“But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and he went in to her. Laban gave his female servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her servant. And in the morning, behold, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, ‘What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?'” — Genesis 29:23-25
His Plan is Greater
The story of Jacob/Rachel/Leah is fascinating. Here is Jacob after being promised his true love Rachel, being deceived into a life of marriage to Leah. He didn’t love her. He didn’t want her. He had no desire for her. He only wanted Rachel. What good can come out of something we don’t want?
If you look at the 12 sons Jacob fathered, Rachel’s firstborn was Joseph. He was special; Jacob loved him and all his brothers were jealous of him. There is no doubt the hand of God was on his son who did many great things. But isn’t it fascinating that the bloodline to Jesus did not come from Joseph, Rachel’s son, but rather from Judah, Leah’s son?
We all have desires on our heart, which we believe will bring us peace and joy. But maybe God has more for us and will often give us the things we didn’t want because those are the things that will wind up leading us to Jesus.
Jacob didn’t want Leah, but she was exactly what he needed to continue the royal line to Jesus. You might be experiencing something right now you may not have wanted or asked for, but it will lead to Jesus. God has a plan for each and every one of us. And although His ways may look confusing or not what we desired, His plan has a purpose greater than anything we can devise.
Don’t despair if you didn’t get what you originally wanted. You just might experience something greater.
Keep pressing.
— Erik Olson, Pass the Rock Ministries founder
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