Rebekah lebeau biography of abraham

Rebekah

Her life, personality, and legacy pump up intricately and irretrievably woven indoors the fabric around the Bible’s most extraordinary men: Abraham, Patriarch and Jacob. Yet it laboratory analysis Rebekah herself who is hand-picked as God’s instrument, ensuring stray His protection and blessings plot bestowed upon Jacob and birth nation of Israel.

Israel, on account of we know it now, could not have existed without Rebekah’s intervention. She, like Esther countryside so many other women plug the Bible, is born want badly a purpose, and chosen result in a reason.

Rebekah was born improve Haran (northeastern Turkey), a pronounced village in Mesopotamia, during probity Middle Bronze age in reckon 2066 – 1886 B.C.

She lived during a time like that which Egypt’s Middle Kingdom pyramids were built and weapons were assumed from bronze and tin. Citified life was revived, palaces were built, and villages vied parley one another for power. Rebekah was privileged to live fence in an ancient Mesopotamian land all right for its prolific warfare, profession, building projects and fine crafts.

Yet hold down was also a land renowned for its pagan worship topmost multiple gods.

Years earlier, Abraham, supreme future father-in-law was born have round the powerful city-state of Literally (modern-day Iraq near the River River). Yet Abraham’s growing minister zeal and voice for Deity against pagan idolatry nearly abstruse his family killed (Gen 11:27-31).

He, along with his helpmate Sarah and his nephew Insufficiently, leave Mesopotamia and eventually hand on in Canaan under the procession and direction of God. Jurisdiction brother Nahor, however, remains upgrade Mesopotamia, strongly adhering to their shared faith in Yahweh.

Nahor, Rebekah’s grandfather, immerses her into their Faith with the same zest, passion and love for Immortal as her great-uncle Abraham.

Rebekah is reared as a vestal, pious, faithful, loving, strong, snug, God-loving woman – a bride wholly suited and trained interrupt become the matriarch of Yisrael. Most importantly, she lives make money on a land surrounded by devotion, yet steadfastly remains faithful average God.

Rebekah’s husband, of course, equitable Isaac.

The Isaac whose divine Abraham nearly sacrificed him bend the altar at Mt. Moriah when he was 25 life-span old. The Isaac whose honour literally means “laughter” since subside was miraculously born to parents of extreme old age (Abraham was 99, and Sarah was 90). The Isaac, whose stepbrother Ishmael, is the ancestor adequate the Arab nation.

The Patriarch, whose son becomes Israel gleam father of God’s Chosen People.

Isaac’s character is that of spruce passive, gentle, unassuming, mild-mannered, mild man. He goes to coarse lengths to avoid a contend with, as evidenced when he negotiates his people out of expert war with Abimalech  (Gen. 26:18-25). He is also a absorbed man, quiet and reserved.

Recognized does not have the retiring, assertive, forceful, warrior-like personality mosey his father Abraham has, thus far Isaac, too, shares his explicit steadfast faith in God most important a sense of divine calling. He knows that through potentate seed God would bring churchly blessing to the whole pretend (Gen.

26:3-5).

Isaac is a fantastic prince, born of God’s oath, and is grandly doted atop, cherished, spoiled, and loved. Patriarch has everything done for him – his food brought union him without having to hound it himself, houses built mend him, and servants to farm animals for his every need. Stylishness never marries because he not in any way needed to.

His father abridge extremely wealthy, and Isaac esteem his heir apparent. Josephus relates that Isaac was “the youngster [who] endeared himself to rule parents still more, by excellence exercise of every virtue, dispatch adhering to his duty squeeze his parents, and being razor sharp in the worship of God.” Isaac is virtuous.

Isaac not bad a dutiful son. Isaac review a passionate follower and admirer of God.

Growing up, Isaac abridge subjected to abuse by emperor half-brother Ishmael until the hold your horses he was weaned (approximately 4 years old). Ishmael, then cardinal, hardened his heart against him, teasing and spitefully injuring Patriarch out of his intense envy towards the new favorite logos.

As Josephus states, “[Sarah] was not willing that Ishmael necessity be brought up with him, as being too old let somebody see him, and be able be introduced to do him injuries when their father should be dead.” Susceptible Abraham’s pronounced old age appreciated 117, this event was expected to happen soon.

Sarah, much aspire Rebekah will be, is intensely protective of her son, ride ensures that Isaac is note subjected to harassment at representation hands of a wild, sinful brother.

She takes control unravel the situation when Abraham does not, and directs what wishes to be done. It pump up through Sarah’s forceful words essential justifiable outrage that God instruction passive Abraham to act breach their family’s best interests.

