Leah’s Boys (Reuben, Simeon, Levi & Judah)
Good day, Royal Ones!
This is a follow-up to the last post about Levi and Judah (click here to read). It’s an introduction to a train of thought developing in me for several months. As with other “series” of entries, these posts will be layered truths.
Line upon the line, I believe Holy Spirit wants to REFINE & truly define TRIBAL IDENTITIES so we function according to His intention…and with optimal efficiency and results.
Levi is Jacob’s third son. His mother is Leah, the unloved and unwanted one. But God opened her womb and made her fruitful. Get familiar with the graphic below — it’ll help us along the way. And, it’s just good to know all of Jacob’s sons…thus, all the names of Israel’s tribes.
The foundation to our layers of understanding is LEAH’S REJECTION. She named each son for her condition in Jacob’s family and desperate prayer to God for his love. Birthing sons increased her honor and value, so she declared through the names of these first four sons that she was guaranteed Jacob’s love and affection.
REUBEN
And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. Genesis 29:32
Leah said, “God sees my affliction and rewards me with a son. Jacob will love me now.”
SIMEON
And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon. Genesis 29:33
Leah said, “God sees how Jacob hated me and rewards me with a son.”
LEVI
And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi. Genesis 29:34
Leah said, “After three sons, Jacob will want to attach himself to me and be my companion.”
JUDAH
And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing. Genesis 29:35
Leah said, “Four sons! I will praise God now because my position in this family as the first wife and mother of all sons makes me worthy.”
This train of thought began with a leading to study out Judah’s life to understand our human frailties and limited understanding when we hear “Judah means praise!” in our local churches. Knowing the nature of Judah the man, and how Judah the tribe fared, then the nation…we see better how praise is more than the simple declaration. We see how praise is not the sole “key,” but our weakness in praise leads us to self-awareness and God-consciousness.
Then, the idea expanded after a dream I believe I saw for the church. We’ll introduce the dream and take a closer look at Levi in the next entry.
Selah, and love to all.
Blogs I Follow
The Bereans' Commentary with Shaunta D. Scroggins, Ed.D. 