Leah’s Children

The realization that the two wives of Jacob represent the two brides found in the Bible, Israel and the Church, has caused me to review my thoughts on many subjects. In the last lesson, it was shown that Rachel represents the Lord’s first love, Israel; and Leah represents the Church, the Bride of Christ. In thinking of the seven children of Leah, I noticed the statements she made when the children were born. It also presents an interesting picture.

Here are the six sons born and the attendant statements made by Leah:

The Church is largely non-Jewish, or Gentile, and before the Lord Jesus came we, as Gentiles, had no hope. The first two statements reflect that lack of hope. “The Lord has looked on my affliction.” “The Lord has heard that I was hated.”

Then the Lord Jesus came in fulfillment of prophecy to confirm the New Covenant. He chose us to be His bride. The next two statements show the hope that we Gentiles gained by His actions. “This time will my husband be joined to me.” “Now I will praise the Lord.”

And as we go through our lives, growing in our walk with the Lord, we realize the truth of the last two statements made by Leah. “God has rewarded me.” “God has given me a precious gift.” Praise His name! He had indeed rewarded us and given us the precious gift of eternal life!

Leah had one more child, a girl. She named her Dinah. Leah made no recorded statement at the birth of Dinah, but the Hebrew/Chaldee scholar Gesenius tells us the meaning of her name. Dinah means “judged (past tense), that is, acquitted or vindicated. As Christians, covered by the atoning blood of the Lord Jesus, our judgment is past. We have been acquitted. We have been vindicated. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) There is no more judgment for our sins. Again, praise the Lord for our Salvation!

Rachel and Leah keep on giving us pictures or foreshadows of the Lord’s great plan. This plan was in existence before Creation. The Lord included us from the beginning. He said, “I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation (a people) that was not called by my name.” (Isaiah 65:1) The Lord deserves all honor and praise, forever and always!

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