Abraham did not want his son Isaac to marry a Canaanite, so he sent his servant to his homeland in search of a bride.
Once in Mesopotamia, the servant prayed, “Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”
Before he had finished his prayer, a beautiful young woman appeared at the well to draw water. Not only did she give him a drink of water, she also offered to water his camels. She was Nahor’s (Abraham’s brother) granddaughter and Abraham’s great-niece.
Rebekah took him home so he could lodge for the night with her family. The servant told her brother Laban about his quest and how God had answered his prayer. Their reply was one of faith.
“Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, ‘The thing comes from the LORD; we cannot speak to you either bad or good. Here is Rebekah before you; take her and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as the LORD has spoken.’”
Genesis 24:50-51 (NKJV)
Rebekah’s willingness to leave her family, follow Abraham’s servant to a distant land, and pledge herself to a man she had never met is evidence of her own faith. Although Isaac loved her, she was barren for 20 years. When Isaac was 60 years old, he pleaded with the Lord on behalf of Rebekah and God granted his request to open her womb.
“Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.” Genesis 24:21 (NKJV)
In faith, Rebekah married Isaac trusting God’s will for her future. However, she didn’t trust God to act on behalf of Jacob (her favorite son). God told her before the twins were born that; the older would serve the younger. Instead of waiting on God to fulfill this promise, she hatched a plan to trick Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing reserved for a first-born son.
“But the children struggled together within her; and she said, ‘If all is well, why am I like this?’ So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her: ‘Two nations are in your womb Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger.’”
Rebekah’s willful disobedience served to gratify her own will. But even though she was rebellious and acted in a manner God had not intended or desired, He remained faithful to the promise He gave Abraham.
“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.”
Genesis 17:4-6 (NKJV)
Rebekah’s waywardness came with a cost. She sent Jacob away for Esau threatened to kill him. She never saw her beloved son again. God ordained Rebekah to be a part of the genealogy of Jesus. Although she was flawed, God remained faithful to His promises.
“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.”
2 Timothy 2:13
“The Lord is righteous in all His ways and faithful in all He does.” Psalm 145:17 (NIV)
Should you be tempted to step outside of God’s will and make things happen in your time, think twice. God’s timing is perfect and He knows what is best for us. His ways are always above our ways. He is in control and impossible is not in His vocabulary. His word is faithful and true, including His promises. Watch and wait. You will be amazed at how He brings things to fruition. I wonder what would have happened if Rebekah had waited on God and set her schemes aside.