A Daring Faith Like Rebekah's

Just a random picture I took last spring. :)

Hi everyone! My Sunday School class has recently started a new Bible study that discusses various women of the Bible, and for the past couple of Sundays we've been going over Rebekah. I just wanted to share something that really stood out to me about her story. :)

So Rebekah is first mentioned in Genesis 24, when Abraham has sent his servant back to his (Abraham's) own country, to find a wife for his son Isaac from among his family. When Abraham's servant arrives in Abraham's home country, he stops and prays to God, saying, "'Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. Let the young woman to whom I shall say, "Please let down your jar that I may drink," and who shall say, "Drink, and I will water your camels"--let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.'" (v.13-14)

Before Abraham's servant even finishes praying, Rebekah comes to the well and offers water both to the servant and his camels. (I just think it's so cool how God answers the servant's prayer immediately!) Once she is finished, the servant asks whose daughter she is and whether there is room in her family's house for him to spend the night. Rebekah replies that she is a member of Abraham's own family (which is just as Abraham wanted!), and that there is plenty of room for him. At this, the servant praises and thanks the Lord for prospering His way.

Once Abraham's servant explains to Rebekah's family why he has come, they understand that it is indeed the Lord's will for Rebekah to marry Isaac. They tell the servant to take Rebekah and go, but I don't think they were expecting that the servant would want to do so the very next day! Naturally, Rebekah's family isn't ready for her to leave so soon, saying, "'Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.'" (v. 55) However, the servant doesn't wish to be detained and is eager to head back to Abraham as soon as possible. So Rebekah's family calls to her and asks, "'Will you go with this man?'" (v. 58)

This is the part that I just found so inspiring. I mean, just imagine all that this simple question entails! By answering yes, Rebekah would be leaving all that she knew behind--her family, her home, her friends--to go to a faraway foreign land and marry someone that she had never met. To be honest, if I were in Rebekah's shoes, I'd be pretty nervous and afraid to say yes!

And yet, that's exactly how Rebekah responds. When her family asks whether she will go or not, she answers with, "'I will go.'" (v. 58) Whatever thoughts and worries might have been whirling through her mind as she was faced with this decision, ultimately she knew that it was God's plan for her to marry Isaac, and she fully, completely trusted in His plans for her life.

All I can think is just wow. What faith it must have taken for Rebekah to say that! That's the kind of faith that I want to have; the kind that's daring, bold, and courageous. I want to fully trust in God to the point where I will willingly go wherever He might lead me, just like Rebekah did. Because really, why shouldn't I? His plans truly are perfect and far greater than any I could ever come up with, just like it says in Jeremiah 29:11: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" What a beautiful promise that is! <3

Thanks for stopping by!

-Molly

P.S. Happy first day of spring!!