Rebekah

 

Genesis 24

We are all familiar with the story of Abraham and Sarah and how in their old age they were blessed with their son, Isaac.  We know about the test that Abraham went through when God told Abraham to present Isaac as a sacrifice, and that in the end, God provided a ram for the sacrifice because of Abraham’s obedience.

 

In Genesis 24, we learn that Abraham was much older and advanced in years and the Lord had blessed him in every way.  At this time, Abraham called his chief servant in his household and made him swear that he would go and find a wife for Isaac.  But not just any woman would suffice.  Abraham made him swear that he wouldn’t get a wife from the Canaanites, but that he would go back to Abraham’s home, and choose a wife from among his relatives.  The servant questioned Abraham…He said “what if the woman is unwilling to come back with me? Shall I then take Isaac back to this land?”  But Abraham said “no, make sure you do not take Isaac back there”. He said “The Lord, the God of heaven, who brought me out of my father’s household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying “To your offspring I will give this land” – He will send His angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there. If the woman is unwilling to come back with you, then you will be released from his oath of mine.” So the chief servant swore to Abraham that he would do what he was asked. 

 

So the servant took ten of his master’s camels and left, also taking with him all kinds of good things from his master and departed on his way.  And when he had made his way to the town of Nahor, he had the camels kneel down near the water source outside the town.  It was toward evening time, which was the time when the women would go out to draw water. Then he prayed “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today and show kindness to my master Abraham.  See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water.  May it be that when I say to a girl, “Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,” and she says, “Drink, and I’ll water your camels too” – let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac.  By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”

 

Before he had even finished praying, Rebekah came into view with her jar on her shoulder.  And she just happened to be the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor.  The girl was very beautiful, a virgin. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again.  The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.”  “Drink, my lord” she said and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.  After she had given him a drink, she said “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking”.  So she emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all ten of his camels.  Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful.

 

He asked “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?”  She answered him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milcah bore to Nahor”, and she added, “We have plenty of straw and fodder, as well as room for you to spend the night.”  Then the chief servant bowed down and worshiped the Lord, saying “Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master.  As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.” 

RECAP - When the chief servant knelt down and prayed, he said “Lord, let it be that the young woman to whom I say “Please let down your jar that I may drink,” and she says Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink” – let her be the one you have appointed for Your servant Isaac.  And by this I will know you have shown kindness to my master.” 

 

The chief servant stood back and watched her as she watered all of the camels.  He wasn’t just watching her walk back and forth from the trough to the spring…He was observing her.  Verse 21 says “without saying a word, he watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful”. 

 

I believe he was reading her attitude.  Had Rebekah moped back and forth from the trough to the camels with an attitude of not really wanting to take the time to water a strange man and his ten camels…had she huffed and puffed…maybe rolled her eyes…maybe griped or made a snide comment like “Did you really need ten camels…good grief”… Possibly just being hospitable because it was what was expected of her. 

 

But Rebekah didn’t do that.  Verse 19 says that after the chief servant had drank his fill, she QUICKLY emptied her jar into the trough and RAN back to the spring to get more water for the camels…and she did that until the camels had also drank their fill. 

 

1.    Rebekah had a servant’s heart.

 

It’s easy to know when someone is doing something, or providing a service with a true servant’s heart or if they are simply going through the motions because it is what they think is expected of them.  I’m sure some (or all) of you can relate to this with your children.  There are times I ask one of the boys to start a load of laundry… Not always…but sometimes… I may get “why do I have to…and then there’s some huffing and puffing involved…maybe “accidently” dropping the laundry basket and a little muttering under his breath about how unfair it is that I’ve asked him to start a load of clothes.

 

And then there’s times when their servant’s heart really shines. For instance, when there is a dinner here at the church…or it’s a rainy Sunday…or there is candy to be thrown in a parade and it’s like 100 degrees outside…you’ll never hear a complaint.  You can see the pure joy on their faces while they are serving others.  Who cares if they might be the last one in line to get food…or their feet will be soaked from running back and forth with an umbrella helping others get into church dry…or that the sweat is literally pouring down their faces and they are hot and tired and their feet must be aching because they’ve walked from the football field all the way downtown and back… they act as if they couldn’t imagine anywhere else they’d rather be than serving this church and this community.

 

I believe that’s what the chief servant was looking for.  He was standing silently watching her serve not just him…but all 10 of his dirty, stinky camels…not just a little bit of water…but it said she RAN back and forth until each had drank it’s fill.  That was quite a bit of work…and to top it off, it was at the end of the day…Rebekah had probably been working in or at her home all day and now some stranger was asking for her to serve water… 

 

The chief servant had asked God for a sign to indicate which girl God has chosen.  Watering camels would be hard work.  Any young woman who would volunteer to do this would be demonstrating humility, helpfulness and willingness to serve.

 

The chief servant didn’t ask her to water his camels…..he asked for a drink for himself… 

 

a)    But Rebekah saw a need and she served.

 

In the secular world, having a true servant’s heart is referred to as giving 5 star customer service.  

·      Number ONE – service with a smile

·      The customer is always right

·      Anticipate the need before it is verbalized

·      Don’t make excuses – instead say “I’m sorry, but I’m here now, what can I do to help you now?”

 

If we were honest with ourselves, How many times would you guess that you saw a need…you recognized something needed to be done…and you ignored it because it was an inconvenience to you.  Unfortunately I have.  Rebekah put herself through a lot of hard work for no apparent gain. 

 

b)   She was a woman of godly character. Something of great worth in God’s sight. 

