The 4 Sons of Leah...

Bishop T.D. Jakes has a sermon called 'Commitment'... absolutely phenomenal! I didn't get to finish it because I was so take aback by his first 5 minutes of preaching it! I am going to try my best to re-share the blessing!

Leah, Jacobs first wife whom He did not love, desperately wanted Him to notice her. To love her as much as He loved Rachael, her sister. The background is this: Jacob fell in love with Rachael the moment He saw her... Promised to work/labour 7 years for her hand in marriage but at the 7 year mark, He was tricked and given Leah. He finally did receive His gift of Rachael, but at the price of another 7 years and 2 wives later.

Bishop stated it this way, because God saw the favor of Rachael and the dislike or hatred of Leah, He allowed Leah to come from her Barren physical state and opened her womb.

Genesis 29
Child 1: Rueben- "It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now
Child 2: Simeon- "Maybe my husband will care now..." (Paraphrased)
Child 3: Levi- "Maybe my husband will attach to me now that I have given him 3 sons."
Child 4: Judah- "This time I will praise the Lord"

 Why I find this passage to be of much value? I see myself in Leah... I come from a very long line of trying to get attention..

Attention Grabber #1- Manipulation
Attention Grabber #2- Sex
Attention Grabber #3- Control
Attention Grabber #4- Artificial suicide attempt
Attention Grabber #5- Lies

      And the list goes on and on and on! Did many of those attention grabbers stop after I entered into a relationship with Christ, NO? The sex yes, the suicidal attempts yes.. but the things that went deeper than the surface, the things that weren't caught by the naked eyed, they still have to be brought under subjection of the Holy Spirit.
      Paul says it so great in Galatians... If I were still trying to please man, I would be displeasing God! I would be living a life against Him rather than for Him! They would be my God... Wow! I know exactly how Leah felt...
     But O the joy that quenches my soul every moment the Lord says to me "Come, lay upon my bosom. Rest in me......... I will fill you and you will want nothing more!" No one else can give me that satisfaction! No best friend, no significant other, husband, family..... Nothing! So it took the 4th child for me to also Praise the Lord!