PrayerSongs Bible study Lord’s Supper SongContributionAnnouncementsPrayer Having somewhere to go is a HOME Having someone to love is a FAMILY Having both is a BLESSING

Lessons on home and family

Leah’s marriage problem 29:31-35

Genesis 35: Now there were twelve sons of Jacob — 23 the sons of Leah: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, then Simeon and Levi and Judah and Issachar and Zebulun; 24 the sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin; 25 and the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's maid: Dan and Naphtali; 26 and the sons of Zilpah, Leah's maid: Gad and Asher.

Genesis 29: Now the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. 32 Leah conceived and bore a son and named him Reuben, for she said, "Because the Lord has seen my affliction; surely now 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." So she named him 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 he was named Levi.

Genesis 29: Now the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. 32 Leah conceived and bore a son and named him Reuben, for she said, "Because the Lord has seen my affliction; surely now 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." So she named him 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 he was named Levi.

Genesis 29: Now the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. 32 Leah conceived and bore a son and named him Reuben, for she said, "Because the Lord has seen my affliction; surely now 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." So she named him 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 he was named Levi.

Genesis 29: Now the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. 32 Leah conceived and bore a son and named him Reuben, for she said, "Because the Lord has seen my affliction; surely now 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." So she named him 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 he was named Levi.

What was Leah’s marriage problem? Now my husband will love me Can’t refer to physical intimacy: she was having children I am unloved Can’t mean lack of material things: she had clothes, food, lodging Now this time my husband will become attached to me Can’t indicate not legally married: union had God’s approval Physically intimate with, well-provided for, legally attached to but unloved and unattached. How sad---Leah’s first three sons bore names that reflected her unhappy, unfulfilled marriage

One word that describes the God-ordained purpose of marriage? Sex as the years go by this doesn’t have the significance it did at the first Children in time children leave home, begin careers, homes of their own Can two people have a marriage in which they know they are deeply loved and feel attached to their spouse in the absence of these two things?

One word that describes the God-ordained purpose of marriage? Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." Genesis 2:18 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

One word that describes the God-ordained purpose of marriage? Companionship

Companionship There is no greater happiness for a man than approaching a door at the end of a day knowing someone on the other side of that door is waiting for the sound of his footsteps. Ronald Reagan

One word that describes the God-ordained purpose of marriage? Companionship I am the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys. Like a lily among the thorns, so is my darling among the maidens. Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. In his shade I took great delight and sat down, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He has brought me to his banquet hall, and his banner over me is love. Song of Solomon 2:1-4

One word that describes the God-ordained purpose of marriage? Companionship I am the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys. Like a lily among the thorns, so is my darling among the maidens. Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. In his shade I took great delight and sat down, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He has brought me to his banquet hall, and his banner over me is love. Song of Solomon 2:1-4 Protection Happiness Intimate friendship Public acknowledgment

How does God evaluate the state of your marriage, is it a “Leah marriage”? Is there a true love and emotional attachment with your spouse? Is biblical companionship what really describes the relationship with your spouse? Is something missing, as in Leah’s marriage?