 

1 Peter 3:3-4

          Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.  Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

 

As women and men of God, the greatest investment we can make in our lives is that of godly character.  People are watching you whether you realize it or not…whether you proclaim to be a Christian or not…people are watching…but especially if you have proclaimed to be a Christian.  You’d be surprised how many and who is actually watching you… 

 

And just throwing this out there…

 

c)    people can see through fake…

  

Later in Genesis 24 it tells us that the chief servant told Rebekah’s family all that had transpired…how Abraham had sent him to find a wife for Isaac from the place he was from where his relatives lived and how he had prayed for the right young woman to say the words he had prayed for her to say and that Rebekah had done all of that.  We read that Rebekah’s father, after hearing the whole story, answered the chief servant and said “This is from the Lord, we can say nothing to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; taker her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son and the Lord has directed.”  And when the chief servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before the Lord.  Then the servant brought out gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother.  Then they had supper and spent the night there.

 

When they got up the next morning, he said, “Send me on my way to my master”.  But Rebekah’s brother and mother replied, “Let the girl remain with us ten days or so; then you may go”.  But he said to them, “Do not detain me, now that the Lord has granted success to my journey, Send me on my way so I may go to my master”.  Then they said “Let’s call the girl and ask her about it.”  So they called Rebekah and asked her, “will you go with this man?”   “I WILL GO” she said.  So the chief servant and Rebekah went on their way.

 

2.    Rebekah was brave.

 

Rebekah was given a choice in the matter.  She made the decision to GO.

To go to a foreign land,

 

with a strange man…

 

to marry a stranger…all knowing she may never see her family again.   How many of us would CHOOSE to marry someone we had never met?  Can you imagine never knowing your future spouse until your wedding? 

 

a)    Rebekah made a tough decision.  Three simple words… “I will go”… 

 

I take every opportunity I can to use my parents as an example when submission and obedience is discussed.  I’m so proud of them and the work they are doing for the Lord.  I was not surprised when they sat me and David down (and my sister) and told us they were seeking the approval to become AG World Missionaries.  I know it surprised a lot of other people because we kept getting the same questions…”Are they really going”..”What in the world”…”What about all the grandboys?”  But my parents heard The Call…and they answered obediently…   No it hasn’t been easy…they were actually denied once because of their age… there have been many obstacles…cancer being one of them…but they have stayed on path, and followed His leading until He directs their path elsewhere.  They answered “I will…”  Answering God’s call for them was saying “yes” to His direction…no matter if it is for only one term…two or three terms…or more.  At this point we do not know how long they will be on the mission field.  All we know is that they are following God one step at a time.

 

What is your “I will”?  What is God calling you to do…Where is He calling you to go?  Sometimes I think we get the idea that if we say to God “I will go”, He’s going to send us to a foreign country.  Rarely is that actually the case…  

 

I think sometimes we get ourselves all worked up and scared to fully submit to God because we are afraid of what He wants us to do… or where He wants us to go…

 

I think sometimes we let our minds run with many different scenarios of what exactly our “call” will entail.  But the fact is we may only have one piece of the puzzle and it’s a 500 piece puzzle. There’s no way of knowing what the end result will be from only seeing one piece.  We also have no idea of knowing when we may get the next piece of the puzzle…we should take one step forward at a time and wait for the next piece to be given to us.

 

b)   God truly just wants us to be obedient.  

 

Don’t worry…

 

c)    He WONT use you if you don’t want to be used.  

 

He uses willing vessles…willing hearts.

 

 

 

3.    Rebekah was beautiful in both appearance and in spirit.

 

Genesis 24:16 says: The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her.

 

In verse 63 we read the Isaac went out into a field to meditate and when he looked up he saw the camels approaching.  Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac.  She got down from her camel and asked the chief servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?”  The servant replied “He is my master,” The servant told Isaac all he had done.  Isaac then took Rebekah into his mother’s tent and took her as his wife and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. 

 

It had been almost two full chapters since Sarah’s passing, so we can assume that Isaac had been carrying the pain of losing his mother with him for quite some time.  But Rebekah was able to comfort him, soothe his pain, and create a supportive foundation for their marriage. 

 

So we know…

 

a) Rebekah to also be caring and comforting. 

 

What an amazing young woman she must have been. To have all of these good qualities…a servant’s heart, brave, she wasn’t afraid of hard work, she was a nurturer, a comforter AND beautiful.

 

No doubt…. When the chief servant had questioned Abraham “what if I find a girl but she won’t come back” and Abraham answered saying “The Lord will go before you”… God did indeed provide.

 

4.    But life wasn’t peachy.

 

Rebekah was barren for 20 years.  We learn in chapter 25:21 that “Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren”.  In this way, God emphasizes the spiritual principle that having a relationship with him and fulfilling his purposes do not happen through natural means, but through God’s supernatural action.  God chooses to grant his promises and blessings in response to prayer and faith.

 

Rebekah outshines her mother-in-law, Sarah at this particular point in her life.  We know that Sarah took matters into her own hands and brought one of her servants (Hagar) to Abraham so that he could have the children that she had been unable to conceive.  And we all know the trouble that came with that poor decision.  Rebekah waited…

 

So, Isaac prayed to God for his wife, and God heard the prayer and request, and Rebekah became pregnant.

 

5.    Rebekah received a revelation directly from God.

 

The pregnancy was not an easy one, however, Rebekah was pregnant with twins, and they wrestled within her, causing her to inquire with the Lord why this is happening.

 

Genesis 25:23

God responds: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be separated; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”

 

Rebekah did indeed have twins, and the younger Jacob, is born clasping the foot of the older,
Esau.   It was as if Jacob was vying for first place.  The competition between the two brothers had already begun.

 

6.    Rebekah favored Jacob. 

 

Genesis 25: 27-28: The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents.  Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

 

I would like to think that Rebekah loved both of her children equally. However we just read that Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob.  I can’t imagine only loving one of my children…or even loving one more than the other.

