Genesis 35:16
“And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.” She. She went through a season of barrenness, which made her desperate. Genesis 30:1 “And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.” She blamed her husband for her despair. She was the one whom he loved, yet she had not bare him any children. Genesis 30:2 “And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?” Much like her grandmother-in-law, she decided to take matters into her own hands rather than waiting on the Lord to provide. Genesis 30:3-6 “And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her. And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her. And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son. And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.” She ended up with two sons by Bilhah, Dan and Naphtali. Their names remind us that God judged and heard Rachel’s prayer in the midst of the great struggle within and around her. After that trial of waiting, God remembered Rachel and gave her children. Genesis 30:22 “And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.” She gave birth to her son Joseph, with faith that God would provide another. He would be the portrait of Christ in the Old Testament for every generation afterward to read and learn from. Genesis 30:23-24 “And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach: And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.” She gave birth to Benjamin after Jacob’s name changing experience in Bethel. She would experience hard labour, and end up naming her son while drawing her last breath. Genesis 35:17-18 “And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died ) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.” Rachel serves as an example that what we seek and eventually find may end in sorrow, but God always has a purpose to His will for our lives. Bible Reading: Jeremiah 3-4 | John 8 | Psalm 20
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Genesis 29:35
“And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.” She. She became Jacob’s unplanned first wife. She was Laban’s firstborn daughter who had a sister named Rachel. Jacob fell in love with Rachel the moment he saw her, and worked for their father seven years before he was to wed Rachel. Instead, Laban deceivingly sent Leah to be Jacob’s wife. Genesis 29:25 “And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?” She was not the one he had wanted. Jacob loved her less than he loved Rachel. Genesis 29:30-31 “And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.” Though she was loved less, the Lord granted her children first. She had given birth to Reuben, Simeon, and Levi before she had her fourth child, Judah. His name means praise. Jacob may have loved Rachel more because of her outward beauty, but it was Leah whose inner beauty allowed God to choose her to birth the son of Jacob from whose line Jesus Christ came. God saw her heart. She suffered the pain of being second choice, yet the Lord chose to use her in a great way for His glory. 1 Samuel 16:7 “…for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” Leah serves as an example that God does not look on our outward appearance, but rather He looks upon our hearts. Proverbs 31:30 “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” Bible Reading: Jeremiah 1-2 | John 7 | Psalm 19 Genesis 27:17
“And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.” She. She and her husband each loved a child more than the other, which was a recipe for disaster. Genesis 25:28 “And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.” The struggle between her twin boys became an epic situation full of deception. Rebekah overheard Isaac tell Esau to go out, take venison, and make him the savoury meat which he loved so that he could eat and then bless Esau before he died. She then told Jacob of her plan to deceive his father, and persuaded him to do just as she said. Genesis 27:8 “Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.” She not only gave Jacob the savoury meat, but she prepared it herself. The meat was not the kind that Isaac loved; it was only a form of the real recipe. She prepared the son she loved to deceive her husband so that he could get the blessing that his brother was to be given. She taught him to deceive, and enabled him to do so. Her partiality in her children led to jealousy, strife, and ultimately contention. Rebekah also serves as an example that we can deceive not only ourselves, but also those around us in an effort to fulfill our own will for our lives. Bible Reading: Isaiah 65-66 | John 6 | Psalm 17-18 Genesis 25:21
“And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.” She. She was barren of a child for twenty years after she married Isaac, but was given children because someone prayed. Her husband prayed to the Lord on his wife’s behalf. Isaac desired they have a child, and the Lord provided exceeding abundantly above what he asked. She did not have an easy pregnancy. Genesis 25:22 “And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.” She asked the Lord to speak to her regarding her situation, and He clearly did. Genesis 25:23 “And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” She delivered twin boys who could not be more different. Genesis 25:24-27 “And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them. And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.” Esau and Jacob were given after intercessory prayer was offered. What a picture of how the Lord answers the cry of His people. Rebekah also serves as an example that when we feel barren, God can intervene. When we have a need, He can provide even more than was asked. She once was barren, but ended up doubly blessed. Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Bible Reading: Isaiah 63-64 | John 5 | Psalm 15-16 Genesis 24:64
