God Listens
Genesis 30:17, Genesis 21:17, Exodus 2:24
Genesis 30:17 – God listened to Leah.
Leah was not someone who had great faith in God, nor did she do significant work for God. She had a younger sister named Rachel. Leah was not considered pretty like Rachel. Jacob fell in love with Rachel, but first had to serve his uncle; and marry Leah first in order to marry Rachel. Leah was disliked both by her sister and husband. Life was not fair for Leahl. She was mistreated and afflicted, not because of anything she had done to others, but just by life’s circumstances.
God listened to Leah because she was broken hearted, mistreated and ignored. That is why Jesus said at the sermon on Mt. Olive, blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Rachel had a son named Joseph who became the prime minister of Egypt. Rachel’s life seems more successful and significant compared to her sister, Leah. However, later down the line, Jesus was a descendant of Leah. Although at that time, Rachel’s life seemed to carry more value, when we look at history, Leah’s lineage was considerably more significant. .
Genesis 21:17 – God listens to the unheard, mistreated afflicted voice.
God appeared to Hagar and her son who felt hopeless and told them, “I’m listening.” God always listens to the voices of those who are afflicted, neglected and weak. That is his nature. God is a God of grace, compassion and mercy.
Exodus 2:24 – God heard the groaning of the people of Israel.
Although it took 400 years for them to experience changes in life circumstances, God had been listening to them.
In Job, God appears in the first two chapters and again in chapter 38 which is almost the end of the book. Job asked for God’s answers for his sufferings but God was silent to him. However, God’s silence doesn’t mean he isn’t listening.
In our life, we may have a time where we feel we aren’t loved, or we aren’t favored. We may feel insignificant or think I am not pretty, I am invisible. That is not true. God is listening, He listens to those who are broken-hearted. Even if God is silent, He is still listening. Whatever you may be going through, feelings of brokenness or bitterness, feelings that life isn’t fair, know that God is listening. If we think about the God who always listens to the broken hearted, we could find hope, peace, and comfort in our life.
Reflection Questions:
What were your thoughts after hearing this message?
Has there ever been a time where you felt like Leah, Hagar and her son, or the people of Israel?
