Counterfeit Gods: Part 3 - Love Is Not All You Need: Leah’s Story

Hello All,

Last week we focused on and examined Jacob’s idolatry of Rachel.

Today, we will be looking at Leah’s side of the story.

The part of the poem that we will be emphasizing on today is highlighted in blue.

Counterfeit Gods: Part 3 - Love Is Not All You Need: Leah’s Story

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (9^th June 2013)

Jacob took flight to escape Esau's anger

For he had stolen the birthright of his brother

His mother urged him to flee to Uncle Laban

And stay with him until it was safe to return

Uncle Laban had two young unmarried daughters

Leah was the first child, Rachel was the younger

Jacob loved Rachel for her enthralling beauty

He took no notice of Leah, the unsightly

Laban requested Jacob to name his wages

For shepherding his vast flock of sheep and cattle

Jacob agreed on seven years of hard service

In eager exchange for Rachel's hand in marriage

So Jacob worked tirelessly for seven years

It seemed like a few days for someone he held dear

After those long seven years, Jacob demanded

Laban to give him the bride that he desired

However, Laban gave Jacob Leah instead

Jacob went into Leah on his wedding bed

He did not realize for she was heavily veiled

After too much drinking, his sobriety failed

The next day, he awoke to his greatest nightmare

His uncle's deception was more than he could bear

He demanded Laban for an explanation

To which Laban gave the excuse of tradition

The older child was to wed before the younger

So Laban promised Jacob his younger daughter

After the end of the wedding ceremony

And then another seven years of slavery

Jacob loved poor Leah much lesser than Rachel

So God opened Leah's womb so she was able

To conceive and bear a son whom she named Reuben

'Jacob will love me, God has seen my affliction'

Leah conceived again, her second son was born

In sadness and despair, she named him Simeon

'Because the Lord God has heard that I am hated

He's given me this son for I've been rejected'

She conceived again and bore her third son, Levi

With a glimmer of hope left, she said with a sigh

'Now this time my husband will be attached to me

I've borne him three sons, this might end my misery'

After all her efforts, his love she could not earn

So when she bore her fourth son, she finally learnt

To name him well for there was a change in Leah

'This time I will praise the Lord, his name is Judah'

The Lord Jesus Christ came from the line of Judah

God has brought the Saviour of the world through Leah

Christ loved us so much that he was willing to die

In our place, amazing love how could we deny?

Have you been seeking your ultimate fulfillment

In the approval of someone's love you couldn't earn?

Each day confronts you with the pain of rejection

So look to Christ for comfort in your dejection

Have you been on an endless quest for love divine?

In your futile search, are you hoping that you'll find

Someone to idolize and bring you life's meaning?

Give your heart to Jesus and let him be your King

Points for Reflection:

When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Because the LORD has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. (Genesis 29:31-34)

·         Reuben, Simeon and then Levi. But nothing turned around for poor Leah.

·         You could perhaps sympathize or even empathize with Leah’s predicament.

·         She was the daughter her father never wanted and the wife her husband never wanted.

·         Her father, Laban, deceived Jacob into taking her as his first wife because it was difficult to marry off a daughter who was ugly. Laban took advantage of the desperate and love-sick Jacob. On top of that, Laban obtained an additional seven years of coerced service from Jacob.

·         Leah, the daughter who experienced rejection from her father sought to win the love of her husband through childbearing. The desire for the approval of her husband became an obsession as she tried her very best to please him. The sting of disappointment grew increasingly painful after each childbirth. 

·         Have you experienced the feeling of rejection from someone you love dearly or hold in high regard? It could be your parents whose love, attention and praise were never shown and expressed to you. Perhaps it is a sibling who has grown apart from you and no longer contacts you. Maybe it was a mentor or leader who has let you down. It could be an unrequited love from a spouse, a lover or even a friend whose approval means the world to you. Have your efforts to gain their love and approval become idolatrous?

And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing. (Genesis 29:35)

·         After Leah’s futile attempts to win Jacob’s heart, when she bore her fourth son, Judah, she decided to shift her focus from her husband to her loving God who had been caring for her and blessing her with children.

·         This was a turning point for Leah although she still had a long way to go in casting away her idol. But this was a change of heart and a good start.