“And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.” She. She saw the man that God had made for her, and she was so filled with emotion that she lighted off of the camel she was riding. Genesis 24:65 “For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.” She was beautiful, but modest. She covered herself when she realized that her soon to be husband saw her. She became the wife of Isaac, the promised seed of Abraham. Genesis 24:66-67 “And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.” She was loved by Isaac. So much so that her presence comforted him after his mother, Sarah, died. Rebekah also serves as an example that God can hand pick our spouse for us, and then unite us with them through His divine providence. Bible Reading: Isaiah 61-62 | John 4 | Psalm 13-14 Genesis 24:58
“And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.” She. She was willing to go where she felt the Lord was leading her. When she gave Abraham’s servant and his camels drink, she was ignorant of the significance of her actions. She simply did what she felt led to do, unaware that what she did was an answer to someone else’s prayer. Genesis 24:45 “And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.” The servant came to her mother’s house where her brother, Laban, greeted him. After he came in, he began to tell the family the details of how he met Rebekah at the well, and the importance of his quest to find her. He praised the Lord for His direction, then asked the family to oblige him taking her back to his master. Genesis 24:48-49 “And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son. And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.” Their response was favorable, but they requested that she stay with them a certain number of days before she goes. The servant began to plead with them that they must return now. The family gave Rebekah the choice. She was willing to go. Many blessings awaited her because of her willingness to do what the Lord had purposed for her. Genesis 24:60 “And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.” Rebekah also serves as an example of what grace can be found when we are simply willing to go as the Lord directs. Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Isaiah 6:8 “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” Our willingness to go shows our love for Him. Bible Reading: Isaiah 59-60 | John 3 | Psalm 11-12 Genesis 24:14
“And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.” She. She was appointed by the Lord for a specific purpose. The servant begged the Lord to show him who the woman was that He had chosen to be Isaac’s wife. The servant prayed, and the Lord answered. Genesis 24:15 “And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.” She was prepared for what God had planned for her. Genesis 24:16-17 “And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.” She was of the kindred of Abraham, just as he requested of his servant. God answered his prayer for direction and provision. Rebekah serves as an example that the Lord has a purpose appointed just for us. We need only seek to yield to Him to bring us to the people and places He has for us. Bible Reading: Isaiah 57-58 | John 2 | Psalm 9-10 Genesis 19:26
“But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” She. She is not named within the Scriptures. Her husband met and married her within the cesspool of Sodom, and it was only because of his righteousness that they were to be saved from the destruction. The instructions were simple. Genesis 19:17 “And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” She too could have been saved; but her disobedience was a rejection of the salvation the Lord provided led to her fate. Jesus Christ spoke the only three words about her to be recorded in the New Testament. Luke 17:32 “Remember Lot's wife.” She lived in pleasure in Sodom, but was dead in her sin. The Lord made a way for not only her life to be saved, but also a new life to begin. Instead, one look of disobedience led to her grave. She heard the Word of God, but did not heed to His command. Lot’s Wife now serves as an example for all the ages that sin has consequences. If we choose to reject the salvation that the Lord has given us, we too will become a pillar of regret. Luke 17:33 “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” Bible Reading: Isaiah 55-56 | John 1 | Psalm 7-8 Hebrews 11:11-12
“Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.” She. She is one of only two women mentioned in the Hall of Fame of Faith in Hebrews 11. Even though she laughed, even though she was afraid, she is still known for her faith. She gave birth to Isaac in her old age. He was the promised seed, the only child of Abraham’s that God recognized. Genesis 22:2 “And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” The Scripture is silent on where Sarah was or if she even knew about her husband taking their son up Mount Moriah to offer him as a burnt offering. The last time she is mentioned beforehand she tells Abraham to cast out Hagar after Sarah sees Ishmael mocking Isaac. The next time, she has died. Genesis 23:1-2 “And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.” Regardless of how much Sarah did or did not know about the near slaying of her son, her faith shined through her life. Every time she looked at her son, she was reminded that God is Faithful to keep His promises. Sarah also serves as our example and reminder that God is Faithful. His faithfulness should encourage us to stay faithful to Him. Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” Bible Reading: Isaiah 53-54 | Romans 16 | Psalm 5-6 Genesis 18:15
“Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.” She. She lied out of fear when the Lord called her out for laughing in doubt of what He had said He would do. Genesis 18:13-14 “And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” She did not know when this would happen. She had to wait. Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Isaiah 64:4 “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.” Waiting sometimes causes us to fear the unknown. Sarah also serves as our example that even when waiting makes us fearful, God always has a plan to work out what is best for us. Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Psalm 56:3 “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” There is no need to fear when we trust in Him. Bible Reading: Isaiah 51-52 | Romans 15 | Psalm 3-4 |
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