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!!

Comments

  1. Wow, I haven't thought about this. Thank you so much for sharing it. It is such an inspriation!

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    1. I'm so glad you found this post inspiring! I wasn't very familiar with Rebekah's story up until recently, so I'm so thankful that my Sunday School class has started this Bible study. It's really made me realize how brave Rebekah was! :)

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    2. That is so awesome that you have been able to be a part of that!!! :)

      You definitly don't have to if you don't want to, but I tagged you. :)
      http://moviesmeetmatch.blogspot.com/2017/05/book-tag-tag-im-it.html

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  2. "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed..." (Mathew 17:20)
    In fact, I wish all of us have such a faith. To understand, completely, how God love us and to understand His plans for our lives are good, pleasant, and perfect. If all of us understand this, we wouldn’t have any doubt and we would be obedient with joy because our God is looking after us always.
    I want the same faith that Rebekah had. :D

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    1. I completely agree with what you said, Miss Josephine! Thanks for your comment. :)

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  3. That story has always been inspiring to me. The faith of Abraham's servant, God's response, Rebekah's strength to draw water for that many camels (!!), and her immediate trust that going with the servant was the right thing to do.
    Thanks for sharing Molly!

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    1. Oh yes, the fact that Rebekah was willing to make all those trips to water the servant's camels was just amazing.
      I'm so happy you enjoyed this post! :)

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  4. I totally agree. Rebekah's faith was incredible. I have always loved her story and her courage in doing what she knew to be right even though it was a very hard decision!

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    1. Incredible is the perfect word for it! I totally agree with you. :)

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  5. Wow! I seriously enjoy this post/devotional! Your insights into Rebekah's choices and, ultimately, her faith are simply wonderful.

    Thank you for helping me see this story from such a wonderful perspective!

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    1. Aww, thanks Dad! I really am so glad that my class has started this Bible study at church; otherwise, I might not have looked at Rebekah's story from this perspective, either! :)

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  6. Wow. Lovely post! I've never thought about this before, but it's so amazing and inspiring <3

    New GFC follower :)

    Amy @ A Magical World Of Words

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  7. Thanks for sharing this!!

    https://tizziestidbits.wordpress.com

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