Rebekah

Day 1
Her name probably means “loop” or “tie”

Her Character: Hard-working and generous, she possessed a faith so great that she left her home forever to marry a man she had never seen or met. Yet she played favorites with her sons and failed to trust God fully for the promise he had made.

Her Sorrow: That she was barren for the first twenty years of her married life, and that she never again set eyes on her favorite son, Jacob, after he fled from his brother Esau.

Her Joy: That God had gone to extraordinary lengths to pursue her, to invite her to become part of his people and his promises.

Key Scriptures : Genesis 24; 25:19 - 34; 26:1 - 28:1-9

Genesis 24:42-46, 66-67
"When I came to the spring today, I said, 'O LORD, God of my master Abraham, if you will, please grant success to the journey on which I have come. 43 See, I am standing beside this spring; if a maiden comes out to draw water and I say to her, "Please let me drink a little water from your jar," 44 and if she says to me, "Drink, and I'll draw water for your camels too," let her be the one the LORD has chosen for my master's son.'

45 "Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out, with her jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, 'Please give me a drink.'

46 "She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too.' So I drank, and she watered the camels also.

…66 Then the servant told Isaac all he had done. 67 Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

Dear Father, thank you for being here for us and pursuing us. For inviting us to become a part of your people and promises. You are amazing. We love you. Thank you.

Day 2
Let’s talk Jewelry.

Genesis 24:47, 53
Then I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the nose ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists….
53 Then the servant brought out jewelry of silver, jewelry of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother.

A nose ring? Yeah, that’s right. It was an acceptable form of adornment in ancient times. Now days it is often a sign of rebellion in todays youth. It is mentioned in two other scriptures in the Bible. Proverbs 11 and Ezekiel 16. God speaks of adorning His people with jewels in Ezekiel 16:11-13. In Exodus 32:2 both women and men wore earings (that’s for you, honey). They both wore other jewelry as well (Numbers 31:50). The Israelites too most of their jewelry from others while at war. In 2 Samuel 8:11 you read about David gaining enormous amounts of jewelry when he conquered the nations surrounding Israel. He dedicated all of it to the Lord. Solomon had so much gold that he made it as common as stones. (2 Chronicles 1:15). In the New Testament it is mentioned only once. It says we should pay more attention to our inner beauty that our outward. (1 Peter 3:3-4)

Tomorrow morning, when you put on your jewelry, put on a spirit of peace along with them. Do this with a cheerful attitude, while clasping a necklace around your neck, clasp a sweet spirit to your heart also. Remember the spirit you wear will make a bigger difference than that of the jewelry you wear.

Dear Lord, thank you for this day, one of which you made for us. May we understand that we are to be used for your purpose and help us to be a light in the darkness of today. May we shine like diamonds. May we reflect to others your love and kindness like a reflection in the purest of silver. May we be reminded that we are your jewels, we are precious to you and we were chosen for your purpose. Amen.

Day 3
Legacy in Scripture

Genesis 24:12-27

12 Then he said, “O LORD God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher 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 that You have shown kindness to my master.” 15 And it happened, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. 16 Now the young woman was very beautiful to behold, a virgin; no man had known her. And she went down to the well, filled her pitcher, and came up. 17 And the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me drink a little water from your pitcher.” 18 So she said, “Drink, my lord.” Then she quickly let her pitcher down to her hand, and gave him a drink. 19 And when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” 20 Then she quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough, ran back to the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels. 21 And the man, wondering at her, remained silent so as to know whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not. 22 So it was, when the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a golden nose ring weighing half a shekel, and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels of gold, 23 and said, “Whose daughter are you? Tell me, please, is there room in your father’s house for us to lodge?” 24 So she said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, Milcah’s son, whom she bore to Nahor.” 25 Moreover she said to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge.” 26 Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the LORD. 27 And he said, “Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren.”

What does this first information about young Rebekah tell you about her looks and her character?

How are you like Rebekah? How are you different from her?

