John Calvin Commentary Genesis 29:32

"And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben. For she said, Because Jehovah hath looked upon my affliction. For now my husband will love me." — Genesis 29:32 (ASV)

She called his name Reuben. Moses relates that Leah was not ungrateful to God. And truly, I do not doubt that the benefits of God were then commonly more appreciated than they are now. For a profane stupor so occupies the minds of nearly all people that, like cattle, they swallow up whatever benefits God, in his kindness, bestows on them.

Further, Leah not only acknowledges God as the author of her fruitfulness but also assigns as a reason that her affliction had been looked upon by the Lord and that a son had been given her who should draw her husband's affection to herself. From this it appears probable that when she saw herself despised, she resorted to prayer, so that she might receive more help from heaven.

For thanksgiving is a proof that persons have previously engaged in prayer, since those who hope for nothing from God, through their indolence, bury in oblivion all the favors he has conferred on them. Therefore, Leah inscribed on the person of her son a memorial by which she might stir herself up to offer praise to God.

This passage also teaches that those who are unjustly despised by people are regarded by the Lord. Hence it affords a singularly profitable consolation to the faithful, who, as experience shows, are for the most part despised in the world. Whenever, therefore, they are treated harshly and contemptuously by people, let them take refuge in this thought, that God will be more favorable to them.

Leah followed the same course regarding her second son; for she gave him a name derived from “hearing,” to remind her that her sighs had been heard by the Lord. From this we conjecture (as I just said before) that when affliction was pressing upon her, she cast her griefs into the bosom of God. She names her third son from “joining,” as if to say that now a new bond is formed, so that she would be more loved by her husband. With her fourth son, she again declares her piety toward God, for she gives him the name of “praise,” as it was granted to her by the special kindness of God. She had, indeed, previously given thanks to the Lord; but as more abundant reason for praise was supplied, she acknowledges frequently, not just once or in a single way, that she has been helped by the favor of God.

CHAPTER 30.