Cheryl McGrath, 28th October, 2000

In April this year I heard the Lord speak quite clearly into my spirit: "Leah's week is over." Though I asked for more understanding, the Lord chose not to elaborate at that time. I have since returned to meditate on that word a number of times and sought the Lord for greater insight, but it was not until now that I received the following from Him.

In Genesis 29:16-30 we read: "Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah's eyes were delicate, yet Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. Now Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter." And Laban said "It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me." So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her." And Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast. Now it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob, and he went in to her. ...So it came to pass in the morning that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?" And Laban said, "It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Fulfil her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years." Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also. ... Then Jacob went into Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years."

We notice that Leah was the oldest daughter and had "delicate" eyes (Hebrew"rak", implies "weak, fainthearted"). Rachel, on the other hand, was "beautiful of form and appearance" (Hebrew "yapheh", implies "fairest one, bright"; and "toar", implies "clearly outlined and defined", meaning she stood out). Both Leah and Rachel speak of the church , as she has been, and as she will be. Leah was unable to see clearly; it seems she was shortsighted or vision impaired. It is likely that her life would therefore
have been largely confined to "tent duties"; that is, she would of necessity have been restricted in her movements and usefulness, staying within the confines her limited vision allowed. The name "Leah" means "to tire, grieve or make weary". Rachel, however, was a shepherdess ((Gen 29:9) spending her days out in the fields tending her father's sheep. The name "Rachel" means "ewe", which is the feminine form of sheep.

Jacob loved and desired Rachel with all his heart and it was Rachel who he asked for in marriage. However, the double-minded and manipulative Laban (see also Genesis 24:50-56) deceitfully substituted Leah for Rachel at the last moment. Remember, it was evening, and the bride would have been veiled. It is probable that there had also been much feasting and partying. In the morning Jacob found he had not been given the bride he desired, but her older sister. When he confronted Laban about his deceit, Laban offered his culture's tradition as his only excuse. The traditions of man had taken precedence over the covenant he had made with Jacob. It was necessary for Jacob then to "fulfil her (Leah's) week" as it was the custom for the bride and groom to participate in a week of festivities together before returning to normal life. Laban told Jacob when Leah's week was fulfilled, he would then give him Rachel in marriage also.

The Lord is making it clear that the days of the Leah church have been fulfilled and we are now entering "Rachel's bridal week". As I have been seeking Him further, I received the following vision and word:

Firstly I was shown a group of people - five in all, both men and women. They were gathered around a bride, dressed in the traditional white gown and veil we are used to in the western world. She looked very beautiful from a distance, and I noticed she kept very still as those attending her turned her round and round, remarking on her, adjusting her clothing, embellishing her gown, inspecting her and speaking among themselves excitedly about what else they could do for her. They were all talking excitedly over each other about what each one was going to do to make her look even more beautiful for the King when He came. One would be concentrating on her feet and shoes, another on her hair and veil, another one on her gown, and others on what she would be carrying in her hands. I then noticed Jesus, standing to the left of them at a small distance, watching patiently. They seemed unaware of His close proximity as they were totally taken up with the bride.

I then looked at the bride's face more intently, and to my surprise, saw that she was nothing more than a store mannequin. She was unable to move, speak or take any part in the preparations, even though she was being dressed in what appeared to be very beautiful clothing. She could not contribute to the proceedings, because she was made of plastic. Putting it bluntly, she was not the real thing!

I was still pondering this scene when my attention was diverted to the shadows behind the "plastic" bride and her attendants. I noticed at the same time Jesus also looked away from the scene, and began looking intently at the same place. Then I saw emerge from the shadows a young girl, dressed in the style of a simple Biblical s shepherdess. She was barefooted, youthful and light on her feet. Her head was covered with a turban, covering her hair, but her eyes were clear and deep. Her face glowed with a beautiful bronze suntan, indeed it was easy to tell she had spent much time in the fields. She carried the rod of a shepherd. As I watched, she slowly, almost unsure at first, approached Jesus where He stood, fixing her gaze upon Him. Then bowing low, she humbly began kissing His feet.

