The Ugly Duckling Glows-Up

Nov. 1

Read: Genesis 29:31-35

The Ugly Duckling

“When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.” (v.31)

Jesus came from the tribe of the ugly girl. He was born in the lineage of the “hated” one… the one whose “eyes were weak” which is an ancient euphemism for being ugly. (We have sayings today like something is “easy on the eyes” or “hard on the eyes” and it means the same thing.) Leah was unimpressive, particularly when placed beside Rachel. She was the victim of her father’s schemes and his taking matters into his own hands. Laban orchestrated a the deception that led to Leah’s marriage with Jacob. Now she lived with the consequences… rejected by her husband.

It is from Leah that both the tribe of Levi and the tribe of Judah are born. The tribe that would one day be the priesthood and have the most access to God’s presence in the Temple (the Levites) came to Jacob through this ugly and hated one. The tribe that would one day bring about King David and eventually Jesus (the tribe of Judah) was from Leah as well. God cares for those who have been rejected, called ugly, and are hated. He has a soft spot for those who have been overlooked and rejected… for those who are the victims… for those who suffer after having been wronged by someone else. (Such as Leah being given deceptively by Laban)

God brought life to Leah’s womb…and would eventually bring the giver of ALL LIFE - Jesus - through the same family line. God chooses to bring life to the world through the “ugly” ones. None of us wants this label… this position… this title. We all reject the idea of being the “ugly ones”. No one likes the idea of being “hated” or “bartered” away. Nevertheless, it happens. We don’t always feel very “pretty” or “attractive”. We experience the disdain of others. We are subject to rejection and being marginalized. As much as we may try to avoid it - we will all have our turn to be in Leah’s position.

God looks out for the “Leahs” of the world. He brings genuine life and blessing directly through them. It is not always easy to realize or accept this truth. Take for instance Leah. Notice the way that Leah names her first three children:

Reuben - “the LORD has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.”

Simeon - “the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.”

Levi - “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.”

She is consumed with her husband Jacob. Her eyes are set are her husband. She acknowledges the Lord’s hand in her pregnancies… but her eyes are still set on Jacob. She has her HOPE tied to Jacobs approval. She longs for his love (Reuben) and fixates on being hated (Simeon). With Levi, she believes that the spiritually significant number three linked to a third son will “attach” Jacob to her. In the end, these son’s do not magically solve Leah’s problem directly.

Something profound happens with her fourth child, Judah. Leah declares he is named Judah because “this time I will praise the Lord”. Judah is the one who brings about praise to God. Jesus will come from Judah and bring us to praise God just the same! It is in the birth of Judah that Leah’s heart shifts away from the fixation on her orientation to Jacob and status alongside Rachel and she embraces the blessings and goodness of the Lord. This marked the end of her child bearing. This is the final stop and/or goal for Leah - resting in God’s provision, blessing, and love. God “opens the womb” of the humble and broken.

God brings beauty and praise out of the ugly. You can’t ignore this theme throughout the scriptures. He brings LIFE from places that are barren. He brings HOPE in the midst of tension. He enables us to PRAISE even when we are experiencing rejection from those around us. The LORD sets us free from slavery t the approval of others. The “ugly” become beautiful. The “hated” experience love. I am trusting that God is doing just that for YOU today. This is part of Jesus’ origin story. This is the story of HIS tribe. You and I are IN CHRIST - and it is our story as well. So here is to being the Ugly Duckling with the big “Glow-Up”! Love you guys. - JDP