Sunday, 29 January 2017

THE CHARACTER OF REBEKAH.

Rebekah, in the Scripture, is the wife of Isaac, and mother of Jacob and Esau; daughter of Bethuel and sister of Laban.
Bethuel was Abraham's nephew, born to his brother Nahor, called the Syrian (or Aramena), by Micah, and became the father of Laban and Rebekah. Nahor dwelled in the flatland of Aram. Nahor's father had the same name, being identified as Nahor son of Serug, that at the age of 29 became the fatehr of Terah and thus became the grandfather of Abraham (Genesis 11:22-26; ! Chronicles 1:26). His name does appear again in the genealogy of Like 3:34 which leads back from Jesus and Joseph to Adam.
Bethuel later acknoledged the Divine Direction that brought Abraham's slave to his home in search of a wife for Isaac, saying, along with Laban, his son, "From God this thing has issued." Attention is drawn to the fact that Bethuel was from Padan-Aram. It was important that Abraham's children should not marry the Canaanites, and so Abraham specifically sent back to his family in Padan-Aram for a suitable wife for Isaac.
The brother of Rebekah, Laban had a greater part in seeing his sister satisfactorily married than did Bethuel, but it was from his descendants, through Rebekah, that God fulfilled His Promises to Abraham.
Rebekah's strong mindedness showed itself in her caring heart by her prompt decision to leave home and marry Isaac, and in the assured personal connection with God. She was consulted about this decision and it was only her consent that made it possible. Her discernment led her to make the right choice. According to the custom of the day, Rebekah's initial accepting of the nose ring was a clear sign of the servant's intention and her acceptance of it.
Genesis 24 says, "Abraham was now very old, and the Lord had blessed him in everything he did. He said to his oldest servant, who was in charge of all that he had, 'Place your hand between my thighs and make a vow. I want you to make a vow in the Name of the Lord, the God of Heaven and Earth, that you will not choose a wife for my son from the people here in Canaan. You must go back to the country where I was born and get a wife for my son Isaac from among my relatives." (1-4) "But the servant asked, 'What if the young woman will not leave home to come with me to this land? Shall I send your son back to the land you came from?' Abraham answered, 'Make sure that you do not send my son back there! The Lord, the God of Heaven, brought me from the home of my father and form the land of my relatives, and He Solemnly Promised me that He Give This Land to my descendants. He will send His Angel before you, so that you can get a wife there for my son. If the young woman is not willing to come with you, you will be free from this promise. But you must not under any circumstances take my son back there." 5-8
Rebekah drew water, not only for Abraham's servant but also for his camel's. Supplying Water for thirsty camels is a very demanding job, and she put herself through alot of hard work for no apparent gain. After providing Abraham's servants with water, she assured him that there was enough room in her parents house to accommodate him and his camel's for the night. He heart led her to help a stranger, exposing her to the blessing of God.
Rebekah was described as very beautiful. The spirit of determination in Rebekah is what opened the door to her destiny. She allowed the Love of God to shape her life. Rebekah followed Abraham's servant back to Isaac and became his wife. Isaac was 40 years old. Rebekah was barren and Isaac prayed for her and God heard his prayer. It still took 20 years of marriage before Rebekah had her children. Rebekah was a woman of prayer and had no less access to God than Isaac did. We see her seeking seeking God's answer over the issue of her children fighting inside her womb.
Patience is always necessary in receiving Blessings from God. Patience in humans is endurance coupled with God's grace which combines to give us the ability to seek God in prayer and continue without giving up until the answer is received. Rebekah's weakness was the lack of patience putting her  in the other side of her strength: decisiveness used in a deceitful way degenerates into harmful dominance. (Genesis 25) She never saw her beloved Jacob again. Rebekah, unknowingly, sent him to the land that Abraham, under any circumstances, wanted Isaac to put a foot. She died and rested with isaac in the Cave of Mach'Pelah.

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