Rebekah (or Rebecca)
Some people are initiators. They help get the ball rolling. Rebekah would easily stand out in this group. Her life was characterized by initiative. When she saw a need, she took action, even though the action was not always right.

It was Rebekah’s initiative that first caught the attention of Eliezer, the servant Abraham sent to find a wife for Isaac. It was common courtesy to give a drink to a stranger, but it took added character to also fetch water for ten thirsty camels. Later, after hearing the details of Eliezer’s mission, Rebekah was immediately willing to be Isaac’s bride.

Several later events help us see how initiative can be misdirected. Rebekah was aware that God’s plan would be channeled through Jacob, not Esau (Genesis 25:23). So not only did Jacob become her favorite; she actually planned ways to ensure that he would overshadow his older twin. Meanwhile, Isaac preferred Esau. This created a conflict between the couple. She felt justified in deceiving her husband when the time came to bless the sons, and her ingenious plan was carried out to perfection.

Most of the time we try to justify the things we choose to do. Often we attempt to add God’s approval to our actions. While it is true that our actions will not spoil God’s plan, it is also true that we are responsible for what we do and must always be cautious about our motives. When thinking about a course of action, are you simply seeking God’s stamp of approval on something you’ve already decided to do? Or are you willing to set the plan aside if the principles and commands of God’s Word are against the action? Initiative and action are admirable and right when they are controlled by God’s wisdom.

1- Strengths and accomplishments

- When confronted with a need, she took immediate action
- She was accomplishment oriented

2- Weaknesses and mistakes

- Her initiative was not always balanced by wisdom
- She favored one of her sons
- She deceived her husband

3- Lessons from her life

- Our actions must be guided by God’s Word
- God makes use even of our mistakes in his plan
- Parental favoritism hurts a family

4- Vital statistics

- Where: Haran, Canaan
- Occupation: Wife, mother, household manager
- Relatives: Grandparents: Nahor and Milcah. Father: Bethuel. Husband: Isaac. Brother: Laban. Twin sons: Esau and Jacob

5- Key verses

"Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother’s tent, and she became his wife. He loved her very much, and she was a special comfort to him after the death of his mother" (Genesis 24:67). "Isaac loved Esau in particular because of the wild game he brought home, but Rebekah favored Jacob" (Genesis 25:28).

Rebekah’s story is told in Genesis 24—27. She is also mentioned in Romans 9:10.

 

Rebekah (or Rebecca)

Daughter of Bethuel the nephew of Abraham, and wife of Isaac. Abraham’s servant conducted her to one, whom she had not before seen—to Isaac, who had in a figure been received back from the dead after having been offered to God on the altar: beautiful type of the saints who form the bride of Christ being led by the Holy Spirit on their journey to be the ‘wife’ of the Risen One "whom having not seen they love," and to whom they can now be companions in spirit, being of His ‘kindred,’ whom He is not ashamed to own as brethren.

Rebekah, when among the Philistines, denied her true relationship with Isaac, and in like manner the professing church has been unfaithful to her Lord.

Twenty years after her marriage Rebecca became the mother of twin-sons, Esau and Jacob. The latter whom God said should be the first, was her favourite son; but she lacked faith, and did not wait for the promised blessing to fall upon Jacob in God’s time, but sought it in her own cunning way. Her death is not recorded, but she was buried with her husband in the cave of Machpelah. #Ge 22:23 Ge 49:31 Ro 9:10. (Ge 24-29)