01.12.2016 Old Testament: Gen 29.34

To read the Bible in a year, read Genesis 29–30 on January 12, In the year of our Lord 2016

By Don Ruhl

We find life circumstances in the Book of Genesis either difficult to understand or difficult to accept, because we tend to judge other cultures by our culture, which we believe to be the best. Keep this in mind when you read of Leah’s reaction to the birth of her third son,

She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi (Genesis 29.34). 

Do not judge this part of their culture as either right or wrong, for that is simply the way that it was. Unfortunately we have come to see children as an inconvenience, but the descendants of Abraham saw children as a way to increase the family, and ultimately the nation.

Jacob wanted to marry Rachel, not Leah, whom the father of the women had tricked Jacob into marrying. Therefore, Jacob was not attached to Leah as much as he was to Rachel. Yet, Leah wanted her husband to love her, and she hoped that by having given him a third son, he would attach himself to her.