God My Redeemer

Isaiah 54

4“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.You will forget the shame of your youth    and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

5 For your Maker is your husband—the Lord Almighty is his name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;    he is called the God of all the earth. 6 The Lord will call you back    as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—a wife who married young,    only to be rejected,” says your God.

We have many female Bible heroes who have been referenced countless times throughout history—Sarah, Rahab, Deborah, Hannah, Ruth, the woman with the issue of blood, the woman at the well, Priscilla, and the mother of them all, Mary. Yet, we hear less about women like Hagar and Leah. Personally, I feel deeply drawn to these women, not because of what they did but because of who God was to them. Their stories reveal unique aspects of God’s character— His love, compassion, provision, and protection—and the ways He redeems and includes us in His greater story.

Lets start with Leah, she was a pawn caught in a story she didn’t design or desire, her destiny decided by her father who betrothed her to a husband who did not love her. Jacob loved Rachel, Leah’s sister, but as we know, after working several years to marry Rachel, Laban tricked him and gave Leah in marriage instead. Jacob had to work several more years to finally marry Rachel.

Jacob showed no affection for Leah, yet she continued to bear him one son after another. Recently, I found myself wondering why the chosen lineage of Jesus would come from the tribe of Judah, Leah’s son. Judah wasn’t the firstborn or even the second. Then, I came across a commentary that truly blew my mind. For each son Leah had before Judah, the meaning of their names reflected her longing for Jacob’s affection.

• Reuben - Meaning: "See, a son" or "Behold, a son."

  • Reason for the name: Leah said, "It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now" (Genesis 29:32).

  • Significance: This name reflects Leah's hope that her son's birth would finally earn her Jacob’s love.

• Simeon - Meaning: "He has heard."

  • Reason for the name: Leah said, "Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too" (Genesis 29:33).

  • Significance: Leah believed God heard her prayers and blessed her with another son.

• Levi - Meaning: "Joined" or "Attached."

  • Reason for the name: Leah said, "Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons" (Genesis 29:34).

  • Significance: This name expresses Leah's continued hope for a closer bond with Jacob.

    
    

In those times, bearing sons for one’s husband was considered a significant achievement. Leah didn’t choose her marriage; she was placed in a situation she never desired. Still, she tried to make the best of it, hoping to find love in a circumstance she hadn’t chosen. God blessed her with children while Rachel struggled to conceive, yet even this wasn’t enough to earn Jacob’s love. “When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless.” Genesis 29:31

The turning point for Leah came when she shifted her focus from Jacob to the Lord—the true source of her worth, the One who truly saw her, loved her, and cared for her. When Leah gave birth to Judah, his name marked this profound change in her heart.

• Judah - Meaning: "Praise."

  • Reason for the name: Leah said, "This time I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35).

  • Significance: With Judah’s birth, Leah turned her attention away from seeking her husband’s approval and instead praised God.

    
    

This time I will praise the Lord. Wow! We don’t know for certain if this is why Jesus came from the line of Judah, but it feels so fitting, so consistent with God’s character as a Redeemer. What a way to honor Leah! It’s as if God was saying, "I see you, my daughter, and this is how I will bless your bloodline. Jacob may not have valued you, but I do, and I will repay the years you were unloved and unseen."

I love this! Truly, I do. It’s such a beautiful reminder of God’s love, redemption, and His ability to use every part of our story for His glory. It reminds us of the importance of keeping Him at the center of our affection and desires, staying rooted in Him, and praising Him for every good gift. It’s a powerful reminder that nothing on earth can truly satisfy us—He alone is the source of our identity and self-worth. When those who should love us—whether a husband, parent, or child—fail to do so, God remains steadfast. To all the women longing for the affection of a husband in particular, I urge you to turn your eyes to Jesus. His love is unfailing, and He will always redeem and restore.