Genesis 24:28-58

28 So the young woman ran and told her mother’s household these things. 29 Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban, and Laban ran out to the man by the well. 30 So it came to pass, when he saw the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and when he heard the words of his sister Rebekah, saying, “Thus the man spoke to me,” that he went to the man. And there he stood by the camels at the well. 31 And he said, “Come in, O blessed of the LORD! Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels.” 32 Then the man came to the house. And he unloaded the camels, and provided straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33 Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told about my errand.” And he said, “Speak on.” 34 So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35 The LORD has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. 36 And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and to him he has given all that he has. 37 Now my master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell; 38 but you shall go to my father’s house and to my family, and take a wife for my son.’ 39 And I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’ 40 But he said to me, ‘The LORD, before whom I walk, will send His angel with you and prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son from my family and from my father’s house. 41 You will be clear from this oath when you arrive among my family; for if they will not give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’ 42 “And this day I came to the well and said, ‘O LORD God of my master Abraham, if You will now prosper the way in which I go, 43 behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass that when the virgin comes out to draw water, and I say to her, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,” 44 and she says to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,”—let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.’ 45 “But before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah, coming out with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down to the well and drew water. And I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ 46 And she made haste and let her pitcher down from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels a drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels a drink also. 47 Then I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the nose ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists. 48 And I bowed my head and worshiped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the way of truth to take the daughter of my master’s brother for his son. 49 Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. And if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.” 50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing comes from the LORD; we cannot speak to you either bad or good. 51 Here is Rebekah before you; take her and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as the LORD has spoken.” 52 And it came to pass, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, that he worshiped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth. 53 Then the servant brought out jewelry of silver, jewelry of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother. 54 And he and the men who were with him ate and drank and stayed all night. Then they arose in the morning, and he said, “Send me away to my master.” 55 But her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman stay with us a few days, at least ten; after that she may go.” 56 And he said to them, “Do not hinder me, since the LORD has prospered my way; send me away so that I may go to my master.” 57 So they said, “We will call the young woman and ask her personally.” 58 Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.”

In these verses Abraham’s servant tells Rebekah’s family how he met her, emphasizing the Lord’s blessing and involvement throughout. How does Rebekah’s family respond?

Three simple words (24:58) changed Rebekah’s life forever. Who was she like in her willingness to go where she had never been before?

How would you react if God called you away from home and family? What would have to happen so that you would obey?

Okay, Lord, so this was meant for me. I ask that you work in me this week to accept what your word is penetrating into my heart. I love you and I ask that you continue to mold and stretch me as well as the recipients of this devotional. Work in our lives in a mighty way and help us all to be obedient when we are called.

Day 4
Rebekah Scripture

Genesis 24:67;25:28

67 Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

28 And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

These are some of the sweetest words about marriage found in the Bible. In your own words, describe what you think Isaac and Rebekah’s marriage was like in these early days.

Verse 28 expresses one of the saddest thoughts about parenting found in the Bible. Describe how you think their parents’ favoritism affected Jacob and Esau and their relationship.

Many Children grow up thinking their parents favored one sibling or another. If you have children, how can you avoid such thinking in them?

Day 5
Rebekah’s Legacy of Prayer

“Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.” Genesis 24:60

Reflect on Genesis 27
Praise God because unlike Isaac, who had only one blessing to give his children, God has blessings uniquely designed for each of us.
Offer thanks that God doesn’t wait until we’re perfect to involve us in his plans.
Confess your tendency to try to control the future, rather than trusting God to shape it according to his timetable.
Ask God to protect you from playing favorites with your own children and to trust that he has a generous plan for each one.

Take a few minutes to write a blessing card for each one of your children (if you do not have any, why not write one to your future children, friends children or nephews and nieces.) Us a simple index card or decorate a card with stickers, stencils or drawings. Start by praying for each child, asking God’s blessing on their lives. Then write out the blessings you sense God wants for them. Tuck the blessing cards under their pillows or place them next to their dinner plates. Tell them these are some of the ways you are asking God to bless them. Be sure to keep a copy of each card for yourself so you can make those blessings a subject of frequent prayer and display them as God works in and through these prayers.

Lord, you give us the power to bless our children, through our example, our teaching, our love, and our prayers. May our children surpass us in faith. In all their struggles may they sense your nearness, and may their joy be renewed each morning. May each of them become the kind of person that attracts others to you.