As a young mother, I scoured each page, testing the sound of various names from the alphabetized page aloud. Scratching several off my list, I circled a few with potential. Some appealed to me because of their meaning and the rhythmic cadence when paired with our surname. Because names have been significant for thousands of years, I have often wondered why Laban’s wife named her little girl “weary”.

 The Girl Named Weary

An unnamed woman, it is not a stretch to imagine she lived a difficult and unhappy life.

Scripture reveals Laban had an unscrupulous nature marked by a tendency to lie and swindle. More than that, he later traded his daughters in exchange for another man’s labor. With limited rights and no protection, perhaps Laban’s wife whispered a word over her baby’s tiny frame as she cradled her newborn.

I’m so weary. Lord, if you’re there, rescue me. Rescue my daughter.

Some spoke of the Hebrew God as if He heard them. Perhaps Yahweh would see her tears. Hear the desperate pleas from a weary woman. Oh, she wanted more for this child.

When the handmaid swaddled the babe, a slight smile curved the new mother’s lips as she responded to the question, “What’s her name?”

“Meet Leah—my girl ‘weary’.”

 

 What We Learn from the Woman Named Weary

Weary of Being Less Than

Escaping a vengeful brother, Jacob sought shelter at the home of his equally duplicitous uncle.  There, he fell in love with his cousin Rachel and offered seven years of his life in exchange for Rachel’s hand. 

Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her. Now it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her.   So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?”

 … So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also.  Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah.  When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. (Genesis 29:21, 29:23, 29:25, 29:28b, 29:30-31 NKJV

The word interpreted unloved in the verse above means detested. Leah was more than unloved. She was detested.

Though used as a pawn by her father, despised by her husband, and resented by her sister, God loved the woman named weary.  Rather than being less than, she is listed in the lineage of Christ.

Have you ever felt less than, friend? Less faithful as a Christian? Less equipped as a mother? Less beautiful? Less able?

Christ views us through the lens of the cross and, as believers, our names—though not included in the Old or New Testaments—are recorded in the Lamb’s book of life.

 

Weary of Being Unloved

Rachel won the family’s unofficial beauty pageant, “Leah had tender eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.” (Genesis 29:17 NKJV)

Since her youth, Leah had lived in Rachel’s shadow, and now the man she loved only considered her worth a glance if he desired a child. Despite a disastrous marriage and shattered sibling relationship, Leah praised God.

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. (Genesis 29:32 NKJV)

Can you hear the raw cry of the woman’s heart?

Love me, my husband. Love me, daddy. Does someone love me?

Leah was weary of being unloved. But, oh, how God loved her.  He looked down on the weariness of unloved Leah and placed love in her arms hold.

Do you know the pain of feeling unloved? Of longing for arms to wrap around you once more? If you know the heartache of abandonment—parental, spouse, or child—you can relate to Leah.

Maybe you have not experienced the feeling of a child in your arms, but He has you in His and the Father “delights over you with singing”. (Zechariah 3:17) You are loved.

 

Weary of All the Things

 As God blessed Leah with full arms, hope filled her heart. Perhaps Jacob would respond would with affection. In Genesis 29:34 (NKJV) we read her poignant words, “This time my husband will become attached to me because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi.

When my husband was haze gray and underway, I longed for the sound of his voice or a single email. My heart quickened at the trill of the phone and then when emptiness droned on at the last goodbye, emotional weariness threatened depression.

Leah spoke of depression when she mentioned affliction, but her heart filled with gratitude, and she recognized the gifts He provided.

^“And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah. (Genesis 29:35 NKJV)

Even in our physical, emotional, or spiritual fatigue, we can take time to notice the good gifts He gives us and praise Him. God inhabits the praise of his people (Psalm 22:3), drawing near to us when we “offer a sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15).

 

Books I Recommend to Help With Weariness

 

Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengston

Beautiful Warrior: Finding Victory Over Lies Formed Against You Author Tina https://tammykennington.com/beautiful-warrior-book-review/

Dayvotions With Your Faithful Father: 90 Days With the One Who Wants to Meet All Your Needs by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

God is My Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Hidden Manna on a Country Road: Seeing God’s Daily Provision All Around Us by Sarah Geringer

Hope Amid the Pain: Hanging on to Positive Expectations When Battling Chronic Pain and Illness by Leslie L. McKee

Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Michelle Nietert and Denise Pass

Sacred Rest: Recover Your LIfe, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity by Sandra Dalton Smith

Shame Off You: From Hiding to Healing by Denise Pass

You Are Not Alone: Six Affirmations from a Loving God by Elisa Morgan

 

What have you learned about weariness from Leah’s story? Are there other books I should add to this list?

 

Peace and grace,

Tammy

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