I waited to see what would happen. I understood this was the true bride, and remember asking the Lord very quietly, if He would show me His bride as He saw her. I then saw the Lord bend down, taking her hands and raising her up. As He did so, she was transformed into a most beautiful young woman dressed in a loose-flowing gown bedecked with jewels and threaded through with pure gold. On her head was a gold crown, and on her feet were golden sandals made from thong-like straps which were secured up to her knees. These strap-like sandals did not in any way enclose her feet, but simply protected them from the ground, leaving her feet free and uncovered except for the thin straps. Her long, thick hair fell free and flowing under her golden crown, which in itself was light and did not take away at all from her beauty. In fact, everything about her spoke of freedom.

The most striking thing about her, however, were her eyes, because they flashed with fire and light as she looked upon Jesus. I then realised the fire I saw in her eyes was not her own, but merely a reflection from His own eyes which were also now flashing with an even stronger fire than I saw in hers.

I began to feel thankful that Jesus was giving me a glimpse of His Bride, and started to express my thanks to Him. It was then my attention was drawn back to the Lord Himself. I don't really know if I can convey properly what it was that I saw in Him at that point , but it filled me with what I can only describe as shock. Because I saw that He was totally consumed with her. His total devotion and desire for her were tangible, and the longing emanating from Him as He looked upon her filled the atmosphere. He seemed unable to turn His eyes away from her, and I had the most distinct sense that in some way I can't describe, He was actually melting. I do not mean that in any irreverent way at all, but I really can't find another word that comes close to describing what I was seeing and sensing. I was deeply awe struck, almost embarrassed by the Lord's complete enthralment with her. I can only say that at that moment I became aware as I never have been before, that there is nothing and no-one in all of creation, in heaven, earth, or below the earth, that can in any way overcome the Lamb - except the unwavering gaze of His Bride when she fixes her eyes on Him and Him alone.

I was only permitted to look upon this scene for a short moment, and for that I was grateful. The intensity of it was hard to bear, and I felt I wanted to look away. I was then taken back to the first scene with the mannequin and the group who had been preparing her. I saw that at last the five attendants were turning and looking upon the bride who had emerged while they were so busy. As they began to comprehend who she was, they each stopped their activities and their chatter, laying down the different tools and ornaments they had in their hands. As they looked on the bride who had emerged from the shadows, they seemed confused, disorientated and shocked. That's where the vision ended. The Lord then gave me the following word for His Body:

"There are those among you who I have called as eunuchs that you may serve and honour My bride in these coming days. You are the apostles, the prophets, the teachers, pastors and evangelists. I have appointed and called you to clothe her, instruct her and equip her. Be aware, that which I have appointed to you is a servanthood of the highest order and responsibility. For to you it is given to know My bride, touching her only with holy hands. You have heard it said "touch not my anointed." Indeed, many have uttered these words with no understanding or concept of that which they were saying. But now I say unto you: Touch not My anointed one with unholy hands! For the anointed one I speak of is My bride, and I charge you, servants who I have commissioned to this task, to guard your hearts and guard your ways with My bride. Do not fall into the ways of your fathers and brothers who failed to understand this calling and became too familiar with My bride, taking her as their own.

She is not to be manipulated and handled as if she was your own, for she is Mine, says the Lord. Did you think I would choose those with unclean hands and impure motives to prepare My bride? Did you not know that those to whom I assigned this great honour would be tried and purified in my fiery furnace until all traces of fleshly motives and spiritual lust were purged from them? So be mindful, my children, my chosen servants, that though you are called to serve the bride, it is the Bridegroom who has called you and appointed you. Love My bride only through your love for Me, and in that way shall your love remain holy and pure towards her.

And I say to those who have overstepped the mark and become over familiar with My bride, failing to discern her through My Eyes: Hands off! Touch not My anointed! Turn now and let me cleanse your hearts and your hands that you may serve and equip My bride with the holiness she deserves and I require. Did you think I would suffer her to be pulled this way and that, held captive and subject to the weaknesses and lusts of man until the end? Did you think I would allow your traditions to over-ride my covenant with her forever? But no, those days come swiftly to an end, and out of My love for you I extend to you a warning and a cry to turn, repent and allow Me to cleanse and heal you. Then you will be prepared to join the company of those I have called to equip My bride to stand and conquer in these last days. My word to you is a word to awaken you. Let it be understood that though you serve the bride, it is the Bridegroom to whom you will give account.