 

I remember the day before I was scheduled to be induced to deliver Jake.  I was at home alone with Cy…he was 2 years old…and my mom called to check on me, knowing that I was preparing to give birth.  I remember breaking down into tears on the phone with her…I remember the emotions going through me that day…I was so afraid that I wouldn’t love Jake as much as I loved Cy.  Cy was our world.  He was the one that made us momma and daddy.  He was it…How in the world was I supposed to love him less so that I could love another baby…AND I remember my mom telling me that there would always be equal love for both of them and that I wouldn’t love Cy any less…and I would just have more love to give…how right she was…

 

I’m believe the reason Rebekah loved Jacob more was not just because of his personality, but was because of the promise that God gave her while she was pregnant. 

 

a)    She knew Jacob was destined for great things…

b)   She allowed that knowledge steer her into an unhealthy example and relationship to her children and husband.

 

7.    Rebekah lost faith.

 

In Genesis 27, we learn that Isaac was much older and had gone blind.  He called for his firstborn, Esau, and told him to get his weapons, and go out to hunt.  He told Esau to prepare a meal for him just the way he liked it so that he may feast and then give his blessing to Esau.  Rebecca overheard Isaac speaking to Esau and her lack of faith in God to fulfill his promise moved her to deceive her husband and provide a poor example to her children.  She called for Jacob and told him to go out and bring in two of the best goats, so that she could prepare a meal just the way Isaac liked it so that Jacob could receive the blessing.  Jacob questioned her…he said but what if my father touches me or smells me…he will surely know that I am not Esau.  Rebekah responded to him “let the curse fall on me”…just do what I say.

 

As the story goes, we know that Jacob was indeed successful in Rebekah’s plan to deceive Isaac and received the blessing.

 

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

 

Sometimes it’s so tempting to try to manipulate things ourselves rather than waiting on the Lord.  We think we know what is best or what will benefit us most.  Sometimes when we are in a bind…or in a spiritual “waiting room”, we start to panic and begin to move pieces of our puzzle to suit us and to relieve pressure.  But we should WAIT. 

 

a)    Waiting isn’t easy. 

 

Waiting is very much a hard thing to do, and if you’ve ever had to wait on something…truly wait on something, you know what I’m talking about.

 

God gave Rebekah a promise…surely God Almighty speaking directly to her would mean something to her…would prove to her that he had a PLAN…yet,

 

b)   Rebekah panicked when she saw that Esau was about to receive the blessing…which led her to sin…to deceive her husband, and teach her son to deceive his father. 

 

Rebekah lacked the faith in God to fulfill HIS own promise.

 

How sad…and what a slap in the face that must feel like.  We seek God…we pray and we ask for things…beg for things…and then He gives us a promise and we don’t even trust Him to fulfill that promise.  We don’t trust Him enough to WAIT.  The answer isn’t always “no”…sometimes its just “wait”.

 

If God gives you a promise, HE WILL DELIVER.

 

I wonder how things would have played out, had Rebekah waited on the Lord. The story could have gone 100 different ways.  One thing I DO know…in the end, Esau would have still served Jacob, just as God said.  The nation of Jacob would have still been stronger, just like God said.

 

8.    There are always consequences.

 

When Esau found out about what his mother and Jacob had done, he became very angry.  Genesis 27:41 says that Esau held a grudge against Jacob…even said that after he had mourned his father’s death, he would kill Jacob.

 

a)    Again, Rebekah panicked…

 

and sent Jacob away to live with relatives to protect him from Esau.

  And the consequences…

 

b)   She never saw her beloved Jacob again.

 

I don’t know…but I imagine what an awful feeling Rebekah must have felt…the remorse she may have felt realizing that her actions caused bitterness between her sons and her between she and Isaac.  Maybe she beat herself up wishing she would have waited on the Lord to fulfill His plan, His way.

 

Knowing how I have been inpatient before…and how realizing after the fact, if I had only waited a little longer, God would have worked my situation out far better than I could have ever imagined. 

 

If I had only waited on the Lord.

 

 

Rebekah

 

Genesis 24

 

We are all familiar with the story of Abraham and Sarah and how in their old age they were blessed with their son, Isaac.  We know about the test that Abraham went through when God told Abraham to present Isaac as a sacrifice, and that in the end, God provided a ram for the sacrifice because of Abraham’s obedience.

 

In Genesis 24, we learn that Abraham was much older and advanced in years and the Lord had blessed him in every way.  At this time, Abraham called his chief servant in his household and made him swear that he would go and find a wife for Isaac.  But not just any woman would suffice.  Abraham made him swear that he wouldn’t get a wife from the Canaanites, but that he would go back to Abraham’s home, and choose a wife from among his relatives.  The servant questioned Abraham…He said “what if the woman is unwilling to come back with me? Shall I then take Isaac back to this land?”  But Abraham said “no, make sure you do not take Isaac back there”. He said “The Lord, the God of heaven, who brought me out of my father’s household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying “To your offspring I will give this land” – He will send His angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there. If the woman is unwilling to come back with you, then you will be released from his oath of mine.” So the chief servant swore to Abraham that he would do what he was asked. 

 

So the servant took ten of his master’s camels and left, also taking with him all kinds of good things from his master and departed on his way.  And when he had made his way to the town of Nahor, he had the camels kneel down near the water source outside the town.  It was toward evening time, which was the time when the women would go out to draw water. Then he prayed “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today and show kindness to my master Abraham.  See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water.  May it be that when I say to a girl, “Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,” and she says, “Drink, and I’ll water your camels too” – let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac.  By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”

 

Before he had even finished praying, Rebekah came into view with her jar on her shoulder.  And she just happened to be the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor.  The girl was very beautiful, a virgin. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again.  The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.”  “Drink, my lord” she said and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.  After she had given him a drink, she said “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking”.  So she emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all ten of his camels.  Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful.

