Our Responses to Blessings: Leah and Rachel and the Naming of the Twelve Tribes

Aug 3, 2025

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Canaan Fellowship

00:00 / 00:40:05

Nathan Hempel explores the complex dynamics between Leah and Rachel, Jacob’s wives, through the naming of their 12 sons. The sermon examines how their responses to blessings—ranging from manipulation to praise—reveal their spiritual struggles and misplaced priorities. Key themes include validation through material blessings, comparison, and the importance of praising God for His gifts.

[00:00] Nathan introduces the sermon’s origin: a repeated phrase, “And God listened to Leah,” led him to study Genesis 29–30.
[00:53] Context: Jacob is tricked into marrying Leah (unloved) before Rachel (beloved but barren), creating familial strife.
[05:35] Reuben (Leah): Leah hopes the son will earn Jacob’s love. Question: Do we seek validation through what we produce?
[08:36] Simeon (Leah): Leah believes God’s blessing proves her right. Question: Do we use blessings to justify ourselves?
[10:01] Levi (Leah): Leah uses sons to manipulate Jacob. Question: Do we join others to us for selfish reasons?
[11:33] Judah (Leah): Leah praises God, shifting focus from Jacob. Lesson: Blessings should point us to God.
[14:21] Dan (Rachel through Bilhah): Rachel claims Bilhah’s son as vindication. Question: Do we use others for personal gain?
[19:11] Naphtali (Rachel through Bilhah): Rachel names him “my wrestling,” highlighting rivalry. Question: Do we compete for status?
[20:23] Gad (Leah through Zilpah): Leah’s “painful fortune” reflects spite. Question: Do we hurt ourselves to “win”?
[23:04] Asher (Leah through Zilpah): Leah calls herself “happy” for outdoing Rachel. Question: Is our joy rooted in comparison?
[25:31] Issachar (Leah): Leah views the son as “wages” for renting Jacob. Lesson: Worldly success ≠ God’s will.
[28:38] Zebulun (Leah): Leah hopes six sons will secure Jacob’s love. Question: Are we fixated on unmet desires?
[30:52] Joseph (Rachel): Rachel trusts God for another son, showing growth.
[32:56] Benjamin (Rachel): Rachel’s dying hope is for her son’s future.