A Rachel-Kind-of Love

“...and indeed he loved Rachel more than Leah.......”
Genesis 29:30

by Marsha Norris

In the love triangle between Jacob, Leah, and Rachel, Leah seemed always to be on the outside looking in. It wasn't that Jacob didn't love Leah, he just loved Rachel more. Knowing she was second on Jacob's priority list surely made Leah feel lonely and rejected. Perhaps she felt the same way GOD feels when we choose someone or something over Him. All He has ever wanted is to be first in our hearts, to share a deep and intimate relationship with us -- much like what Leah wanted from Jacob.

“Thou shalt love the LORD thy GOD with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” --Matt 22:37 38

No doubt if asked, "Do you love GOD?" we would say, "Yes!" But do our actions confirm that love? The question, however, is much more than "Do you love GOD?" Rather, "Do you love GOD first? Do you love GOD more than your family, your friends, your possessions, your job, your pleasures, your own agenda? Or do you only love GOD first when it is convenient? When putting Him first doesn't interfere with your other interests?" Do we bargain with ourselves and say, "He knows I love Him! Therefore, He won't mind if I demote Him to Leah from time to time when someone or something else more alluring comes along. Once I have enjoyed that pleasure, I will promote Him back to Rachel!"

Yet GOD is a jealous GOD who tells us He will not accept second place in our hearts:

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate [love less] his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters yes, even his own life he cannot be My disciple.”
--Luke 14:26

Sometimes it is not family and friends who distract us from loving GOD first, it is material things:

“And a certain ruler asked Him, saying, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’

“And Jesus said unto him, ‘Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, (even) GOD. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and mother.’

“And he said, ‘All these things have I observed from my youth up.’

“And when Jesus heard it, He said unto him, ‘One thing thou lackest yet: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.’

“But when he heard these things, he became exceedingly sorrowful; for he was very rich.” --Luke 18:18 23

Jesus, who could see into this young man’s heart, knew there was a part of his life he could not give up in order to love GOD first. When faced with the ultimatum -- rather than loving GOD first, following Jesus, and being happy -- the ruler chose to keep his wealth, love it first, and went away sad. He loved the things of this world more than he loved GOD. And in doing so, he chose not to spend eternity with GOD.

Man becomes like the GOD/gods he serves, worships, and loves

When GOD in the Old Testament tells us He is a jealous GOD, it is not for some selfish or egotistical reason. It is because He understands the principal that we become like that which we serve. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus warns us:

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve both GOD and money.”

We move in the direction of what most dominates our thoughts. What most dominates our thoughts will be what we treasure most. What we treasure most, will be who or what we love first. (Matt. 6:21)

Again, the question: “Do we love GOD first? More than family, friends, possessions, job, pleasures, our own agenda? Or do we just love GOD first when it is convenient? When putting Him first doesn’t interfere with our other interests? Do we make Him our Rachel? Or our Leah?” The consequences of our choices are eternal.

Choosing to love GOD first brings the greatest fulfillment in life. It enables us to be filled with Him and to find perfect peace. Making GOD our permanent “Rachel” is not a burden, but a joy. It will, however, take a faith and trust willing to surrender to Him completely.

Note: This article was based on Brent Hunter’s lesson, “Loving GOD First.”