 

He asked “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?”  She answered him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milcah bore to Nahor”, and she added, “We have plenty of straw and fodder, as well as room for you to spend the night.”  Then the chief servant bowed down and worshiped the Lord, saying “Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master.  As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.” 

RECAP - When the chief servant knelt down and prayed, he said “Lord, let it be that the young woman to whom I say “Please let down your jar that I may drink,” and she says Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink” – let her be the one you have appointed for Your servant Isaac.  And by this I will know you have shown kindness to my master.” 

 

The chief servant stood back and watched her as she watered all of the camels.  He wasn’t just watching her walk back and forth from the trough to the spring…He was observing her.  Verse 21 says “without saying a word, he watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful”. 

 

I believe he was reading her attitude.  Had Rebekah moped back and forth from the trough to the camels with an attitude of not really wanting to take the time to water a strange man and his ten camels…had she huffed and puffed…maybe rolled her eyes…maybe griped or made a snide comment like “Did you really need ten camels…good grief”… Possibly just being hospitable because it was what was expected of her. 

 

But Rebekah didn’t do that.  Verse 19 says that after the chief servant had drank his fill, she QUICKLY emptied her jar into the trough and RAN back to the spring to get more water for the camels…and she did that until the camels had also drank their fill. 

 

1.    Rebekah had a servant’s heart.

 

It’s easy to know when someone is doing something, or providing a service with a true servant’s heart or if they are simply going through the motions because it is what they think is expected of them.  I’m sure some (or all) of you can relate to this with your children.  There are times I ask one of the boys to start a load of laundry… Not always…but sometimes… I may get “why do I have to…and then there’s some huffing and puffing involved…maybe “accidently” dropping the laundry basket and a little muttering under his breath about how unfair it is that I’ve asked him to start a load of clothes.

 

And then there’s times when their servant’s heart really shines. For instance, when there is a dinner here at the church…or it’s a rainy Sunday…or there is candy to be thrown in a parade and it’s like 100 degrees outside…you’ll never hear a complaint.  You can see the pure joy on their faces while they are serving others.  Who cares if they might be the last one in line to get food…or their feet will be soaked from running back and forth with an umbrella helping others get into church dry…or that the sweat is literally pouring down their faces and they are hot and tired and their feet must be aching because they’ve walked from the football field all the way downtown and back… they act as if they couldn’t imagine anywhere else they’d rather be than serving this church and this community.

 

I believe that’s what the chief servant was looking for.  He was standing silently watching her serve not just him…but all 10 of his dirty, stinky camels…not just a little bit of water…but it said she RAN back and forth until each had drank it’s fill.  That was quite a bit of work…and to top it off, it was at the end of the day…Rebekah had probably been working in or at her home all day and now some stranger was asking for her to serve water… 

 

The chief servant had asked God for a sign to indicate which girl God has chosen.  Watering camels would be hard work.  Any young woman who would volunteer to do this would be demonstrating humility, helpfulness and willingness to serve.

 

The chief servant didn’t ask her to water his camels…..he asked for a drink for himself… 

 

a)    But Rebekah saw a need and she served.

 

In the secular world, having a true servant’s heart is referred to as giving 5 star customer service.  

·      Number ONE – service with a smile

·      The customer is always right

·      Anticipate the need before it is verbalized

·      Don’t make excuses – instead say “I’m sorry, but I’m here now, what can I do to help you now?”

 

If we were honest with ourselves, How many times would you guess that you saw a need…you recognized something needed to be done…and you ignored it because it was an inconvenience to you.  Unfortunately I have.  Rebekah put herself through a lot of hard work for no apparent gain. 

 

b)   She was a woman of godly character. Something of great worth in God’s sight. 

 

1 Peter 3:3-4

          Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.  Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

 

As women and men of God, the greatest investment we can make in our lives is that of godly character.  People are watching you whether you realize it or not…whether you proclaim to be a Christian or not…people are watching…but especially if you have proclaimed to be a Christian.  You’d be surprised how many and who is actually watching you… 

 

And just throwing this out there…

 

c)    people can see through fake…

 

 

Later in Genesis 24 it tells us that the chief servant told Rebekah’s family all that had transpired…how Abraham had sent him to find a wife for Isaac from the place he was from where his relatives lived and how he had prayed for the right young woman to say the words he had prayed for her to say and that Rebekah had done all of that.  We read that Rebekah’s father, after hearing the whole story, answered the chief servant and said “This is from the Lord, we can say nothing to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; taker her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son and the Lord has directed.”  And when the chief servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before the Lord.  Then the servant brought out gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother.  Then they had supper and spent the night there.

 

When they got up the next morning, he said, “Send me on my way to my master”.  But Rebekah’s brother and mother replied, “Let the girl remain with us ten days or so; then you may go”.  But he said to them, “Do not detain me, now that the Lord has granted success to my journey, Send me on my way so I may go to my master”.  Then they said “Let’s call the girl and ask her about it.”  So they called Rebekah and asked her, “will you go with this man?”   “I WILL GO” she said.  So the chief servant and Rebekah went on their way.

 

2.    Rebekah was brave.

 

Rebekah was given a choice in the matter.  She made the decision to GO.

To go to a foreign land,

 

with a strange man…

 

to marry a stranger…all knowing she may never see her family again.   How many of us would CHOOSE to marry someone we had never met?  Can you imagine never knowing your future spouse until your wedding? 

 

a)    Rebekah made a tough decision.  Three simple words… “I will go”… 

 

I take every opportunity I can to use my parents as an example when submission and obedience is discussed.  I’m so proud of them and the work they are doing for the Lord.  I was not surprised when they sat me and David down (and my sister) and told us they were seeking the approval to become AG World Missionaries.  I know it surprised a lot of other people because we kept getting the same questions…”Are they really going”..”What in the world”…”What about all the grandboys?”  But my parents heard The Call…and they answered obediently…   No it hasn’t been easy…they were actually denied once because of their age… there have been many obstacles…cancer being one of them…but they have stayed on path, and followed His leading until He directs their path elsewhere.  They answered “I will…”  Answering God’s call for them was saying “yes” to His direction…no matter if it is for only one term…two or three terms…or more.  At this point we do not know how long they will be on the mission field.  All we know is that they are following God one step at a time.