·         It takes time for us to let go of our idols, especially if it concerns people we care deeply about. Those human idols have been so tightly sewn onto our hearts over the course of time. We have become so attached and dependent on them that it kills us each time they reject us. But God wants us to remove those stitches, one stitch at a time, not with our own strength but depending on God in earnest prayer and working hand in hand with the Holy Spirit. If you are struggling to let go of someone who has become your idol, why don’t you pray for God to help you to shift your focus to him instead?

The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. (Genesis 49:10)

·         Jesus Christ, the King of kings, descended from the line of King David who was from the tribe of Judah. Jesus is the Messiah, the Anointed King, whom God has promised to Israel a long time ago and he came down from heaven to earth to fulfill what was written about him in the Old Testament.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one [Jesus Christ] who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. (Micah 5:2)

They [the chief priest and scribes] told him [King Herod], “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler [Jesus Christ] who will shepherd my people Israel.’” (Matthew 2:5-6)

·         God chose to bring the Saviour of the world through Leah, not through beautiful Rachel. The Bible describes the church as the bride of Jesus Christ. He is the true and ultimate bridegroom who has never failed to keep his promises to us. When earthly spouses, like Jacob, have fallen short in their love and devotion, Jesus has always been the loving and faithful bridegroom. He went all the way to suffer and die on the cross to redeem unworthy sinners like us so that we can be ushered into the Kingdom of God as his bride.

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb [Jesus Christ] has come, and his Bride [the church] has made herself ready (Revelation 19:7)

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2)

·         The world tells us that human love is all we need to complete us. But many times we are left dissatisfied with the relationships that we seek our ultimate fulfillment in. Stop looking to human relationships for your ultimate fulfillment but turn your eyes to Jesus for his love is really all that you need.

Counterfeit Gods: Part 3 - Love Is Not All You Need: Jacob’s Story

Hello All,

The poem I wrote for the third part of the 'Counterfeit Gods' series, ‘Love is Not All You Need’, is quite long so I am dividing it into two weeks.

We will be looking at Jacob’s story today and then Leah’s story next week.

Counterfeit Gods: Part 3 - Love Is Not All You Need: Jacob’s Story

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (9^th June 2013)

Jacob took flight to escape Esau's anger

For he had stolen the birthright of his brother

His mother urged him to flee to Uncle Laban

And stay with him until it was safe to return

Uncle Laban had two young unmarried daughters

Leah was the first child, Rachel was the younger

Jacob loved Rachel for her enthralling beauty

He took no notice of Leah, the unsightly

Laban requested Jacob to name his wages

For shepherding his vast flock of sheep and cattle

Jacob agreed on seven years of hard service

In eager exchange for Rachel's hand in marriage

So Jacob worked tirelessly for seven years

It seemed like a few days for someone he held dear

After those long seven years, Jacob demanded

Laban to give him the bride that he desired

However, Laban gave Jacob Leah instead

Jacob went into Leah on his wedding bed

He did not realize for she was heavily veiled

After too much drinking, his sobriety failed

The next day, he awoke to his greatest nightmare

His uncle's deception was more than he could bear

He demanded Laban for an explanation

To which Laban gave the excuse of tradition

The older child was to wed before the younger

So Laban promised Jacob his younger daughter

After the end of the wedding ceremony

And then another seven years of slavery

TO BE CONTINUED…

Points for Reflection:

So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. (Genesis 29:20)

·         What would motivate you to give up seven years of wages? If your current monthly salary is MYR 3,000, the accumulated amount after seven years would be MYR 252,000. That is no trivial amount. Especially if your monthly salary exceeds MYR 3,000.

·         You could imagine how smitten Jacob was with Rachel to make that sacrifice.

·         It is not that I am against people displaying acts of sacrificial love for each other. But let us take a closer look at Jacob’s background.

·         After Jacob deceived his father, Isaac, to bless him with the birthright of the firstborn, the anger of his older brother, Esau was kindled against him. Jacob fled from Esau who sought to kill him. As he was on a long journey to his uncle’s place, God in his mercy appeared to assure Jacob of his promises. However, Jacob at that point of time did not know God well and was not committed to him. We are able to tell from the following verses:

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father's house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God (Genesis 28:20-21)

·         Jacob was making a bargain with God. In other words, he was saying: ‘I would only recognize you as my God if you would fulfill my needs.’ In Jacob’s time of uncertainty and fear, it was God who consoled and assured him.

