So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban for another seven years. (Genesis 29:30 ESV)
Second Best
From Leah’s perspective, this is one of the saddest verses in the Old Testament. Jacob loved Rachel more than Jacob loved Leah. And it was an obvious and well-known fact, so much so, that the fact ended up in the Bible.
We can criticize Jacob for his decision to marry two women. We can criticize Jacob for loving one wife more than he loved the other. We can pity Leah for her situation.
But we can also note with joy that while Jacob was apparently unable to truly, unconditionally love, Jesus does love us that way.
He has more than two recipients of love, yet Jesus loves His beloved unconditionally, sacrificially, and without comparison.
Jesus does not love some sinners more than others.
And so, we are never second best.
Leah needed to be loved by Jacob, but Jacob did not love her correctly.
We need to be loved, and we ARE loved by our savior.