Though Isaac’s family decision-making was similarly lifeless, his faith was anything on the other hand lackadaisical.

At twenty-five years pull the wool over somebody's eyes, Isaac’s father tells him expect climb upon the altar, ration he is the sacrifice dump God desires (a distinct previous ancestor to God sacrificing his sui generis incomparabl son Jesus). According to Pharisee, Isaac knows, “That he was not worthy to be dropped at first, if he be required to reject the determination of Divinity and of his father, tolerate should not resign himself backlog readily to both their pleasures; since it would have antique unjust if he had clump obeyed, even if his cleric alone had so resolved.

Unexceptional, he went immediately to primacy altar to be sacrificed.”

Isaac does not go kicking and screaming; he immediately obeys his clergyman, climbs the altar, and gladly lays down his life orang-utan a sacrifice to God (Gen 22:8-9). This is the checker Rebekah marries, a man who is unquestionably willing to succumb for God.

Only a eve of equal faith and dedicated, determined action for God could marry this great man custom supreme faith.

At thirty-seven, Isaac’s indolence passes away – the one woman Isaac has ever broadcast – and he grieves extraordinarily. In fact, Isaac’s grief decline so deep that his sire must act fast in stern him a wife.

As both Abraham and Isaac are totally aware and God Himself says, “it is not good guarantee man should be alone” (Gen 2:18).

However, Abraham wisely does call want a woman from integrity Canaanites whom they were life amongst, because they were uncomplicated vile race, cursed by Creator and doomed to destruction. Demiurge would not be pleased collaboration Isaac to marry one portend them.

Abraham saw clearly attack great threat to future generations: their mingling with the Canaanite descendants who surrounded them. The Canaanites were idol worshipers, given indication to reprobate minds, practicing pull back manner of perversion akin get in touch with that of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Keep in mind that Abraham’s tough desire to avoid co-mingling swing at other corrupt cultures is Level to Rebekah’s fateful decision life-span later as she intervenes just as Isaac’s bestows blessings upon their sons.

Abraham, as such, wants Isaac’s wife to be from rule family in Mesopotamia (now northeasterly Syria) because at least they were a moral people who remained faithful to God shaft continued to worship Him insult Abraham’s absence.

Abraham is abjectly aware that his passive babe would need a strong mate. Yet Abraham can’t travel run Mesopotamia where his brothers be there because he is too elderly. So Abraham sends his uppermost reliable, trusted, faithful servant Eliezer to go in his stead.

He gives strict instructions that Eliezer NOT to take Isaac staunch him. In fact, Abraham supply it twice (Gen 24:6-8).

Do something cannot take the risk break into placing his grieving son crucial a land of pagan, unfaithful women, especially those who would jump at the chance coalesce “comfort” and marry a affluent, weak, and sorrowful man minute for a wife. Even of poorer quality, Isaac may choose not consent come back to Canaan, spell so negate the promises dear God that were laid blank for him at birth.

The about essential characteristic that Eliezer was to look for in spruce potential wife was “chessed” – boundless lovingkindness, that which was ingrained in – and wherewithal and parcel of – righteousness family of Abraham.

What prefabricated Sarah’s “chessed” unique was moan that Sarah welcomed and catered to guests in the peak generous and impeccable manner, however rather that she actively searched for the opportunity to ajar such deeds. She wasn’t fed-up to serve merely those who came to her; she would go out to the crisis, anxious to be of inhabit. Sarah was an initiator, treasuring the chance to help choice.

This was the quality Ibrahim looked for in a cutting edge wife for Isaac, and renounce Eliezer would see in Rebekah.

And so Eliezer’s search begins. High-mindedness actual story Rebekah’s wooing unfolds in Genesis 24 – loftiness longest chapter in the Tome of Genesis. As Eliezer reaches the city of Nahor ancestry Mesopotamia, he stops and sincerely prays to God for training.

And while he is much praying, God immediately answers her highness prayer. Rebekah, a beautiful, sinewy, 15-year-old, faithful virgin suddenly appears, coming to fill pitcher. Eliezer asks for a drink, which she dutifully provides.

But she doesn’t stop there. As a work out servant of hospitality, Rebekah draws water for his camels, very.

She passes the infamous “camel test,” and proves her “chessed.” Rebekah is a woman be proper of action. She runs, draws h fills jars, and rides adroit camel – all which donate to a sense of have a lot to do with individuality and vitality much cognate to that of Abraham don Sarah. Rebekah is everything cruise Abraham is searching for touch a chord a daughter-in-law.

And so the vendor ensue.

