Welcome to the third week of Faithlogue’s 2024 Winter Series: “The Women of the Promise.” Please subscribe to receive each week’s post in your email inbox and to receive Faithlogue’s monthly subscriber newsletter. You can catch up on any missed posts here.

Passages: Genesis 24-27; Romans 9

So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

Romans 9:16

Last week, Sarah’s story revealed God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises. Sarah’s missteps reminded us that nothing is too difficult for the Lord, even when we struggle to accept that His promises include us. This week, Rebekah’s story displays God’s sovereignty in His plans to preserve the people of His promises.

Rebekah’s story begins in Genesis 24:15 when she encounters Abraham’s chief servant resting his camels at the well outside the town of Abraham’s brother, Nahor. She provides water for the man and his camels and agrees to let them lodge for the night with her family. In response, the servant presents her with a gold nose ring and two bracelets. He then bows to worship the Lord with thanksgiving for finding Rebekah and Abraham’s family.

The man’s enthusiasm must surprise Rebekah because she runs ahead of him to tell her family. Her brother, Laban, goes out to greet the servant and bring him back. At this point, the man explains that he has come to Nahor at Abraham’s request to find a wife for Isaac from Abraham’s family. He then describes Rebekah’s actions at the well as the answer to his prayer that the Lord would reveal the woman chosen to be Isaac’s wife.

Rebekah’s betrothal to Isaac is not a typical meet-cute, but it does contain essential moments. First, the story emphasizes God’s will at work through the obedience of Abraham, the chief servant, and Rebekah’s family. Abraham upholds his household by sending his chief servant to find Isaac a wife from their family. The servant goes in faith and prays to the Lord to find the right person. Rebekah’s father and brother initially agree to send Rebekah with the servant to marry Isaac, saying, “This is from the Lord” (Genesis 24:50).

Next, the story highlights Rebekah’s acceptance and understanding of God’s will for her role in His covenant. After initially offering Rebekah in marriage, her brother and mother try to stall her departure the next day. Rebekah could take advantage of their hesitancy and stay home instead of venturing into the unknown, but instead, she agrees to go of her own will. Her family sends her out with their blessing, and she becomes Isaac’s beloved wife.

Years after their marriage, God’s covenant to bless Abraham’s family appears to be in jeopardy because Isaac and Rebekah struggle to bear children. Isaac prays for them, and Rebekah becomes pregnant with twins. The babies jostle one another in her crowded womb, so Rebekah asks the Lord why. The Lord answers her directly, stating, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23).

Sure enough, from the moment of delivery, Rebekah’s twin boys, Jacob and Esau, compete for dominance. Esau is born first, and he is certainly stronger physically than Jacob. However, Esau ultimately sells his birthright to Jacob for the temporary satisfaction of a meal. Therefore, when the time comes for Isaac to bless and bestow the birthright blessing, Rebekah conspires to ensure that Jacob is the one who receives it. Later, Rebekah continues her commitment to Abraham’s lineage by sending Jacob back to her brother to find a wife.

Rebehah’s plan to ensure Jacob’s status seems manipulative. Indeed, many commentaries and sermons describe Rebekah’s actions as forced and divisive. However, when we consider her betrothal story and God’s proclamation during her pregnancy, we realize that Rebekah understands God’s plans. She becomes the instrument of God’s preservation of the family’s lineage through Jacob.

Rebekah’s story shows how God’s plans do not always match societal expectations. God intended the younger son, Jacob, to continue the covenant. This trend will continue throughout the following generations. Likewise, the conflict between Rebekah’s sons foreshadows the challenges God’s people will face in preserving both their family and their claim on the land. In all, her actions reveal God’s sovereignty over the means of fulfilling His promises.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul also cites Rebekah’s story as a lesson in God’s sovereignty (Romans 9). He explains that God intended to bless Isaac’s descendants and seal his covenant to Abraham through Isaac and then through his son Jacob. In addition to land and lineage, this family would inherit the law and carry God’s promises through generations.

It would appear at first that God favored Jacob and despised Esau. However, God promised to bless all people through this family with the coming of Jesus. Ultimately, God’s covenant to bless all nations through Jesus Christ includes both Jacob and Esau’s descendants and extends to us. Paul explains, “This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring” (Romans 9:8).

Rebekah’s story reminds us that God’s promises exist for the sake of His people. He keeps His covenant with us because He is sovereign over all our manipulations and mistakes. Aren’t we thankful?

© 2024 Lori Myers Berry

Thought Questions

1. Rebekah’s actions involved deception. These events happened before God provided the Ten Commandments, but we know from the events in Eden that God does not condone deception. Therefore, how can we reconcile the claim that Rebekah played an important role in God’s promise-keeping with her means for accomplishing it?
2. Rebekah decides on her own to marry Isaac, speaks directly with the Lord, and takes decisive action to protect Abrham’s lineage. She is an active character in her story. Sometimes, we can be tempted to play a passive role, submitting our faith to the actions of others. Are you an active participant in your own faith story, or do you rely on others? Why?
3. The relationship between Rebekah’s boys was messy and competitive. Like Jacob and Esau, I imagine you have also encountered messy or competitive relationships. Like Rebekah, have you experienced God at work through or despite that mess to reveal His sovereignty? Please explain.

Prayer

God, you are sovereign. Thank you for working through Rebekah to reveal how your plans prevail over our expectations. Thank you for preserving Abraham’s family through Rebekah’s actions. Thank you for including us in the blessings of your work. Like Abraham’s family, our understanding is often limited. Please forgive us when we doubt your sovereignty and goodness in our own lives. Please help us to rest in your good plans and trust in your eternal promises. Amen.