"This Time, I'll Praise Him" Genesis 29:35

Everything is a Precious Gift

I suppose there is many a little thing in your house that is of no great value in itself, but it was given to you by someone who was very dear to you. How much a child values that Bible that was given to her by her mother, who wrote her name in it! Many a man has, in his house, things that an auctioneer would appraise at a very small amount, but that the owner prizes very highly because they were given to him by someone whom he greatly esteemed, and who gave them to him as a token of his love.In like manner, look at the bread on the table of a believer as a love token from God. The Lord gave it to him. If there were on his table nothing but that bread, it would be a token of God’s gracious condescension in providing for his needs. Let us learn to look in this way at everything that we receive in this life, for such a view of it will sweeten it all. We will not then begin to calculate whether we have as much as others have, or as much as our own whims or wishes might crave, but we will recognize that all we have comes from the hand and heart of our heavenly Father, and that it all comes to us as a token of our Father’s love, and with our Father’s blessing resting on it.

Introduction

We have here the birth of four of Jacob’s sons, all by Leah. Observe, 1. That Leah, who was less beloved, was blessed with children, when Rachel was denied that blessing, v. 31. See how Providence, in dispensing its gifts, observes a proportion, to keep the balance even, setting crosses and comforts one over-against another, that none may be either too much elevated or too much depressed. Rachel wants children, but she is blessed with her husband’s love; Leah wants that, but she is fruitful. Thus it was between Elkana’s two wives (1 Sa. 1:5); for the Lord is wise and righteous. When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, that is, loved less than Rachel, in which sense it is required that we hate father and mother, in comparison with Christ (Lu. 14:26), then the Lord granted her a child, which was a rebuke to Jacob, for making so great a difference between those that he was equally related to,—a check to Rachel, who perhaps insulted over her sister upon that account,—and a comfort to Leah, that she might not be overwhelmed with the contempt put upon her: thus God giveth abundant honour to that which lacked, 1 Co. 12:24. 2. The names she gave her children were expressive of her respectful regards both to God and to her husband. (1.) She appears very ambitious of her husband’s love: she reckoned the want of it her affliction (v. 32); not upbraiding him with it as his fault, nor reproaching him for it, and so making herself uneasy to him, but laying it to heart as her grief, which yet she had reason to bear with the more patience because she herself was consenting to the fraud by which she became his wife; and we may well bear that trouble with patience which we bring upon ourselves by our own sin and folly. She promised herself that the children she bore him would gain her the interest she desired in his affections. She called her first-born Reuben (see a son), with this pleasant thought, Now will my husband love me; and her third son Levi (joined), with this expectation, Now will my husband by joined unto me, v. 34. Mutual affection is both the duty and comfort of that relation; and yoke-fellows should study to recommend themselves to each other, 1 Co. 7:33, 34. (2.) She thankfully acknowledges the kind providence of God in it: The Lord hath looked upon my affliction, v. 32. “The Lord hath heard, that is, taken notice of it, that I was hated (for our afflictions, as they are before God’s eyes, so they have a cry in his ears), he has therefore given me this son.” Note, Whatever we have that contributes either to our support and comfort under our afflictions or to our deliverance from them, God must be owned in it, especially his pity and tender mercy. Her fourth she called Judah (praise), saying, Now will I praise the Lord, v. 35. And this was he of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came.

Jacob, the twin brother of Esau, has worked fourteen years for his uncle Laban to marry Rachel. He’s duped by Laban, then made to work another seven for Rachel, but he works those seven and finally marries Rachel. Verses 31 paints the picture of a divided household where Jacob loved Rachel and according to the Scripture “hated” Leah. The word hated here in verse 31 is the Hebrew word sn, meaning, abhor, detest, loathe, be hostile, have a feeling of open hostility and intense dislike. Hate is a strong word, but Moses penned this word, so it would safe to say that Jacob did not like or love Leah in any way. So, there is definitely a “love/hate” relationship here, but Leah’s refrain speaks volumes to how important it is to thank God in all things.

Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

“She made a timely decision”

Verses 31-34 reveals that God saw Leah’s pain and sorrow at the hands of her husband Jacob, who was “duped” into marrying her based on their custom. Some attribute this as payback for Jacob’s trickery against his brother Esau with their father Isaac, where gained a birthright and blessing through ill gotten means. Jacob works for Laban several years after seeing Rachel, fulfilling his agreement, but ended up with Leah. Jacob did not love Leah, and it let be known as worked another seven years to wed Rachel. Now, he has two wives, one barren and one fertile, thus creating more conflict within both marital relationships. The one he loved was barren while the one he “liked” maybe was fertile. Jacob did not see how his actions affect Leah, but God did and he showed her favor when she felt insignificant. God loves Leah, and opens her womb so she could bear Jacob offspring. She bears Reuben, Simeon, and Levi. In naming her fourth child, Leah departs from her obsession with winning the love of Jacob. Rather, she exalts the Lord at the birth of Judah. The word time here is pa’am, or conduct one’s life, formally, step or footstep, i.e., the patterns of behavior as a figurative extension of a stepping of a foot forward.

“She made a timely declaration”

This verb primarily refers to giving thanks; the majority instances of yādâ in the OT are in Psalms. Like other terms with similar meanings, yādâ is often accompanied by an explanation of the reason for the thanks or praise. The person makes a public confession of the attributes and acts of power of a person; there is a focus on the content of praise spoken out-loud, usually in the context of the community. Also, a person gives an expression of praise for a person, with a particular focus on the subject being engaged in the expression of thanks or praise. Reasons for which people thank (yādâ) God include the birth of Leah’s son (Gen 29:35), the righteous rules of God (Psa 99:3), the righteousness of God (Psa 7:17), the goodness of God (Psa 54:6), and the great and holy name of God (Psa 99:3). The verb can be used in an exhortation inviting people to thank (yādâ) God, as in Psa 97:12: “Be glad in Yahweh, you righteous, and give thanks (yādâ) to his holy name” (see also Psa 30:4; 105:1; 118:29). The intent and act of praise and thanksgiving can also be declared by the worshiper in a statement like that in Psa 86:12: “I will give thanks (yādâ) to you, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and glorify your name forever” (compare Psa 108:3). However, Sheol and the dead cannot praise God (Isa 38:18).

Her fourth she called Judah (praise), saying, Now will I praise the Lord, v. 35. And this was he of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came. Note, [1.] Whatever is the matter of our rejoicing ought to be the matter of our thanksgiving. Fresh favours should quicken us to praise God for former favours. Now will I praise the Lord more and better than I have done. [2.] All our praises must centre in Christ, both as the matter of them and as the Mediator of them. He descended from him whose name was praise, for he is our praise. Is Christ formed in my heart? Now will I praise the Lord.

“She made a decision about her narrative”

Reuben — “Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ge 29:32). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Simeon — “Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ge 29:33). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

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

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ge 29:34). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Judah — “This time I will praise the Lord.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ge 29:35). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.