How does Genesis 24:65 demonstrate Rebekah's respect for Isaac and cultural customs? Setting the Scene Abraham’s servant is returning from Mesopotamia with Rebekah, the woman God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife. As the caravan nears Abraham’s camp, Isaac is walking in the field, meditating. The servant identifies Isaac, and Genesis 24:65 records Rebekah’s immediate response: “and asked the servant, ‘Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?’ ‘It is my master,’ the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself.” The Moment of Veiling Rebekah’s first instinct upon learning the man approaching is Isaac is to veil herself. The gesture is simple, yet weighty with meaning. Cultural Context of the Veil • In ancient Near Eastern marriage customs, a bride covered her face when first meeting her betrothed, signaling purity, modesty, and the sacredness of the forthcoming union (cf. Songs 4:1; 6:7). • The veil also conveyed respect for male headship. Later, Paul draws on similar symbolism: “But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head” (1 Corinthians 11:5). • By veiling, Rebekah publicly affirmed that Isaac was now the primary man in her life, replacing her father’s household (Genesis 2:24). What Rebekah’s Action Reveals • Respect for Isaac’s Role – She honors him before even exchanging words, acknowledging him as “my master.” • Submission to God-Ordered Authority – Like Sarah who “obeyed Abraham and called him lord” (1 Peter 3:6), Rebekah steps into the pattern of godly marital order. • Modesty and Purity – Her covered face safeguards intimate revelation for the appropriate moment, aligning with the call to “adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty” (1 Timothy 2:9). • Eagerness to Uphold Custom – Without prompting, she applies the etiquette expected of a betrothed woman, illustrating readiness to integrate into Isaac’s covenant family. • Immediate Obedience – She acts the instant the servant identifies Isaac, echoing her earlier willingness: “I will go” (Genesis 24:58). Lessons for Today • Esteem God-ordained relationships by demonstrating honor in word, demeanor, and appearance. • Embrace modesty as an outward witness of inner devotion to Christ (Proverbs 31:30). • Recognize that small gestures—done promptly and thoughtfully—can speak volumes about heart posture. • Model Rebekah’s readiness to adapt to righteous customs that magnify the holiness of marriage (Hebrews 13:4). |
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