The Change in a Sister's Heart, Part II

Yesterday, Part I

Leah reached for a basket of wool, and began to work it through her hands, pulling out the leaves and dirt the sheep had left behind.  She thought of her life, and how she had desperately hoped that she would become acceptable in her husband’s eyes.  With the birth of each son, she had begged God to open Jacob’s eyes to her value as a wife.  As she plucked a seed from the soft, gray wool, she remembered holding her son Judah, wrapped in a gray blanket.  Even then, fresh from what must be the terrible experience of birth, her son had stared at her with quiet solemnity.  Watching him today, she still saw that same look on his face.  As she had gazed upon the infant, God had spoken to her.  “Look upon this child.  I know that you desire the love of your husband, but in that pain, do not forget to look at this child.  Through this child, I will bless the world with a love greater than anyone has ever seen.  I cannot make Abraham love you, but I love you – you are precious in my sight.”

She had named her son Judah, which means, “I will praise the Lord.”  Every time she looked upon him, she remembered God’s promise and reassurance.

Throughout her life, she had clutched the knowledge of God’s love close to her heart.  It had protected her from the hatred that had been growing there.  Each encounter with her sister, each evidence of Jacob’s love of Rachel, had been a new hurt, but God’s love had kept those stabbing moments from growing into something more.  She had been grateful for that, but she had kept that love to herself, like a precious gem, hoarded away.

Today she had stood with her family, afraid for their lives, and witnessed something different.  Today she had seen Esau run to greet his brother – the same brother who had deceived him, who had stolen from him, and who had left home out of fear for his life.  He had embraced Jacob, and welcomed him back.   She had been amazed, and she still couldn’t believe what she had seen.  To embrace her sister, after all that lay between them.  Impossible.  Esau must be stronger than she could ever be.

She sat and stared at her sister, the fire between them, and knew that she could never love her.

Tomorrow, Part III (Click hyperlink for final part of story)