Women Of The Bible
Study 4
Rebekah
Read - Genesis 24:1-9
*Background to the story of Rebekah - Abraham wanted to find a wife for his son Isaac from Abraham’s home country where they would be able to find a woman who believed in God. At this time there was much idolatry in the land of Canaan. It was important to Abraham that the wife that was chosen was not going to lead Isaac away from believing in the one true God.
Read – Genesis 24:10-27
“Among the women who were gathered at the well, the courteous manners of one attracted his attention. As she came from the well, the stranger went to meet her, asking for some water from the pitcher upon her shoulder. The request received a kindly answer, with an offer to draw water for the camels also, a service which it was customary even for the daughters of princes to perform for their fathers’ flocks and herds. Thus the desired sign was given. The maiden “was very fair to look upon,” and her ready courtesy gave evidence of a kind heart and an active, energetic nature..” Patriarchs and Prophets, E.G. White, P172
*What a blessing it was that Abraham had such a faithful servant who prayed to God for guidance to find the right woman for Isaac.
Read - Genesis 24:28-58
*You wonder what must have been going through Rebekah’s mind as she heard the miraculous story of how Abraham’s servant found her. Even though she was to go to relatives of her father’s, the fact she so readily agreed to travel with this stranger to a faraway country and to marry a man she had not even met was remarkable. Rebekah must have been a woman of great courage and faith.
Read – Genesis 24:59-67
*What a blessing it was that God sent an angel to Rebekah to explain her situation. God even cares for the little things in life, even an uncomfortable pregnancy! Like Rebekah who went and enquired of God for answers, we too can pray and ask God about things that are troubling us.
Read – Genesis 26:1-11
*It’s interesting that Isaac repeated the behaviour of his father Abraham and passed off Rebekah as his sister. Here our reading tells us that Rebekah was so beautiful that Isaac was afraid he would be killed for her.
Read – Genesis 27:1-19
*The birthright was very precious and important and Esau and Jacob would have been very well versed in this. The birthright was not only something that would bring them great wealth and prosperity but also came with a spiritual responsibility. They would be the head and spiritual priest of the family. It would be through their line that Jesus would come. Rebekah felt that even though Esau was the oldest, Jacob was the one who should get the birthright as he was more fitted for the responsibility. The angel had also told Rebekah that the older would serve the younger.
Read – Genesis 27:41-46 & Genesis 28:1-5
“Jacob and Rebekah succeeded in their purpose, but they gained only trouble and sorrow by their deception. God had declared that Jacob should receive the birthright, and His word would have been fulfilled in His own time had they waited in faith for Him to work for them. But like many who now profess to be children of God, they were unwilling to leave the matter in His hands. Rebekah bitterly repented the wrong counsel she had given her son; it was the means of separating him from her, and she never saw his face again.” Patriarchs and Prophets, E.G. White, P180
Read – Genesis 35:8
“At Bethel, Jacob was called to mourn the loss of one who had long been an honored member of his father’s family—Rebekah’s nurse, Deborah, who had accompanied her mistress from Mesopotamia to the land of Canaan. The presence of this aged woman had been to Jacob a precious tie that bound him to his early life, and especially to the mother whose love for him had been so strong and tender.” Patriarchs and Prophets, E.G. White, P206
Our study today reveals that Rebekah was an amazing woman but she made a mistake and took matters into her own hands and went ahead of God instead of waiting on the LORD to do things in His own timing. Rebekah had the best intentions but, in the end, it was done by deception which she greatly regretted afterwards. Can we learn from Rebekah’s experience?
Power Text – Psalm 27:14
“Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!”
