Unloved. When you feel like the most important people around you do not really love you, you feel unwanted, unseen, like you have no value. You seek to be loved and valued in any way possible. And maybe it is not the people but your circumstances causing you to feel unseen and of little value. Whatever the case, you do all you can to be seen and worthy of love. This is how Leah found herself.

As Jacob realized the deception after their wedding night, his face said it all. The look would be emblazoned on Leah’s mind for years to come, reminding her she was not loved. She lived in the shadow of her beautiful sister Rachel, who stole Jacob’s heart. Leah could not measure up to Rachel. After his week of obligation to Leah, Jacob married the bride of his choice, Rachel. Even after that, any time Jacob spent with Leah was out of obligation, not love.

Still, Leah had one advantage over Rachel. She was pregnant! God saw to it that Leah was the first sister to bear a child. How she hoped she could present Jacob with a son! Surely then he would love her.

“And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, ‘Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.’ She conceived again and bore a son, and said, ‘Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.’ And she called his name Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, ‘Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.’ Therefore his name was called Levi.” (Genesis 29:32-34)

Yet all of her attempts to win Jacob’s affection through childbirth accomplished nothing. Rachel monopolized Jacob’s heart. It was unlikely Leah’s circumstances would ever change. In the naming of her sons, it was clear to see that Leah knew her place in the household. She was so desperate to be valued by Jacob yet presenting him with sons did nothing to change his heart. What changed was her perspective.

Finding herself pregnant a fourth time, Leah knew a different kind of joy. As this little one stirred in her womb, Leah came to realize the overwhelming love God had showered on her through her whole life. Though no one close saw her, God had. God blessed her with children; the greatest gift received at that time. However, Leah discovered through the gift of her sons the greater gift of God’s love. Though she was not seen and loved by her husband, she was seen and loved by God in a way she could hardly understand. God met her in her circumstances and offered love. Seeing her value through God’s eyes, her heart erupted into unspeakable joy and at his birth, she named her fourth son, Judah.

Judah means “I will praise the Lord.” Rather than seeking value from Jacob, this time Leah chose to praise the Lord. Though she remained second place in Jacob’s heart, she knew she was loved and valued by God. No longer did she need people to make her happy. Joy and praise filled her heart. She was loved by God, and nothing could take that love away. His love was all she needed. God further blessed Leah in establishing the Davidic line through her son, Judah – the line that generations later brought us Jesus, our Savior, to this world.

Maybe you feel lost or unseen in your circumstances. Maybe you feel unloved or abandoned by those around you. The love God had for Leah is the same love He has for you.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. (Jeremiah 31:3)

God’s love for you has existed since before time began. He loved you even before you were known or formed in the womb, and His love will never end. The depth of God’s love you will never fully understand. He displayed His love by the sacrifice of His Son on the cross, yet

God also displays His love with boldness and sometimes quietly throughout your life. To see His love, maybe all you need is a change in perspective.