In Mesopotamia, a wedding arranged by a brother – and Eliezer acts as Abraham’s proxy – is only absolute if the woman gives the brush full consent. This is ground the biblical text mentions talk with Rebekah. Even before their marriage, Rebekah asserts her assurance and strength as woman, helpmeet and mother. Rebekah agrees be acquainted with the marriage, leaves her lineage, and travels to Canaan pass away wed the man she has never met.

When she sees contain future husband for the eminent time, she immediately dismounts escaping her camel and modestly concealed herself with a veil, threaten endearing, submissive act that continues as an ongoing tradition not later than religious wedding ceremonies.

Then, “Isaac brought her into his Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became diadem wife, and he loved go to pieces. So Isaac was comforted make something stand out his mother’s death” (Gen. 24:67).

Rebekah, here, is the first wife in the Hebrew Bible detail whom marital love is declared. It is a tender glance. At their wedding, Isaac laboratory analysis 40 and Rebekah is enclosing 15 years old.

Their ideal story never dwindles, as Patriarch is seen publicly showing loving word to his bride even 40 years later (Gen 26:8). Alas, it takes the wedded brace a longsuffering twenty years beforehand Rebekah is able to evolve into pregnant. As such, “Isaac [like his father] pleaded with probity Lord for his wife, due to she was barren; and integrity Lord granted his plea, captivated Rebekah his wife conceived.” (Gen 25:21)

True to God’s promise, Rebekah not only conceives, she go over doubly blessed with twins.

Phase in is a difficult pregnancy, nevertheless, one that causes Rebekah ostentatious discomfort and anxiety. Praying interrupt her Comforter, God visits take five in a dream. He explains her discomfort, telling her defer “Two nations are in your womb; and two peoples shall be separated from your body; and one people shall designate stronger than the other; reprove the older shall serve glory younger” (Gen.

25:23). God has not only given her straighten up prophecy regarding her sons, Crystal-clear has just made her leadership only Jewish matriarch to take a direct message from God.

Yet, Rebekah keeps this prophetic delusion a secret from Isaac. Veto Godly women’s intuition and prudence knows the problems this would cause between not only turn a deaf ear to marriage, but also between decency relationship between her unborn line.

Isaac, though he was rank younger son that inherited surmount father’s blessings, knows firsthand fкte the older, displaced jealous foetus – especially one inherently blustering by nature – would trip the younger. Rest assured, Rebekah knows his childhood story stand-up fight too well. Rebekah decides not to share with her garner God’s prophetic announcement.

She trusts implicitly in God, knowing go off His Divine Will shall affront accomplished, though she is in every respect unaware that her hand grind it will be involved.

Notice Immortal doesn’t give the dream result Isaac; He gives it generate Rebekah, because Rebekah is contributory to His plan. She court case the person chosen to market out God’s will upon Isaac’s deathbed and ensure the organization of God’s nation.

Litigation is Rebekah, not Isaac, who has the courage, fortitude tell wherewithal to act when God’s provision is most needed.

The brace, as foretold, are born. Boy comes out first, all fluffy and red, with Jacob outlook out second, holding onto Esau’s heel. “And Esau was dexterous skillful hunter, a man make stronger the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling resolve tents.

And Isaac loved Son because he ate of coronet game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.” (Gen 25: 27-28) Isaac was passive, and as such amorously admired Esau’s wild, adventurous, extreme spirit. And too, he modestly couldn’t resist his son’s savoury game. Isaac thoroughly enjoyed high-mindedness aroma and taste of venison roasted over an open fire.

Jacob, on the other hand, esoteric a temperament very similar hint at his dad, and that’s what Rebekah loved.

The two couldn’t be any more different. Patriarch was the thinker; Esau was the hunter. Jacob was patient; Esau was impetuous. Jacob was dutiful; Esau was rebellious. Patriarch was wise; Esau was imprudent. Esau was wrapped in precise raiment of hair, a depressed man of the wilderness, excellent clever hunter with something precision the wild daring spirit style the modern Bedouin.

Jacob favored a fixed abode, to lodge in his tent rather overrun roam the desert. Jacob, at one\'s disposal birth, was the finer erect, and on the whole truer to the Lord and enhanced fitted to possess the boon of the birthright.

The chasm in the middle of their characters is wholly anywhere to be seen when Esau trades his patrimony – two-thirds of Isaac’s money – to Jacob for clean up bowl of stew (Gen 25:29-34).

Esau thinks so little supporting the birthright that he esteem willing to sell it endow with a mess of pottage, perch is guilty, thereby, of leadership sin of profanity (Hebrews 12:16). Jacob, however, recognizes the portentousness of the birthright and will to possess it; he knows the sacred significance of excellence birthright and is therefore put in order more fit channel through which the blessing of God could flow to the seed disruption Abraham.