Behold My bride! Is she not as passionate for my touch as Rebekah was, who responded to the voice of My Spirit in Eliezer with total abandonment, forsaking all comfort and false security to be with her bridegroom? Is she not as faithful as Queen Esther, who knew and understood the time for which she was born, and whose obedience to the voice of My Spirit in Mordecai brought salvation to her people? Is she not as fearless as Jael, who through My Spirit knew the appointed time and appointed weapon to bring the final blow to Sisera, the fleeing enemy of my people? And yes, is she not as beautiful as Rachel, the shepherdess, caring for My sheep with tenderness and affection, knowing each one by name?

Behold My bride! If you would see My bride, look into My Word, and you will find her there. All those who would look upon her, will see My reflection and My image in her. Now I will call her forth, now I will awaken her love. For now is the time, and henceforth you will see her leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hilltops at My side. For surely Leah's week is over! Let Rachel's week begin."

Scripture References:
"He permitted no-one to do them wrong; yes He rebuked kings for their sakes, saying "Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm." Psalm 105:14

"You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you. Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon; look from the top of Amana, from the top of Senir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards, you have ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse, you have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes, with one link of your necklace. How fair is your love, My sister, my spouse! How much better than wine is your love, and the scent of your perfumes than all spices!" Song of Solomon:4:7-10

"Listen O daughter; consider and incline your ear; forget your own people also, and your father's house, So the King will greatly desire your beauty; Because He is your Lord, worship Him. And the daughter of Tyre will come with a gift, the rich among the people will seek your favour. The royal daughter is all glorious within the palace, her clothing is woven with gold. She shall be brought to the King in robes of many colours, the virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to You. With gladness and rejoicing they shall be brought, they shall enter the King's palace." Psalm 45:10-15

And I will breathe upon you a holy, cleansing fire that will purge you of all that is not Mine in you. You are about to know what it is to fear the Lord, not that you will be afraid of Me, but that you will truly know Me in my holiness and absolute authority. It is time for Me to reveal Myself to My children as the Lion of Judah. So listen now! Lift up your ears for My roar, My little ones, and be not afraid, but be careful! I call you to holiness!"

A Lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy? Amos 3:8

The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. Proverbs 19:12

And what shall I behold, My children, when I lift My Eyes and fasten them now upon My Bride? Ah, for there is a sigh of sorrow in My soul even now. Have I not refreshed you with the wells of abundant life, have I not sent to you gifts and treasures from My storehouse, have I not released to you the great Servant, My Spirit, to lead and comfort you on your journey? But still you tarry, My Bride, still you hesitate in the arms of comfort and familiarity.

For I would have you as Rebekah, my beautiful one, who hastened to Isaac without delay. I would have you to have a heart of abandonment to Me that does not hold back, that cries out to Me with the words "Yes, I will go." (Gen. 24:58). I would have you lift your eyes to me, Your Bridegroom (Gen. 24:64). And yes, I would even have you lay down your own identity in total surrender, choosing no other Name but Mine, the Name of Your Bridegroom.

Understand this is a choice I lay down before you, My Bride. As the choice was Rebekah's, so I give it to you. I will not force you, for the Bride I am looking for comes to Me not reluctantly, clothed in the garments of rebellion, but in joy, abandonment and anticipation of My love. Not in a sulky childishness, but in the innocent and pure child-likeness of trust in Me and faith in My character.

And so I am lifting My eyes, for the evening is upon us, my Beloved. But the choice belongs to you. Will you abandon yourself to Me, will you willingly leave behind all you have known and loved, and follow Me to a new place, a place you have yet to enter? Are you willing to pay whatever it will cost you?

For this is the day of your choice, Rebekah, My Bride, and I say to you that it is now or not at all. Come away, My Bride, come away to Me. Hear the call of My heart, now, this day, do not hesitate any longer, for the evening is upon us, and I must turn to the right or to the left. (Gen. 24:49) Come to Me!"