Genesis 24 — Rebekah
Genesis Chapter 24 is a beautiful love story. Margin notes of the Amplified Bible state that this chapter illustrates the love of god the Father, who sends the Holy Spirit to find a bride for His Son, Jesus Christ. Rebekah, the chosen bride for Isaac, future mother of Jacob, and grandmother to the twelve tribes of Israel, is a type of the church of Jesus Christ. This profile on Rebekah shows us the inner spirit of servanthood in Rebekah and is a type for us, the Church as Bride-to-be.
FAIR TO LOOK UPON – Gen 24:25-17
The King James Version states that Rebekah was “very fair to look upon.” Other translations say “beautiful” and “attractive.” Although it has been said that beauty is only skin deep, I disagree. I believe that our countenance (facial expressions and body language) reflect the beauty within us. A joyful spirit, warm heart, and compassionate eyes transform and bring radiance to any woman.
INDUSTRIOUS – Gen 24:18-21
We see such industry in these verses. The fact that the word “quickly” is used twice is an indication that Rebekah’s actions and the spirit in which she completes them is praiseworthy. The Full Life Study Bible comments, “Watering camels would be a difficult and laborious task. Any young woman who would voluntarily agree to such a task would be demonstrating an inner spirit of submission, helpfulness, and willingness to serve.”
HOSPITABLE – Gen 24:22-24
As Abraham’s servant, Eliezer, rewards Rebekah with gold ornaments, he asks who she is and where he might find lodging. Her response is, “We have plenty enough.” One of the great lessons taught throughout the Bible is hospitality to strangers with our homes and possessions. It is a reminder to us as to where our blessings come from and to whom they belong. As we open our hearts, as well as our homes, the spirit of hospitality within us expresses Jesus to others.
OBEDIENT – Gen 24:56-58
One of the most poignant verses of this account comes after the marriage agreement. As Abraham’s servant wants to leave immediately, Rebekah’s family asks her desire. Her response was simply, “I will go.” How often do the words, “I will go” catch in our throats when the Holy Spirit calls upon us?
Similar questions were also asked of Deborah, Esther and Mary, the mother of our Lord. What do we learn from their responses?
FRUITFUL – Gen 24:60
As Rebekah prepares to depart, her family sends her off with a blessing, “Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands, may your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.” No matter what we do, as we leave our parents’ home, this blessing is for all women. May we increase. And may our offspring (the fruits of our labor) bring glory to God and possess the gates of ours and His enemies!
Prayer Pause
Isaiah 54:2,3 “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your states. For your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.”
“Our sister, May you increase to thousands upon thousands, May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.”
A personal note here –I reviewed what others have said about Rebekah and it’s not very flattering. That kind of disturbed me.
Smith’s Bible Dictionary Rebek’ah
(ensnarer ), daughter of Bethuel, (Genesis 22:23) and sister of Laban, married to Isaac. She is first presented to us in (Genesis 24:1) … where the beautiful story of her marriage is related. (B.C. 1857.) For nineteen years she was childless: then Esau and Jacob were born, the younger being the mother’s companion and favorite. (Genesis 25:19-28) Rebekah suggested the deceit that was practiced by Jacob on his blind father. She directed and aided him in carrying it out, foresaw the probable consequence of Esau’s anger, and prevented it by moving Isaac to send Jacob away to Padan-aram, (Genesis 27:1) … to her own kindred. (Genesis 29:12) Rebekah’s beauty became at one time a source of danger to her husband. (Genesis 26:7) It has been conjectured that she died during Jacob’s sojourn in Padan-aram.
Easton’s Bible Dictionary Rebekah
a noose, the daughter of Bethuel, and the wife of Isaac (Genesis 22:23; 24:67). The circumstances under which Abraham’s “steward” found her at the “city of Nahor,” in Padan-aram, are narrated in Genesis 24:27. “She can hardly be regarded as an amiable woman. When we first see her she is ready to leave her father’s house for ever at an hour’s notice; and her future life showed not only a full share of her brother Laban’s duplicity, but the grave fault of partiality in her relations to her children, and a strong will, which soon controlled the gentler nature of her husband.” The time and circumstances of her death are not recorded, but it is said that she was buried in the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 49:31).
Hitchcock’s Bible Names Rebekah: fat; fattened; a quarrel appeased
Strong’s Number: 07259 | Word Origin from an unused root probably meaning to clog by tying up the fetlock
Definition Rebekah = “ensnarer” daughter of Bethuel, sister of Laban, wife of Isaac, and mother of Esau and Jacob
Matthew Henry Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible Chapter 24 *
“She was so well qualified that in all respects she answered the characters he wished for in the woman that was to be his master’s wife, handsome and healthful, humble and industrious, very courteous and obliging to a stranger, and having all the marks of a good disposition. When she came to the well (v. 16), she went down and filled her pitcher, and came up to go home with it. She did not stand to gaze upon the strange man and his camels, but minded her business, and would not have been diverted from it but by an opportunity of doing good. She did not curiously nor confidently enter into discourse with him, but modestly answered him, with all the decorum that became her sex. What a degenerate age do we live in, in which appear all the instances of pride, luxury, and laziness, the reverse of Rebekah’s character, whose daughters few are!”
Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition) Chapter 24
Interestingly, the study notes centered on Abraham and his “unnamed” servant [Holy Spirit]. I liked his remarks on servant:Gen 24:66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.
Servant
This is the model servant:
(1) he does not run unsent, Genesis 24:2-9.
(2) goes where he is sent, Genesis 24:4,10.
(3) does nothing else;
(4) is prayerful and thankful, Genesis 24:12-14,26,27.
(5) is wise to win, vs. Genesis 24:17,18,21. (Cf) John 4:7.
(6) speaks not of himself, but of his master’s riches and Isaac’s heirship, Genesis 24:22,34-36;Acts 1:8.
(7) presents the true issue, and requires clear decision, Genesis 24:49.