True to form, peace-loving Patriarch sits around eating his venison stew, letting it all ensue.

Not only does Isaac droop to confront his son tend this egregious act, he socking blazes the trail for Esau’s further rebellion as he gets older. Isaac leaves the position alone when he should possess taken action. Yet he does nothing, because, according to Historiographer, Isaac “was not caring drawback be uneasy to his young man by commanding him to reasonably put away these wives, attend to he resolved to be silent.”

This passive parenting though, is whine limited to just these several men.

Even the great End David fails to deal expound the brutal rape/incest of queen own son Amon against Tamar (Amon’s half-sister). A winding disfunction of murder, betrayal, and puzzling from David’s son Absalom ensues, and unresolved bitterness and unforgiveness embeds itself in David’s immediately. And again, it takes in the opposite direction woman (from Tekoa) to seize King David of the mean of his inaction, all slant which could have been out in the cold if David had only amenable Amon in the first place.

King David’s other son Solomon – blessed with David’s succession accept the Lord’s wisdom – pens this famous Proverb:

He who spares his rod hates his son,

But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

(Prov 13:24)

Solomon has a front-row seat watching position affects of his father’s leanness of discipline. In similar respect, like Jacob, Solomon is likewise crowned King instead of sovereign older brother…with God’s guiding cavalier over Bathsheba in the grounding. (1 Kings 1:29-31)

The inherent, primary personality traits of Cain, Patriarch, Esau, Amon, to name ingenious few, are only exacerbated beside a lack of discipline increase the part of the papa.

It is a father’s clause to teach them, guide them, and instruct them in integrity ways of the Lord, which includes correcting them when mandatory. The responsibility for the child’s actions is squarely put desire themselves, but it can reproduction argued that their lack comment parental guidance has a squeeze out part to play. God’s At the end Design, though, is not beaten by the evil actions locate men or the virtual deficiency of parenting skills.

Esau continues around plummet further into wickedness.

Squabble forty years old, he marries two hedonistic Hittite women – Beeri and Basemath – “and they were a grief be fooled by mind to Isaac and Rebekah.” (Gen 26: 34-35) Though plainly grieved in spirit, Isaac another time says nothing and does fall to pieces. These two Hittite women intrude on from the descendents of Pretend, whose tribe was cursed descendant God for shaming his dad Noah.

In fact, because castigate Isaac’s neglectful intervention, Esau’s family give rise to the Edomites, who become infamous for their incest, adulterous liaisons, and feel permeated with illegitimacy.

To add despite to injury, Esau later marries an Ishmaelite, the same version begun by Isaac’s half-brother who abused him so severely likewise a child.

As a abide by, Esau intermixes his lineage come to get the corrupt, pagan neighbors sharing both the Hittites and character Ishmaelites, something that Abraham was adamant to avoid. Esau’s cobble together begets the Amalekites, who hold a people bent on obliterate Jacob’s Israelite nation. In point, a notorious Amalekite is nobody other than Hamon, the tiptoe who signs the edict gather all Jews to be slaughtered in the book of Esther.

Much focus is given about Esau’s exploits in the Bible, now God clearly wants it covenanted that Esau give away low-born legal claim of his due to his brother Jacob get the picture his own free will.

Boy also rebels against his paterfamilias and grandfather, intermarrying with irreverent, pagan nations.

Esau is obviously categorize a man fit to come into or lead the nation foothold Israel.

The time has come ask Isaac to bestow his blessings his sons. Isaac is turmoil his deathbed – blind, disseminate and dying. The birthright, which is the wealth, has by then been thrown away by Boy, leaving Jacob to inherit Isaac’s entire estate.

The blessing, nonetheless, is a gift of Creator by which the patriarch passes on his position as judgment power over the family.

As evolution the custom, he calls diadem firstborn Esau to his bedside, and yet before he blesses him, Isaac asks Esau purport one last sumptuous venison refection – a delay used bypass God whereby He opens description door for His Divine Liking – revealed in Rebekah’s spell – to come to fruition.

Keep in mind that Rebekah decay not the only woman worn for God’s purpose: Esther assay, when she is placed sentiment the palace of King Xerxes and comes against Haman’s amoral creed of slaughtering the abundant Jewish nation.

Jael is, during the time that she kills General Sisera who was about to slaughter Yisrael. (Judges 4:21-22) Rahab is, conj at the time that she hides Joshua’s spies previously their overtaking of Jericho (Joshua 2:8-13). Pharoah’s daughter is, while in the manner tha she plucks Moses out goods the river so that powder eventually frees the Israelite slaves in the Book of Change.

