I don't have a *whole* lot to post here, so consider this a "light week".
At the end of Genesis 24, it says that Isaac was comforted by Rebekah after his mother's death. I wondered whether this could be one of the reasons that Abraham didn't find a son for him earlier in his life - so that Rebekah could be a comfort to him. Has God ever brought someone into your life at a time where you needed comfort?
Sarah was barren before she had Isaac. Rebekah was also barren, as we'll see in a few chapters. Can you find any other similarities between Rebekah and Sarah?
In Genesis 23:1, the NASB translation says "Now Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah." However, when most people are noted as dying, it says much less, just that "so and so lived x years, and then they died." - But "these were the years of the life of Sarah" brings a sense that Sarah's life was very important. What was it about Sarah that would make her worthy of such an honor?
In Genesis 25, it says that Abraham had more sons through another wife. Yet, before he dies, he sends them away. Why would Abraham do this? Was this an act of faith, cowardice, or something else?
3 comments:
Hmm... Rebekah and Sarah similarities...
Rebekah and Sarah both left their family (Terah's line) and homeland (Haran) to follow God's destiny for them.
Rebekah and Sarah were both "beautiful" (Gen 12:11, 24:16)
Rebekah and Sarah both heard from God
Rebekah and Sarah both had husbands who called them "sister" to protect themselves
Rebekah and Sarah were both grieved by women who were not part of the "family" (Hagar for Sarah, and Ishmael's wives for Rebekah)
Rebekah and Sarah both acted to protect their sons (Sarah complained about Ishmael, and Rebekah got Issac to send Jacob away to keep Esau from killing him)
Both were buried in the cave in the field of Macpeleh.
Significance? History repeats itself.... time is cyclical. Also, God chooses not only the "men of God" but the "women of God"... not only the fathers of His people, but also the mothers.
This is a comfort, knowing there is a big picture of which we are a part. He has each of us in this place, for this time. What we are doing isn't "new" or unique, but it is very significant and essential to His story... that is... History!
Even more than how are Sarah and Rebekah similar to each other, I wonder how many similarities we each as individual women have in common with them? I hope to say I am one who can give comfort to someone while mourning. I want to be thought of as beautiful, not only outside but inside too. I want to hear from God(more). I want God to do miraculous things through my barreness (not necessarily pertaining to my ability to have children persay just that fruitfulness come in ways that you know God has done works through my inability). Live a full life as Sarah did. I could go on and on.... Consider sisters how would you like to be similar to these women of God? Ask Him how do you fit into HIStory?
I want to leave my home (heh heh heh)
I've also experienced fruitfulness from barrenness... the miracle of pouring out from nothing...
Post a Comment