty. If God wanted to say that she was not attractive he had many other ways of expressing it. He could simply have said that she was not attractive. The other place in the bible that this same word is used is in Job.
Job 41:3 (KJV)3 Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
It is translated as 'soft' here. Does that mean ugly? No it means 'not in-your-face', quiet. It has to do with approachability and calmness. Men have not changed. Sometimes it is obvious to the mature onlooker that the shy one is the most beautiful but she may not be the most attractive or alluring. Rachel was stacked and she does not appear to have made any attempt to hide it. Jacob knew the woman for a month and does not seem to have made any attempt to investigate anything but the superficial. What were her other endearing qualities? When we see the men at the well - the eligible bachelors - they never expected Leah to come with the sheep. Rachel never seemed concerned by the attention. Some women would not like being ogled every day and would ask a sister if she could alternate.
Look at this scripture
1 Peter 3:3-6 (KJV)3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:6 Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
When you look at Sarah and Rebekah we can see them in it. Do you see Rachel? Is Rachel the women you think that God would choose?
What was Rachel like?
Once the honeymoon is over then you have to deal with what is below the surface.
Genesis 30:1-4 (KJV)1 And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.2 And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?3 And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.4 And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her.
If Jacob was so much in tune with God he would have known of his grandparent's mistake in this regard. As for Rachel? Compare Hannah:
1 Samuel 1:1-11 (KJV)1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.4 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
Watch this. In your face!
Genesis 30:7-8 (KJV)7 And Bilhah Rachel's maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son.8 And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.
And then the mysterious mandrakes.
Genesis 30:14-15 (KJV)14 And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes.15 And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes.
Why did she want mandrakes if she was sending someone else to sleep with her husband? According to wikepedia 2013-09-11; The alkaloid chemicals contained in the root include atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine. These chemicals are anticholinergics, hallucinogens, and hypnotics.
It was a narcotic. Because Rachel got pregnant soon after this it is claimed that the drug was a fertility treatment but the Bible says that God had mercy on her - Genesis 30:22.
Mandrakes are also mentioned in the Song of Solomon. It has nothing to do with fertility here either but may be a fragrant stimulant.
Song of Solomon 7:10-8:4 (KJV)10 I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me.11 Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages.12 Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves.13 The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.1 O that thou wert as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! when I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; yea, I should not be despised.2 I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother's house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.3 His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.4 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please.
Now why would anybody steal an idol?
Genesis 31:19 (KJV)19 And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's.
Genesis 31:34-35 (KJV)34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.35 And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.
What was Leah Like?
Now what about your opinion of Leah?
Genesis 29:31-32 (KJV)31 And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.32 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.
She praises God!
Genesis 30:12-13 (KJV)12 And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a second son.13 And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.
She once again includes God, 'blessed' and was happy for Jacob and his children.
Genesis 30:17-18 (KJV)17 And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.18 And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.
Again she praises God.
Genesis 30:19-20 (KJV)19 And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son.20 And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.
God again. She personally gave Jacob half of his children but she lived hated. She did not fight with her sister, she respected and loved her husband in-spite of all.
Notice
Genesis 30:15 (KJV)15 And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes.
Why would Leah say this if she was the one at fault? Would you sell your spouse for this is you loved that person? Why did Rachel not dispute her sister's claim? It seems to me that they had agreed that Jacob would be her husband and then somebody went back on their word.
Now Rachel died.
Genesis 35:16-20 (KJV)16 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.17 And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.20 And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day.
Then Leah also died some time before Jacob but nobody cared to record when. Nobody talks about Leah. It is as though she was not there. Her many children all seem to have taken her for granted too.
Genesis 49:31 (KJV)31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.
We just saw that Rachel died in Genesis 35, so who is Joseph's mother that Jacob is talking about in Genesis 37?
Genesis 37:10 (KJV)10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
The woman who took care of Joseph was Leah. She was his mother. Joseph saw her as his mother. For all that Leah gave to Jacob we never see one kind word. Seven children: six boys and girl. A devoted mother to all despite the hatred and neglect and she continued to be tender eyed. Where did Joseph get his heart from? Why did he not develop the scheming approach to life that we see in both of his biological parents? I believe it is because there was a counteracting influence in his life.
Consider something else. Leah did not live to to go into Egypt so when will she bow down? She will see Joseph in the Kingdom of God!
It does not seem to have ever dawned on Jacob that his life would have been so much better if he had Leah as his only wife. There are really two stories here. One is about people's blindness and the other is about people doing all they can an never being appreciated. All that people say is you are the unfortunate one, but God sees you as tender-eyed.
Christ gave us these comforting words through John.
John 16:33 (KJV)33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Christ tells the Leah's of this world to remain tender eyed because He will usher in another world, where there will obviously be the end of tribulation. We are looking to that world now, a world that Leah probably never knew of.
Jacob could have spared himself years of sorrow. The only one who seems to have listened to Leah is God.
Genesis 30:17 (KJV)17 And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.
Her husband hardly spent any time with her.
Genesis 30:20 (KJV)20 And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.
She loved the man so much and he hardly noticed her. Do you ever feel neglected, abandoned? Have you ever felt that you were giving it your all but nobody cared? Your efforts seem to be getting you nowhere? God listened to Leah. He was aware. The world remembers the beautiful ones, the Sarahs, the Rebekahs and the Rachels but Leah did not produce half of Israel for nothing. God has made a statement. He has spoken by His actions. Seven children, six boys and a girl, half of Israel, the better half, the half that produced Christ, the two should have been one flesh.
Genesis 35:23 (KJV)23 The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:
What can we learn?
To those who can only see when things are in you face God says,
Ephesians 5:15-17 (KJV)15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
To those who have no reputation God says
1 Corinthians 4:4-5 (KJV)4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
When not even you spouse appreciates you now, God will eventually bring your good deeds to light, so remain tender-eyed.
Jacob never appreciated what he had. Even after her death Israel still hurt Leah. He denied his first two children Reuben AND Simeon.
Genesis 48:5-6 (KJV)5 And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.6 And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance.
He could have denied the children of Zilpah or Bilhah. Levi went on to rescue the priesthood of Israel and of course Judah gave the lineage of Christ.
To those who cannot see past the superficial God says,
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (KJV)9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
And this is true even if you are one of the coveted by the world.
Rachel had the good things in this life, but will that be the same in the future? We see the people of this world with their good things. That should not move the Church from serving our spiritual husband. We need to bear fruit, accept the abuse and do good to those who seek to treat us badly. Some have done it for a physical husband and a physical marriage. Can we do it for a spiritual one?
John 6:27 (KJV)27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Revelation 19:7-9 (KJV)7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Jude 1:24 (KJV)24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Revelation 21:3-8 (KJV)3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
What is to become of the Leahs of this world? What is to become of you? The ones who all that people can remember is that he/she was the tender eyed looser? Do you think that Christ remembers her?
Romans 8:35-39 (KJV)35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
She was his great, great ? great grandmother but to look at what people say about her you would never think so. What does He say?
Matthew 5:8-12 (KJV)8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
One of the most beautiful women in the world. So happy Feast all. May the Lord keep us and reward us all.