 

What is your “I will”?  What is God calling you to do…Where is He calling you to go?  Sometimes I think we get the idea that if we say to God “I will go”, He’s going to send us to a foreign country.  Rarely is that actually the case…  

 

I think sometimes we get ourselves all worked up and scared to fully submit to God because we are afraid of what He wants us to do… or where He wants us to go…

 

I think sometimes we let our minds run with many different scenarios of what exactly our “call” will entail.  But the fact is we may only have one piece of the puzzle and it’s a 500 piece puzzle. There’s no way of knowing what the end result will be from only seeing one piece.  We also have no idea of knowing when we may get the next piece of the puzzle…we should take one step forward at a time and wait for the next piece to be given to us.

 

b)   God truly just wants us to be obedient.  

 

Don’t worry…

 

c)    He WONT use you if you don’t want to be used.  

 

He uses willing vessles…willing hearts.

 

 

 

3.    Rebekah was beautiful in both appearance and in spirit.

 

Genesis 24:16 says: The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her.

 

In verse 63 we read the Isaac went out into a field to meditate and when he looked up he saw the camels approaching.  Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac.  She got down from her camel and asked the chief servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?”  The servant replied “He is my master,” The servant told Isaac all he had done.  Isaac then took Rebekah into his mother’s tent and took her as his wife and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. 

 

It had been almost two full chapters since Sarah’s passing, so we can assume that Isaac had been carrying the pain of losing his mother with him for quite some time.  But Rebekah was able to comfort him, soothe his pain, and create a supportive foundation for their marriage. 

 

So we know…

 

a) Rebekah to also be caring and comforting. 

 

What an amazing young woman she must have been. To have all of these good qualities…a servant’s heart, brave, she wasn’t afraid of hard work, she was a nurturer, a comforter AND beautiful.

 

No doubt…. When the chief servant had questioned Abraham “what if I find a girl but she won’t come back” and Abraham answered saying “The Lord will go before you”… God did indeed provide.

 

4.    But life wasn’t peachy.

 

Rebekah was barren for 20 years.  We learn in chapter 25:21 that “Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren”.  In this way, God emphasizes the spiritual principle that having a relationship with him and fulfilling his purposes do not happen through natural means, but through God’s supernatural action.  God chooses to grant his promises and blessings in response to prayer and faith.

 

Rebekah outshines her mother-in-law, Sarah at this particular point in her life.  We know that Sarah took matters into her own hands and brought one of her servants (Hagar) to Abraham so that he could have the children that she had been unable to conceive.  And we all know the trouble that came with that poor decision.  Rebekah waited…

 

So, Isaac prayed to God for his wife, and God heard the prayer and request, and Rebekah became pregnant.

 

5.    Rebekah received a revelation directly from God.

 

The pregnancy was not an easy one, however, Rebekah was pregnant with twins, and they wrestled within her, causing her to inquire with the Lord why this is happening.

 

Genesis 25:23

God responds: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be separated; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”

 

Rebekah did indeed have twins, and the younger Jacob, is born clasping the foot of the older,
Esau.   It was as if Jacob was vying for first place.  The competition between the two brothers had already begun.

 

6.    Rebekah favored Jacob. 

 

Genesis 25: 27-28: The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents.  Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

 

I would like to think that Rebekah loved both of her children equally. However we just read that Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob.  I can’t imagine only loving one of my children…or even loving one more than the other.

 

I remember the day before I was scheduled to be induced to deliver Jake.  I was at home alone with Cy…he was 2 years old…and my mom called to check on me, knowing that I was preparing to give birth.  I remember breaking down into tears on the phone with her…I remember the emotions going through me that day…I was so afraid that I wouldn’t love Jake as much as I loved Cy.  Cy was our world.  He was the one that made us momma and daddy.  He was it…How in the world was I supposed to love him less so that I could love another baby…AND I remember my mom telling me that there would always be equal love for both of them and that I wouldn’t love Cy any less…and I would just have more love to give…how right she was…

 

I’m believe the reason Rebekah loved Jacob more was not just because of his personality, but was because of the promise that God gave her while she was pregnant. 

 

a)    She knew Jacob was destined for great things…

b)   She allowed that knowledge steer her into an unhealthy example and relationship to her children and husband.

 

7.    Rebekah lost faith.

 

In Genesis 27, we learn that Isaac was much older and had gone blind.  He called for his firstborn, Esau, and told him to get his weapons, and go out to hunt.  He told Esau to prepare a meal for him just the way he liked it so that he may feast and then give his blessing to Esau.  Rebecca overheard Isaac speaking to Esau and her lack of faith in God to fulfill his promise moved her to deceive her husband and provide a poor example to her children.  She called for Jacob and told him to go out and bring in two of the best goats, so that she could prepare a meal just the way Isaac liked it so that Jacob could receive the blessing.  Jacob questioned her…he said but what if my father touches me or smells me…he will surely know that I am not Esau.  Rebekah responded to him “let the curse fall on me”…just do what I say.

 

As the story goes, we know that Jacob was indeed successful in Rebekah’s plan to deceive Isaac and received the blessing.

 

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

 

Sometimes it’s so tempting to try to manipulate things ourselves rather than waiting on the Lord.  We think we know what is best or what will benefit us most.  Sometimes when we are in a bind…or in a spiritual “waiting room”, we start to panic and begin to move pieces of our puzzle to suit us and to relieve pressure.  But we should WAIT. 

