Leah: Inner Beauty

“Leah’s eyes were delicate,…” (Genesis 29:17).

Our opinion of beauty is linked to what we perceive as beautiful. But what is authentic beauty? The New Oxford American Dictionary defines beauty as “a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.” Meriam Webster says: “Beauty is the quality or aggregate [sum total] of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit.” It seems that beauty is relative to what’s pleasing or prompts an external stimulus from one of our senses, primarily sight. So then, our opinion is influenced by culture, exposure, and what’s been idealized from childhood. Hold that thought because it’s crucial to our lesson. 

Most of us are visual, but tradition suggests that men are more visual than women. Some never get beyond the limitations of outward appearances and the perception of what they believe is beautiful. My dad defined a beautiful lady as “easy on the eyes.” I recall his remark to my mother when she asked what had captivated his attention, and he motioned to the tall, thin brunette on the corner and said: “She’s easy on the eyes, and I’m enjoying the view.” Of course, my mother, his wife of forty years, was neither tall nor thin by that stage of life. But the truth is this: Dad saw no harm in looking and joyfully admiring the view. He was merely an innocent observer and his looking was no threat to anyone, including my mother. A few years later, my dad died and joined Jesus in his heavenly home. My point is, even in his old age he had an idea of beauty that was uniquely his. He was not alone. Beauty truly is in the eyes of the beholder. Here’s another example. A Kenyan bushman would define beauty as something different from an Ivy League frat boy from Boston. Anyway, you get the general idea. (Pause and answer question #1.)

Jacob had an idea of beauty, too. Note that the term was never associated with his first wife, Leah. Instead, the Bible assigned the description to her younger sister, Rachel, Jacob’s second wife. The only mention of Leah’s appearance is highlighted in the “weakness” of her eyes. That’s it! That’s all we know of her outward appearance. But I can assure you, her inner beauty was radiant, and God used her powerfully to birth a nation. In and of itself, nothing makes a woman more beautiful than motherhood. It’s a gift from God, and as I’ve observed throughout the years, nothing changes our identity more after salvation than becoming a player in God’s creation story!

On that note, Leah birthed six sons, Jacob’s only daughter, Dinah, and two additional sons through her surrogate handmaiden, Zilpah. For no reason other than her strength and fortitude in childbearing, Leah should be considered a dazzling beauty. You may wonder, how significant is beauty in the Bible? Apparently not very. Out of hundreds of women listed in scripture, only six are called out for their physical beauty. From the language, yāpeh denotes outward beauty. Interestingly, only Old Testament women are listed as beautiful. They are Sarah (Sarai), Rebekah, Rachel, Abigail, Bathsheba, and Esther. (Note: No New Testament women are commemorated for their outward appearance.) 

Even though we emphasize, praise, and celebrate pretty people, God doesn’t. Although He uniquely created them, their pleasing appearance was just an added blessing. I suggest that many less attractive saints have done much for the kingdom throughout Christendom. How do I know? Look around you - most of us are ordinary looking folks. Yes, many are attractive, some more than others, but few are drop-dead gorgeous. Let’s face it - the Grace Kellys and Audrey Hepburns of the world are few and far between! That leads us to the point of our lesson - inner beauty. That’s what God sees, and that’s what truly counts!

I’ve already said we have an ideal of beauty, as does God. According to 1 Samuel 16:7, God’s view is very different. When the prophet Samuel examined Jesse’s sons to anoint Israel’s next king, he was impressed with Eliab’s appearance, but God wasn’t. He told Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (Pause and answer question #2.)

. Instead, God looks at the inner beauty; that’s the beauty of one’s heart. God’s standard for beauty is primarily based on our character and inclinations. In 1 Samuel 16:7, “heart” embodies emotions/thoughts, will, intellect, and desires. God was not concerned with Eliab’s physique, his eyes or hair color, or his height or weight. Neither were his warring or leadership skills considered. Pure and simple, God saw that Eliab, although tall and handsome, lacked the “heart” for the job. God’s about the heart of the matter, and from God’s perspective, that’s everything.

And what of Leah’s inner beauty - her heart? It was steadfast and devoted. Although scripture reveals that Rachel was a liar, thief, and closet idolatrous, Leah wasn’t. She was devoted and committed. She served Jacob with true love and faithfulness throughout her life. Nevermind that he loved another and she was not his “bride-choice” or the bride for which he toiled. She was the one that God ordained. To make it known, He filled her womb with babies - sons (the Israeli ideal) - which she seemed to bring forth with ease. Lest we forget, God was birthing a nation through Jacob, not merely bringing babies.

Tragically, Leah’s love was never returned. Even so, there’s much to be said for her devoted heart that God saw! If for no other reason, Leah would love, honor and respect Jacob all her days because it glorified God. Watch this: Submission and obedience are in view and Leah showed both; she got it. Why? Because it was God’s plan, and He used her faithful, submitted heart to guide her life. Ultimately, her heart was a blessing to Jacob, her legacy, her children, her future grandchildren, and to the nation of Israel! Yes! Leah loved after a pattern and type of God and expected nothing in return, even from Jacob. Although she longed for Jacob every day, it seems that pleasing God was enough, and the blessing of nine incredible children.

It's true that Jesus didn’t teach about beauty per se, but His teachings command the attributes of a beautiful heart. They include mercy, forgiveness, righteousness, faithfulness (even in hardship), self-control, loving, giving, serving, and making sacrifices for the greater good. These characteristics describe Leah’s life. Although she missed Jacob’s heart, she didn’t miss God’s. Leah was a significant player in God’s story - one of the beautiful people He used. As far as we can see, she never faltered, even though her life was fraught with longing and unrequited love. Tragically, and even after Rachel’s untimely passing, there is no evidence that Jacob’s love transferred to Leah. Nonetheless, God had the final say and honored her throughout eternity. Leah, not Rachel, is buried next to her beloved Jacob in the cave of the patriarchs in Machpelah in Canaan. 

What’s the takeaway? Only God can shape our hearts and make us beautiful. Therefore, we must yield to Him as He makes us more like Jesus. Ladies, we can talk about submission until we’re fuzzy in the mouth, but only complete surrender will bring the desired results! 

Prayer: Mighty and gracious Lord, help us and heal our hearts. Make us Leahs - faithful, committed, and more beautiful as we yield to you, the author and perfecter of our faith! Amen and amen.