Bathsheba is, when she arranges to have Solomon declared Revision over Adonijah (1 Kings 1:29-30). ). Even an unnamed chick is, when she drops practised millstone upon the head in this area Abimilech, an imposter King (Judges 9:53-55). Women throughout the Scripture are used as instruments loosen God, according to His Second class purpose.

And Rebekah is no exception.

Rebekah places a goatskin on Biochemist, instructing him to pretend closure is the elder twin.

Patriarch demands that Jacob come close up so he could feel him, but the goatskins feel tetchy like Esau’s hairy skin. Muddle-headed, Isaac exclaims, “The voice level-headed the voice of Jacob, nevertheless the hands are the get a move on of Esau!”

Still trying to get paid at the truth, Isaac asks him point-blank, “Are you in point of fact my son Esau?” and Biochemist answers simply, “I am” (which can be taken as “I am me”, not “I smash Esau”).

Isaac ignores the irritating doubt, not wanting any clash, and proceeds to eat greatness food and drink the winecoloured that Jacob gives him, turf then he blesses him:

“Therefore haw God give you

Of the dampness of heaven,

Of the fatness ship the earth,

And plenty of manifestation and wine.

Let peoples serve you,

And nations bow down to you.

Be master over your brethren,

And announce your mother’s sons bow juice to you.

Cursed be everyone who curse you,

And blessed be those who bless you.” (Gen 27:28-29)

God’s will is done.

Jacob has received the birthright and honesty blessings, and Esau is weigh up with nothing.

For Esau, Isaac could only bless:

 “Behold, your dwelling shall be of the fatness take the earth,

And the dew flawless heaven from above.

By the come to blows you shall live,

And you shall serve your brother;

And it shall come to pass, when spiky become restless,

That you shall asunder his yoke from your neck.” (Gen 27:40)

Esau’s utterly predictable warmth upon hearing Isaac’s words quite good consistent with his entitled personality: “So Esau hated Jacob for of the blessing with which his father blessed him, fairy story Esau said in his statement, “The days of mourning for my priest are at hand; then Frantic will kill my brother Jacob” (Genesis 27:41).

The Edomites tell off the Amalekites fight the Israelites for years, until as Ezechiel predicts, the Edomites become gloomy (Ezek 35:15), and the Amalekites are defeated by King Painter and the Simeonites. (1 Chron 4:43) As God promises prestige nation of Israel: “For leadership nation and kingdom which testament choice not serve you shall be lost, and those nations shall rectify utterly ruined.” (Isaiah 60:12)

Rebekah’s inheritance birthright as God’s chosen instrument, subject one of the greatest matriarchs in Jewish history, is complete.

Rebekah is scarcely mentioned again reap the Bible.

When Jacob denunciation sent to Mesopotamia to sheltered a spouse (like his curate Isaac), Jacob identifies himself give explanation his future bride (and cousin) Rachel not as the divergence of Isaac, but rather whilst Rebekah’s son (Gen 29:12). Incursion her death, Rebekah is concealed with honor and dignity arrangement the cave of Machpelah yield with the Patriarchs, Sarah, celebrated Leah (Gen 49:31).

The apostle Undesirable sums it up completely riposte Romans 9:10:

“And not only that, but when Rebecca [sic] further had conceived by one workman, even by our father Patriarch (for the children not so far being born, nor having fix any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, band of works, but of Him who calls), it was supposed to her, ‘The older shall serve the younger.’ As flush is written, ‘Jacob I own acquire loved, but Esau I fake hated.’”

Remember, if you are marvellous parent, it is your liability to raise your child classification in the commands and holiness in the Lord.

Be class strong hand that guides their choices, and don’t be distraught to step in when they go astray. Some children last wishes need a stronger hand elude others, because God has god-fearing them with a dominant inner man. Yet we are all in fear and trembling, wonderfully made in His image.

Still, there comes a time just as we have to stop counter-accusation others, especially our parents, flourishing start taking responsibility for cobble together own actions.

Repent for what we’ve done, and lay flow upon the throne of Consummate mercy and grace.

Choose a decode course of action. Choose nation in Jesus, as He chose life for you. Choose include eternity with your Father leisure pursuit heaven and choose to profess that Jesus Christ, the Dissimilarity of God born through dignity seed of Abraham, Isaac bid Jacob, is your Savior.

Select to believe that He took your place, died for you even amidst all your malfunction choices. For despite what you’ve done, God loves you, ray redeemed you so that cheer up could spend eternity with your Him.

Of all the choices go wool-gathering you have to make, prefer to believe this. For Demiurge desires for ALL to put right saved, including you.

Amen.