·         With that in mind, do you think Jacob would be willing to forsake seven years of wages for God as he had done for Rachel?

·         Jacob should have loved God more than Rachel but it is obvious to see the person he was more devoted to.

·         Like Jacob, who are the people you idolize and love more than God? Do you know God personally or is he just someone you call out to when you need help or when you feel like it? Turn away from human idols and commit your life to our loving God.

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. (1 John 5:21)

For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9)

And in the morning, behold, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” (Genesis 29:25)  

·         Human idolization always leads us down the spiral whirl of disappointments.

·         Even if you did get the person you wanted, it will always be like getting Leah at the end of the day. You will never be truly satisfied for all of humanity is sinful and unable to bear the burden of your divine expectations.

·         Have you ever felt the weight of devastation when you were unable to get the person you desired? What were the disappointments you felt each time your loved ones did not live up to your expectations?

·         Instead of investing all of your hopes and dreams in a fellow human being, why don’t you surrender the burden of your divine expectations to God who will never forsake you?

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14)

Counterfeit Gods: Part 2 - All You've Ever Wanted

Hello All,

May God continue to reveal the counterfeit gods of your heart in the words of today’s poem.

Counterfeit Gods: Part 2 - All You've Ever Wanted

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (8^th April 2013)

Abraham walked up the mountain with his son

With painful steps he chose to obey God's command

To sacrifice Isaac, the child of God's promise

His beloved treasure he sadly released

Isaac was the morning star of Abraham's life

The long awaited child of his once barren wife

His hopes and dreams were vested in his little boy

Whose very existence brought him much pride and joy

Abraham built an altar and laid some wood there

He bound Isaac and then laid him down with great care

He reached for his knife, drew it and raised it up high

His hands trembled as tears flowed freely from his eyes

But God's angel called out 'Abraham, Abraham!'

So Abraham turned around and said 'Here I am'

'Slay not your son for I know you fear God truly

As you have not withheld your only son from me'

In place of Isaac, the Lord provided a ram

This sacrifice pointed to Christ, the perfect Lamb

Who lovingly paid the penalty for our sins

Now we can find pardon and fulfillment in him

Just as Abraham was willing to sacrifice

His precious only son whom he so highly prized

God the Father withheld not his son, Jesus Christ

Who gave us his all, for our sins he paid the price

What are the things you are holding on tightly to?

Have they become idols which are consuming you?

True satisfaction can be found in Christ alone

Let him instead be your center and cornerstone

Points for Reflection:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son (Hebrews 11:17)

·         Abraham’s act of offering his only son, Isaac as a sacrifice was a picture that pointed forward to the will of God the Father to offer his only Son, Jesus Christ, as a once-and-for-all sacrifice for the sins of mankind.

·         Abraham believed that God would somehow raise Isaac from the dead and although the angel prevented him from slaying his son, the fulfillment of this was seen in the ultimate resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

He [Abraham] considered that God was able even to raise him [Isaac] from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. (Hebrews 11:19)

·         If God was willing to sacrifice his only Son, Jesus Christ, for unworthy sinners like us, should not this knowledge fill our hearts with overflowing joy, gratitude and purpose? However, our sinful hearts are always so prone to wander away from God and seek fulfillment and meaning in some other things.

·         In your heart of hearts, who or what do you yearn for? Is that person or thing all that you have ever wanted in life? How often and how much time does that idol occupy your thoughts and daydreams? How far would you go to obtain it?

·         Do you ever think to yourself ‘If only this person I care so much about would return my affection, my life would be worth living’ or ‘If only this company would offer me my dream job, true happiness will be mine’ or ‘If only I could have eternal beauty and youth, I will be complete’ or ‘If only I could make it rich without a single drop of sweat, life would be mine to enjoy to the full and I would have no need to face the frustrations of my job’?

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14)

·         My friends, the only person who is able to bring true fulfillment is Jesus. The things of this world would only bring short-lived happiness which would never truly quench our thirst for life’s meaning.

·         Come and drink from the everlasting fount of Jesus Christ who is truly all that we actually need. Lay your idols at his feet and as the days go by, may he become all that you have ever wanted.