 

a)    Waiting isn’t easy. 

 

Waiting is very much a hard thing to do, and if you’ve ever had to wait on something…truly wait on something, you know what I’m talking about.

 

God gave Rebekah a promise…surely God Almighty speaking directly to her would mean something to her…would prove to her that he had a PLAN…yet,

 

b)   Rebekah panicked when she saw that Esau was about to receive the blessing…which led her to sin…to deceive her husband, and teach her son to deceive his father. 

 

Rebekah lacked the faith in God to fulfill HIS own promise.

 

How sad…and what a slap in the face that must feel like.  We seek God…we pray and we ask for things…beg for things…and then He gives us a promise and we don’t even trust Him to fulfill that promise.  We don’t trust Him enough to WAIT.  The answer isn’t always “no”…sometimes its just “wait”.

 

If God gives you a promise, HE WILL DELIVER.

 

I wonder how things would have played out, had Rebekah waited on the Lord. The story could have gone 100 different ways.  One thing I DO know…in the end, Esau would have still served Jacob, just as God said.  The nation of Jacob would have still been stronger, just like God said.

 

8.    There are always consequences.

 

When Esau found out about what his mother and Jacob had done, he became very angry.  Genesis 27:41 says that Esau held a grudge against Jacob…even said that after he had mourned his father’s death, he would kill Jacob.

 

a)    Again, Rebekah panicked…

 

and sent Jacob away to live with relatives to protect him from Esau.

  And the consequences…

 

b)   She never saw her beloved Jacob again.

 

I don’t know…but I imagine what an awful feeling Rebekah must have felt…the remorse she may have felt realizing that her actions caused bitterness between her sons and her between she and Isaac.  Maybe she beat herself up wishing she would have waited on the Lord to fulfill His plan, His way.

 

Knowing how I have been inpatient before…and how realizing after the fact, if I had only waited a little longer, God would have worked my situation out far better than I could have ever imagined. 

 

If I had only waited on the Lord.

Rebekah

 

Genesis 24

 

We are all familiar with the story of Abraham and Sarah and how in their old age they were blessed with their son, Isaac.  We know about the test that Abraham went through when God told Abraham to present Isaac as a sacrifice, and that in the end, God provided a ram for the sacrifice because of Abraham’s obedience.

 

In Genesis 24, we learn that Abraham was much older and advanced in years and the Lord had blessed him in every way.  At this time, Abraham called his chief servant in his household and made him swear that he would go and find a wife for Isaac.  But not just any woman would suffice.  Abraham made him swear that he wouldn’t get a wife from the Canaanites, but that he would go back to Abraham’s home, and choose a wife from among his relatives.  The servant questioned Abraham…He said “what if the woman is unwilling to come back with me? Shall I then take Isaac back to this land?”  But Abraham said “no, make sure you do not take Isaac back there”. He said “The Lord, the God of heaven, who brought me out of my father’s household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying “To your offspring I will give this land” – He will send His angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there. If the woman is unwilling to come back with you, then you will be released from his oath of mine.” So the chief servant swore to Abraham that he would do what he was asked. 

 

So the servant took ten of his master’s camels and left, also taking with him all kinds of good things from his master and departed on his way.  And when he had made his way to the town of Nahor, he had the camels kneel down near the water source outside the town.  It was toward evening time, which was the time when the women would go out to draw water. Then he prayed “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today and show kindness to my master Abraham.  See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water.  May it be that when I say to a girl, “Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,” and she says, “Drink, and I’ll water your camels too” – let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac.  By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”

 

Before he had even finished praying, Rebekah came into view with her jar on her shoulder.  And she just happened to be the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor.  The girl was very beautiful, a virgin. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again.  The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.”  “Drink, my lord” she said and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.  After she had given him a drink, she said “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking”.  So she emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all ten of his camels.  Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful.

 

He asked “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?”  She answered him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milcah bore to Nahor”, and she added, “We have plenty of straw and fodder, as well as room for you to spend the night.”  Then the chief servant bowed down and worshiped the Lord, saying “Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master.  As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.” 

RECAP - When the chief servant knelt down and prayed, he said “Lord, let it be that the young woman to whom I say “Please let down your jar that I may drink,” and she says Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink” – let her be the one you have appointed for Your servant Isaac.  And by this I will know you have shown kindness to my master.” 

 

The chief servant stood back and watched her as she watered all of the camels.  He wasn’t just watching her walk back and forth from the trough to the spring…He was observing her.  Verse 21 says “without saying a word, he watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful”. 

 

I believe he was reading her attitude.  Had Rebekah moped back and forth from the trough to the camels with an attitude of not really wanting to take the time to water a strange man and his ten camels…had she huffed and puffed…maybe rolled her eyes…maybe griped or made a snide comment like “Did you really need ten camels…good grief”… Possibly just being hospitable because it was what was expected of her. 

 

But Rebekah didn’t do that.  Verse 19 says that after the chief servant had drank his fill, she QUICKLY emptied her jar into the trough and RAN back to the spring to get more water for the camels…and she did that until the camels had also drank their fill. 

 

1.    Rebekah had a servant’s heart.

 

It’s easy to know when someone is doing something, or providing a service with a true servant’s heart or if they are simply going through the motions because it is what they think is expected of them.  I’m sure some (or all) of you can relate to this with your children.  There are times I ask one of the boys to start a load of laundry… Not always…but sometimes… I may get “why do I have to…and then there’s some huffing and puffing involved…maybe “accidently” dropping the laundry basket and a little muttering under his breath about how unfair it is that I’ve asked him to start a load of clothes.

