Strangely enough, Rebekah follows in her mother-in-law, Sarah’s, footsteps, even though they never met. When Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac, Sarah has passed away.
So, what did they have in common? They were not happy with God’s timing and tried to manipulate the situation to meet their needs better. Both had faith in God, but felt He was moving too slowly.
We will examine the life of Rebekah and explore what we can learn from her experiences.
Rebekah’s Background
- Her Choice
- Birth of Esau and Jacob
- Rebekah Takes the Lead
What can we learn from Rebekah?
- Rebekah Followed the Lord’s Lead
- She was Dependent on the Lord
- Rebekah Played Favorites
- Takes Matters into Her Own Hands
Conclusion
Rebekah’s Background
Her Choice (Genesis 24:1-67 NIV)
Abraham did not want Isaac to marry a daughter of the Canaanites, where they lived, so he sent his servant to his relatives who lived in Nahor. An angel went before the servant to ensure he could find a wife there. When he arrived, he stopped at the well outside of town to water the camels.
He prayed to the Lord to help him find the right woman. When Rebekah arrived at the well, the servant asked her for a drink. She said yes and offered to water his camels also. This was what the servant had asked the Lord to have her reply so that he would recognize she was the right one.
After she finished watering the camels, he gave her jewelry. He asked about her family and if they had room for him to stay the night. She agreed, went home, and told her brother, Laban. He went to the servant and welcomed him to their home.
The servant explained who he was and why he had come. Laban and Bethuel felt it was direction from the Lord and agreed for her to go. At first, they wanted Rebekah to wait ten days before leaving, but the servant told them he needed to return to his master.
They called Rebekah to get her opinion. She agreed to go. Laben, Bethuel, and the servant all were confident this was the Lord’s will.
Birth of Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25:19-28NIV)
Rebekah had a problem becoming pregnant. Isaac prayed to the Lord.
Genesis 25:21 NIV “Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.”
The children were very active in her womb. She was dependent on the Lord for help, so she asked Him, “Why is this happening to me?” verse 22.
Verse 23: The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”
Rebekah had twin boys, one of whom was red and hairy; they named him Esau, and the other, Jacob. Esau became a hunter, and Jacob was content to stay home. Isaac loved wild game so Esau was his favorite, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Rebekah Takes the Lead (Genesis 27:1-17)
Isaac was old and had trouble seeing. He told Esau to go out and get some wild game for him. He would eat and then give him his blessing before he died.
Rebekah overheard the conversation and told Jacob:
Genesis 25:8-10 NIV “Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies.”
Jacob was concerned because his brother was very hairy, and Isaac would be able to tell the difference. He would then get a curse instead of a blessing.
Jacob put on Esau’s clothing. Rebekah put goatskins on his hands and the smooth part of his neck, hoping to fool Isaac into thinking it was Esau.
Jacob took the meat to his father, and Isaac asked who it was.
Genesis 27:19 NIV “Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau, your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.”
Isaac asked how he got the game so quickly. “The Lord gave me success”.
Isaac was not wholly convinced since he recognized the voice as Jacob’s, yet his hands were hairy like Esau’s. He proceeded to blessed him.
It was not long before Esau came in with the game. Isaac became upset when he realized what had happened. Esau begged his father for the blessing. Isaac’s blessing was different for Esau. He became furious and threatened to kill Jacob.
What Can We Learn from Rebekah?
Rebekah Follow’s God’s Lead
Genesis 24:57-58 NIV “Then they said, ‘Let’s call the young woman and ask her about it.’ So they called Rebekah and asked her, ‘Will you go with this man?’ ‘I will go,’ she said.”
Not much is said here about why she made this choice. However, it’s essential to remember that young women are immersed in the teachings of the Lord from a very young age. This lifelong learning likely played a significant role in shaping her decision, especially when the agreement of Laban and Bethuel supported it.
It was quite a decision for a young woman. Leaving everything she knew and going off to another land and family must have been daunting.
Her desire to follow the Lord’s direction for her life was too important to overlook. Her relationship with God was sound.
It’s not always easy to follow the Lord’s direction. Staying in communication with Him can help ease your apprehension and build your confidence.
She was Dependent on the Lord
Genesis 25:22 NIV “The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, ‘Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.”
Rebekah must have maintained regular communication with God. When she becomes distressed, she goes to Him quickly for answers. The ease of her request suggests that she prays frequently with the Lord.
Some feel God is too big to be bothered with our simple requests. This shows the reality of prayer. She inquired of the Lord, and He answered. He didn’t ignore her request.
Don’t hesitate to take everything to the Lord. Nothing is too small. He wants to help you.
Rebekah Played Favorites
Genesis 25:28 NIV “Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.”
I said she played favorites, but they both were guilty. It was natural, given their personalities, for them to gravitate towards their favorites.
The problem is, it usually doesn’t end well. It’s hard to balance between your children, but it’s necessary to do the best you can.
Because they didn’t try to overcome the problem, it ended in disaster. Jacob had to leave because of Esau’s anger and threats. Esau married women whom his parents disapproved of, to irritate them. And it worked!
The good news is that Esau and Jacob reconciled later in life, but not after a long period of distress.
Do you have a favorite? It doesn’t have to be just with your children. Favoritism can have negative consequences.
Took Matters into Her Own Hands
Genesis 27:5-10 NIV “Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, ‘Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.’
‘Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies.’”
When Rebekah overheard the conversation between Isaac and Esau, she began to plan how to ensure that Jacob would receive a blessing. She knew what God had planned and thought it would be okay to step in. Maybe she was the instrument God would use.
Her timing was not God’s timing. She lost both sons because she interfered with God’s plan.
It’s the same for us when we feel God is not working. We step in and try to work it out.
Wait on God. We often hear that, but do we do it?
Conclusion
Rebekah was a woman of God. She made some unwise decisions due to her impatience, creating a difficult family situation that would last for many years.
Because of God’s promise to her about her children, she felt like she was helping the circumstances. That can easily cause us problems in our own lives when we decide that God’s way is to happen when we decide.
Do you find it difficult to wait? Do you want to help God along? Believe me, I understand. But God wants us to be patient and wait for Him. Why? Because it’s for our best. He can see ahead, we can’t. He has the power to help.
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