THE BIRTH OF PRAISE!

   Genesis 29:31-35 And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. 32And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. 33And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon. 34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi. 35And 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.
The story of Leah
Her beauty
Leah knew that she did not look as good as her little sister Rachel
Whether it was in her face or her figure
She understood that Rachel was more attractive than her
The Bible even declares that Rachel was beautiful
She suffered with feelings of inadequacy
This was reinforced in Leah on the day of her wedding
She was only able to be married to Jacob due to deception
Her Father, Laban was basically saying, “You’ll never be able to get married on your own
Jacob never chose Leah, she was never special to him
Her Marriage
After she was married to Jacob, he worked another seven years to be able to marry Rachel.
He was never content with her.
She could never please or satisfy her husband
She was hated – disfavored
Jacob was indifferent to her
He did not care for her at all
Jacob never failed to express his love for Rachel
The Lord Saw Leah
Leah had a secret pain
She couldn’t find comfort with her husband
She couldn’t find comfort with her sister
She really didn’t have anyone that she could talk to about it
But God saw her pain
God saw the secret hurt in her heart
When no one else knows, God knows
Leah’s Sons
Biblical names
Biblical names mean something
People were named for the circumstances that surrounded their birth.
Leah named the children, Jacob
Reuben
Reuben means – seeing or sight
This is on two levels
First God has seen me and blessed me
Second, now my husband will see me and love me
But nothing changed
Simeon
Simeon means hearing or heard
Again this is on two levels
First God has heard me and blessed me
Second, now my husband will listen to me and acknowledge me
But again nothing changed
Levi
Levi means to be joined or together
This is only on one level
Unlike the other two, God is not even mentioned at the birth of Levi.
I want to be joined to my husband
I want us to be a family
But nothing changed
Judah
Judah means praise
After trying to get Jacob’s attention for all these years
Leah made a decision that this next boy isn’t going to be about Jacob at all.
I’m going to name him Judah, and I’m going to praise the Lord
The Lineage of Praise
The Tribe of Judah
Judah’s descendents became a great tribe in the nation of Israel
Over 1 million people by the time of the Exodus from Egypt
Praise makes the church grow.
When you start praising God, it just has a tendency to grow and become bigger
Because as you lift up Jesus, he draws all men unto him
Judah at the Door
After the Exodus and during the time of wandering in the desert
Israel created the Tabernacle in the Wilderness
Every time that they stopped to make camp, the first thing that went up was the Tabernacle.
The tribe that set up their tents right at the door of the Tabernacle was always Judah
You couldn’t get to the door without going by praise
All the other tribes were looking at the walls, but Judah was looking at the door.
You can’t find your way out of your situation?
It’s time to praise the Lord
Your praise might show someone else the door to the presence of God
David
Was the greatest earthly king that Israel ever had.
He was anointed and chosen by God to be the king of Israel
David was a descendent from the Tribe of Judah
After countless defeats – Israel’s greatest victories came under the rule of David
You can’t get the victory over your enemy?
It’s time to praise the Lord
Your praise can bring you the victory
Walls of Jericho came down
Sis. O’Donell
Paul & Silas released from Prison
From Jerry Jones, death-row inmate – baptized and the chains fell off
Both guards got baptized as well
Jesus Christ
Jesus was born to Joseph and Mary
Joseph was the descendant of David – he was from the Tribe of Judah
Jesus was born in Bethlehem – which is called the city of David
Your praise can bring you salvation
You receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit when you start praising God
Let’s praise the Lord
Those who can praise God
Psalm 115:17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
The only ones that cannot praise the Lord are those that are dead.
If you’ve got life you can praise the Lord
From the Heart
I praise God in my heart, God knows that I praise Him from within
Matthew 12:34 …for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Praise in your heart comes out of your mouth
Praise in your heart comes out in your hands
Praise in your heart comes out in your feet
Praise in your heart comes out in your life
How can we praise the Lord?
Psalm 150:1-6
Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

PRAYER: PRAY FOR THE GARMENT OF PRAISE AND ASK THE LORD TO MAKE YOU A WORSHIPPER IN JESUS NAME.