 

And then there’s times when their servant’s heart really shines. For instance, when there is a dinner here at the church…or it’s a rainy Sunday…or there is candy to be thrown in a parade and it’s like 100 degrees outside…you’ll never hear a complaint.  You can see the pure joy on their faces while they are serving others.  Who cares if they might be the last one in line to get food…or their feet will be soaked from running back and forth with an umbrella helping others get into church dry…or that the sweat is literally pouring down their faces and they are hot and tired and their feet must be aching because they’ve walked from the football field all the way downtown and back… they act as if they couldn’t imagine anywhere else they’d rather be than serving this church and this community.

 

I believe that’s what the chief servant was looking for.  He was standing silently watching her serve not just him…but all 10 of his dirty, stinky camels…not just a little bit of water…but it said she RAN back and forth until each had drank it’s fill.  That was quite a bit of work…and to top it off, it was at the end of the day…Rebekah had probably been working in or at her home all day and now some stranger was asking for her to serve water… 

 

The chief servant had asked God for a sign to indicate which girl God has chosen.  Watering camels would be hard work.  Any young woman who would volunteer to do this would be demonstrating humility, helpfulness and willingness to serve.

 

The chief servant didn’t ask her to water his camels…..he asked for a drink for himself… 

 

a)    But Rebekah saw a need and she served.

 

In the secular world, having a true servant’s heart is referred to as giving 5 star customer service.  

·      Number ONE – service with a smile

·      The customer is always right

·      Anticipate the need before it is verbalized

·      Don’t make excuses – instead say “I’m sorry, but I’m here now, what can I do to help you now?”

 

If we were honest with ourselves, How many times would you guess that you saw a need…you recognized something needed to be done…and you ignored it because it was an inconvenience to you.  Unfortunately I have.  Rebekah put herself through a lot of hard work for no apparent gain. 

 

b)   She was a woman of godly character. Something of great worth in God’s sight. 

 

1 Peter 3:3-4

          Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.  Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

 

As women and men of God, the greatest investment we can make in our lives is that of godly character.  People are watching you whether you realize it or not…whether you proclaim to be a Christian or not…people are watching…but especially if you have proclaimed to be a Christian.  You’d be surprised how many and who is actually watching you… 

 

And just throwing this out there…

 

c)    people can see through fake…

 

 

Later in Genesis 24 it tells us that the chief servant told Rebekah’s family all that had transpired…how Abraham had sent him to find a wife for Isaac from the place he was from where his relatives lived and how he had prayed for the right young woman to say the words he had prayed for her to say and that Rebekah had done all of that.  We read that Rebekah’s father, after hearing the whole story, answered the chief servant and said “This is from the Lord, we can say nothing to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; taker her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son and the Lord has directed.”  And when the chief servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before the Lord.  Then the servant brought out gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother.  Then they had supper and spent the night there.

 

When they got up the next morning, he said, “Send me on my way to my master”.  But Rebekah’s brother and mother replied, “Let the girl remain with us ten days or so; then you may go”.  But he said to them, “Do not detain me, now that the Lord has granted success to my journey, Send me on my way so I may go to my master”.  Then they said “Let’s call the girl and ask her about it.”  So they called Rebekah and asked her, “will you go with this man?”   “I WILL GO” she said.  So the chief servant and Rebekah went on their way.

 

2.    Rebekah was brave.

 

Rebekah was given a choice in the matter.  She made the decision to GO.

To go to a foreign land,

 

with a strange man…

 

to marry a stranger…all knowing she may never see her family again.   How many of us would CHOOSE to marry someone we had never met?  Can you imagine never knowing your future spouse until your wedding? 

 

a)    Rebekah made a tough decision.  Three simple words… “I will go”… 

 

I take every opportunity I can to use my parents as an example when submission and obedience is discussed.  I’m so proud of them and the work they are doing for the Lord.  I was not surprised when they sat me and David down (and my sister) and told us they were seeking the approval to become AG World Missionaries.  I know it surprised a lot of other people because we kept getting the same questions…”Are they really going”..”What in the world”…”What about all the grandboys?”  But my parents heard The Call…and they answered obediently…   No it hasn’t been easy…they were actually denied once because of their age… there have been many obstacles…cancer being one of them…but they have stayed on path, and followed His leading until He directs their path elsewhere.  They answered “I will…”  Answering God’s call for them was saying “yes” to His direction…no matter if it is for only one term…two or three terms…or more.  At this point we do not know how long they will be on the mission field.  All we know is that they are following God one step at a time.

 

What is your “I will”?  What is God calling you to do…Where is He calling you to go?  Sometimes I think we get the idea that if we say to God “I will go”, He’s going to send us to a foreign country.  Rarely is that actually the case…  

 

I think sometimes we get ourselves all worked up and scared to fully submit to God because we are afraid of what He wants us to do… or where He wants us to go…

 

I think sometimes we let our minds run with many different scenarios of what exactly our “call” will entail.  But the fact is we may only have one piece of the puzzle and it’s a 500 piece puzzle. There’s no way of knowing what the end result will be from only seeing one piece.  We also have no idea of knowing when we may get the next piece of the puzzle…we should take one step forward at a time and wait for the next piece to be given to us.

 

b)   God truly just wants us to be obedient.  

 

Don’t worry…

 

c)    He WONT use you if you don’t want to be used.  

 

He uses willing vessles…willing hearts.

 

3.    Rebekah was beautiful in both appearance and in spirit.

 

Genesis 24:16 says: The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her.

 

In verse 63 we read the Isaac went out into a field to meditate and when he looked up he saw the camels approaching.  Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac.  She got down from her camel and asked the chief servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?”  The servant replied “He is my master,” The servant told Isaac all he had done.  Isaac then took Rebekah into his mother’s tent and took her as his wife and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. 

 

It had been almost two full chapters since Sarah’s passing, so we can assume that Isaac had been carrying the pain of losing his mother with him for quite some time.  But Rebekah was able to comfort him, soothe his pain, and create a supportive foundation for their marriage. 

