Genesis 29:35—“And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.”

Leah’s life was marked by sorrow and disappointment. Though she was Jacob’s first wife, she was not his favourite. Jacob loved Rachel more, and Leah longed for the affection and acceptance she could not receive from her husband. As each of her first three sons was born, her words revealed her hope that Jacob’s heart would finally turn towards her (Gen. 29:32–34). Yet her longing remained unfulfilled.

When her fourth son was born, however, a remarkable change took place. Leah declared, “Now will I praise the LORD”. Instead of focusing on what she lacked, she fixed her eyes on the abundant grace God had shown her. She recognised that every child was the LORD’s gift and responded with grateful worship. She named her son Judah, meaning “praise”, making thanksgiving to God the testimony of her faith.

Leah’s praise was not because all her problems had disappeared. Jacob’s favour had not changed, nor had her difficult circumstances. Rather, God’s grace had changed the direction of her heart. True praise is born not from perfect circumstances but from confidence in the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord.

Leah’s son Judah became the forefather of Israel’s royal tribe, from whom David and, ultimately, the Lord Jesus Christ would come (Matthew 1:2–3). God graciously honoured the woman who was overlooked by men by including her in His redemptive plan.

Believers today are often tempted to measure God’s goodness by what they have not received. Leah teaches us to praise the Lord for His undeserved mercies, trusting that His wise purposes are always better than our deepest desires. A heart that truly knows God’s grace will always find reasons to say, “Now will I praise the LORD”.