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Desire to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ?
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Taking the time to pray? Christ is the answer in times of need
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Depending upon the Holy Spirit for all you do?
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How are famous preachers sometimes effected by sin?
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Why didn't Jacob divorce Leah?
- Thread starter MerciG777
- Start date
I'm guessing he's the only one that can answer that question.
Hey All,
Just speculation here, but Leah was probably very easy to talk to. She probably could not compete with Rachel on a physical level. Nobody called her beautiful. She was average or better than average looking. But, next to her sister, nobody noticed her.
Think about someone beautiful today; maybe Jennifer Lopez for example. Nobody can deny that she is beautiful. She is probably 50+ years old now, and is still gorgeous. Her sisters may be beautiful in their own ways, but J Lo got the looks in that family.
Back to Leah:
Leah may have had good conversation skills. My guess is that, even though Jacob was duped into Leah, he grew to love her. Remember also that ten of his twelve children (male children) were from Leah. She could not have been tooo bad.
Keep walking everybody.
May God bless,
Taz
Just speculation here, but Leah was probably very easy to talk to. She probably could not compete with Rachel on a physical level. Nobody called her beautiful. She was average or better than average looking. But, next to her sister, nobody noticed her.
Think about someone beautiful today; maybe Jennifer Lopez for example. Nobody can deny that she is beautiful. She is probably 50+ years old now, and is still gorgeous. Her sisters may be beautiful in their own ways, but J Lo got the looks in that family.
Back to Leah:
Leah may have had good conversation skills. My guess is that, even though Jacob was duped into Leah, he grew to love her. Remember also that ten of his twelve children (male children) were from Leah. She could not have been tooo bad.
Keep walking everybody.
May God bless,
Taz
I guess that unlike our Western idea that treats marriage as a contract (either party up-stakes if supply does not reach demand), Jacob knew that annulling his marriage covenant with her—unintended yet entered into—was not permitted and would have shamed him as disloyal. Had she been sexually disloyal, he probably would have divorced her, but she hadn’t. He had made his bed. Polygamy was not a problem, and for him extended to four wives (two primary; two secondary). Happiness was not deemed a human right. He had a duty of care to her, and that was that. Covenant annulment was based on gross disloyalty.
Christ_empowered
Member
In Malachi one reads that God hates divorce and that the divorce laws given to Moses were largely due to God accommodating the hard hearts of His people. I think 
one might consider the old divorce laws an example of God’s permissive will.
Jacob may have been concerned about pushback if he did divorce Leah, as another poster mentioned. Marriage in that time was more about producing children
…especially healthy male children 
…and accumulating wealth and power vs personal fulfillment etc.
one might consider the old divorce laws an example of God’s permissive will.Jacob may have been concerned about pushback if he did divorce Leah, as another poster mentioned. Marriage in that time was more about producing children
…especially healthy male children …and accumulating wealth and power vs personal fulfillment etc.deepfaithpraise
Member
Cultural and Social Norms: In Jacob’s time, marriage was not only a personal commitment but also a social contract with significant implications for family alliances and social status. Divorcing Leah would have brought shame and dishonor not only to her but also to Jacob and both their families. It would have also strained his relationship with Laban, his father-in-law.
Religious and Moral Obligations: The prevailing moral and religious standards of Jacob’s time placed a high value on family unity and the sanctity of marriage. Jacob may have felt a strong sense of duty to uphold these values, despite his personal feelings toward Leah. Providing for Leah and their children was part of this responsibility.
Love and Duty: Despite his initial preference for Rachel, Jacob did show care and responsibility toward Leah. She bore him six sons and a daughter, Dinah, which indicated that Jacob maintained a relationship with her. While the text suggests that Leah longed for Jacob’s affection, his actions showed a commitment to his family obligations.
God’s Plan: From a theological perspective, Leah’s role was significant in the lineage of Israel. Her children, particularly Judah, played crucial roles in the history of the Israelites. Jacob may have seen his marriage to Leah as part of God’s larger plan, accepting it as his fate and responsibility.
D-D-W
2024 Supporter
That was before the Law was given by well over 400 years. But even then "divorce" needed a legitimate reason. And what had Leah done to deserve being rejected like that?
RBDERRICK
Supporter
He was first and foremost a faithful man of his word and commitments. It's what the Lord saw in him, that the Lord sought to turn to Himself without tricks and schemes.
And to have divorced her for no cause, would have shamed her and caused rebellion from her sons. He may have not been passionate about her, but he certainly had a love and care for her.
This is not from any Scriptural proof, but only by drawing conclusions of his actions. He never showed any animosity to her, but only about being tricked into it.
They no doubt had words in the beginning, and it was decided in the tent.