 

So we know…

 

a) Rebekah to also be caring and comforting. 

 

What an amazing young woman she must have been. To have all of these good qualities…a servant’s heart, brave, she wasn’t afraid of hard work, she was a nurturer, a comforter AND beautiful.

 

No doubt…. When the chief servant had questioned Abraham “what if I find a girl but she won’t come back” and Abraham answered saying “The Lord will go before you”… God did indeed provide.

 

4.    But life wasn’t peachy.

 

Rebekah was barren for 20 years.  We learn in chapter 25:21 that “Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren”.  In this way, God emphasizes the spiritual principle that having a relationship with him and fulfilling his purposes do not happen through natural means, but through God’s supernatural action.  God chooses to grant his promises and blessings in response to prayer and faith.

 

Rebekah outshines her mother-in-law, Sarah at this particular point in her life.  We know that Sarah took matters into her own hands and brought one of her servants (Hagar) to Abraham so that he could have the children that she had been unable to conceive.  And we all know the trouble that came with that poor decision.  Rebekah waited…

 

So, Isaac prayed to God for his wife, and God heard the prayer and request, and Rebekah became pregnant.

 

5.    Rebekah received a revelation directly from God.

 

The pregnancy was not an easy one, however, Rebekah was pregnant with twins, and they wrestled within her, causing her to inquire with the Lord why this is happening.

 

Genesis 25:23

God responds: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be separated; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”

 

Rebekah did indeed have twins, and the younger Jacob, is born clasping the foot of the older,
Esau.   It was as if Jacob was vying for first place.  The competition between the two brothers had already begun.

 

6.    Rebekah favored Jacob. 

 

Genesis 25: 27-28: The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents.  Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

 

I would like to think that Rebekah loved both of her children equally. However we just read that Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob.  I can’t imagine only loving one of my children…or even loving one more than the other.

 

I remember the day before I was scheduled to be induced to deliver Jake.  I was at home alone with Cy…he was 2 years old…and my mom called to check on me, knowing that I was preparing to give birth.  I remember breaking down into tears on the phone with her…I remember the emotions going through me that day…I was so afraid that I wouldn’t love Jake as much as I loved Cy.  Cy was our world.  He was the one that made us momma and daddy.  He was it…How in the world was I supposed to love him less so that I could love another baby…AND I remember my mom telling me that there would always be equal love for both of them and that I wouldn’t love Cy any less…and I would just have more love to give…how right she was…

 

I’m believe the reason Rebekah loved Jacob more was not just because of his personality, but was because of the promise that God gave her while she was pregnant. 

 

a)    She knew Jacob was destined for great things…

b)   She allowed that knowledge steer her into an unhealthy example and relationship to her children and husband.

 

7.    Rebekah lost faith.

 

In Genesis 27, we learn that Isaac was much older and had gone blind.  He called for his firstborn, Esau, and told him to get his weapons, and go out to hunt.  He told Esau to prepare a meal for him just the way he liked it so that he may feast and then give his blessing to Esau.  Rebecca overheard Isaac speaking to Esau and her lack of faith in God to fulfill his promise moved her to deceive her husband and provide a poor example to her children.  She called for Jacob and told him to go out and bring in two of the best goats, so that she could prepare a meal just the way Isaac liked it so that Jacob could receive the blessing.  Jacob questioned her…he said but what if my father touches me or smells me…he will surely know that I am not Esau.  Rebekah responded to him “let the curse fall on me”…just do what I say.

 

As the story goes, we know that Jacob was indeed successful in Rebekah’s plan to deceive Isaac and received the blessing.

 

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

 

Sometimes it’s so tempting to try to manipulate things ourselves rather than waiting on the Lord.  We think we know what is best or what will benefit us most.  Sometimes when we are in a bind…or in a spiritual “waiting room”, we start to panic and begin to move pieces of our puzzle to suit us and to relieve pressure.  But we should WAIT. 

 

a)    Waiting isn’t easy. 

 

Waiting is very much a hard thing to do, and if you’ve ever had to wait on something…truly wait on something, you know what I’m talking about.

 

God gave Rebekah a promise…surely God Almighty speaking directly to her would mean something to her…would prove to her that he had a PLAN…yet,

 

b)   Rebekah panicked when she saw that Esau was about to receive the blessing…which led her to sin…to deceive her husband, and teach her son to deceive his father. 

 

Rebekah lacked the faith in God to fulfill HIS own promise.

 

How sad…and what a slap in the face that must feel like.  We seek God…we pray and we ask for things…beg for things…and then He gives us a promise and we don’t even trust Him to fulfill that promise.  We don’t trust Him enough to WAIT.  The answer isn’t always “no”…sometimes its just “wait”.

 

If God gives you a promise, HE WILL DELIVER.

 

I wonder how things would have played out, had Rebekah waited on the Lord. The story could have gone 100 different ways.  One thing I DO know…in the end, Esau would have still served Jacob, just as God said.  The nation of Jacob would have still been stronger, just like God said.

 

8.    There are always consequences.

 

When Esau found out about what his mother and Jacob had done, he became very angry.  Genesis 27:41 says that Esau held a grudge against Jacob…even said that after he had mourned his father’s death, he would kill Jacob.

 

a)    Again, Rebekah panicked…

 

and sent Jacob away to live with relatives to protect him from Esau.

  And the consequences…

 

b)   She never saw her beloved Jacob again.

 

I don’t know…but I imagine what an awful feeling Rebekah must have felt…the remorse she may have felt realizing that her actions caused bitterness between her sons and her between she and Isaac.  Maybe she beat herself up wishing she would have waited on the Lord to fulfill His plan, His way.

 

Knowing how I have been inpatient before…and how realizing after the fact, if I had only waited a little longer, God would have worked my situation out far better than I could have ever imagined. 

 

If I had only waited on the Lord.