Genesis 29:31-35; 30:1-24 NKJV
31 When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. 32 So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, “The Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me.” 33 Then she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. 34 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. 35 And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing.
God ever works through ways that confound human reason (e.g., not through almighty powers, but weak flesh—not through magnificent means, but via lowly means of word, water, bread and wine—not through ease and utopia, but through tension and suffering). Valerius Herberger (an early Lutheran Father from the 16th and 17th centuries) uncovers this understanding within this text as he writes:
“Now Jacob had two wives; let us see which of these two would receive the honor of becoming Jesus Christ’s ancestor. Leah was ugly, squint-eyed, and wrinkle-cheeked. She was despised by her own sister, her husband, and her own servants. She herself frequently thought God in heaven hated her and was angry with her.”
“Rachel, however, was beautiful, rosy, and young—everyone’s favorite child. Jacob loved her like the apple of his eye. The servants waited on her hand and foot. Everyone supposed that she sat in God’s lap. Jacob himself thought that she must be the Messiah’s ancestor; it was Rachel’s honor by rights. Yet observe, dear heart, on whom was Jesus’ heart set? Which of the two did He choose for His ancestor? It was not beautiful and honored Rachel but ugly and undesirable Leah who would bring Judah, Jesus’ ancestor, into the world. Forsaken Leah thus entered the family of Christ; beautiful Rachel was pushed aside.” (The Great Works of God, parts. III & IV, trans. by M. Carver, pg. 198, CPH)
Herberger goes on to pray in the following way based upon this text, so… Let us pray:
“O Lord, Jesus, how sweet is Your faithful heart! “You help the miserable people, and the haughty eyes You bring down” (Ps. 18:27). You bring down the mighty from their seat and exalt the lowly, as Mary says in her Magnificat [Luke 1:52]. What the world casts off, You exalt. What the world counts trivial, You bring into great honor. Oh, regard my misery and neediness too! Let me also experience this old favor of Yours.” And, thanks to You, I do, through faith in Christ Jesus. Amen.