Rebekah, a woman of great faith. How many of us would leave home forever to marry a man we had never seen or met, not to mention draw water for his camels. While she was unable to bear children the first twenty years of her married life, when she did have children, she played favorites. Here are some questions to ponder regarding the life of Rebekah:
From Genesis 24:12-27
1. What does the first information about young Rebekah tell you abouther looks and her character?
From Genesis 24:28-58
2. Three simple words (24:58) changed Rebekah's life forever. Who was she like in her willingness to go where she had never been before?
From Genesis 24:67; 25:28
3. These are some of the swweetest words about marriage found in the Bible. In your own words, describe what you think Isaac and Rebekah's marriage was like in these early days.
From Genesis 27: 1-28:9
4. Why do you think Rebekah resorted to trickery to gain the promise given to her when she was pregnant?
5. The story of Rebekah is rich and colorful. In one sentence summarize what you would like to learn from her life.
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3 comments:
This is just my opinion, but I think that anytime you show favortism with your children, your marriage is bound to have problems. I don't think Isaac and Rebekah had a perfect marriage. Who does? Their marriage was arranged, so therefore they had to get to know one another while already being married, I am sure they bumped heads along the way.
In this beautiful yet symbolic story of the life of Rebekah, we find out many wonderful things about God's will to use choiced people for His purpose. I say that this is a beautiful story for many reasons; God specifically sought out Rebekah to fulfill his promise regarding Abraham's seed, the irony in similarity of both women, Sarah and Rebekah were fair in youthful beauty but humble, both showed respect for God, both were willing to move (act) with haste upon demand without question, both were barren, and ultimately they brought on dismay and sorrow for losing faith in God's promise regarding their children.
Like us all, at some point, we have doubted and found ourselves tampering with the will and plan of God. Here we have an example of the power and pursuasion used by a woman in a negative form bringing misery and great sorrow in her own life and all those she held dear. One bad choice causing a lifetime misery. I think we all can even relate to Rebekah.
Several key facts; the bible states Esau first sold his "birth right" to Jacob for bread and pottage when he came from the fields faint and hungry; Abraham's servant spoke in his heart (silence) when he prayed to God. Therefore, Rebekah did not hear him. This was a part of God's plan Gen. 24:45, Rebekah was given a choice by her family to tarry for at least 10 days or to leave with the servant and his men with haste. Clearly Rebekah chose to leave everything she new and loved behind without question Gen.24:55-58.
God's promise to Rebekah was after Isaac's prayer to bare 2 nations in her belly. The younger would rule over over the elder. That was clearly God's plan and there was nothing anyone could do to prevent this. Like some even today, Rebekah chose to use bribery and deception to ensure the child of her choice would receive the blessing. I believe, because Esau sold his birth right earlier on in the story was just cause for God to allow the younger to rule the elder. Why would anyone trade their God given, honory birth right for food? This leads me to believe, God ultimately aloud this to take place because clearly Esau saw no honor in having the blessing of a first born's "birth right." It was done. God's word is not spoken with void! Rebekah didn't need to tamper with God's plan.
Little did she know it would be the last time she would see the child she favored alive again.
The beauty was that she was able to bring comfort to Isaac as he mourned the loss of his mother and was blessed with a God fearing wife, and children to love. Abraham was blessed to witness this along with the reunion of the 2 brothers before dying in a good old age.
Sis. Miriam Patterson
Rebekah was a physically beautiful woman and she had a humble spirit. She was a comfort to her husband. I strive to be that for my husband. When he's had a stressful day at work, I want him to find a refuge in my arms. I thought it was beautiful that Rebekah helped Isaac endure the pain of losing his mother.
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