Topical Bible: Rebekah (Rebecca): Becomes Isaac's Wife

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◄ Rebekah (Rebecca): Becomes Isaac's Wife ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Rebekah, also spelled Rebecca, is a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, known for her role as the wife of Isaac and the mother of Esau and Jacob. Her story is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, chapters 24-27. Rebekah's life and actions have been the subject of much theological reflection, highlighting themes of divine providence, faith, and family dynamics.

Background and Family

Rebekah was the daughter of Bethuel, who was the son of Nahor, Abraham's brother, and Milcah. This makes Rebekah a member of Abraham's extended family, which plays a significant role in her selection as Isaac's wife. She was also the sister of Laban, who later becomes a key figure in the life of Jacob, Rebekah's son.

The Search for a Wife for Isaac

The narrative of Rebekah becoming Isaac's wife begins with Abraham's concern for finding a suitable spouse for his son Isaac. Abraham, desiring to ensure that Isaac marries within his own kin, sends his senior servant to his homeland to find a wife for Isaac. The servant, often identified as Eliezer, embarks on this journey with a clear mission and a prayerful heart, seeking God's guidance.

Upon reaching the city of Nahor, the servant prays for a sign to identify the right woman for Isaac. He asks that the woman who offers water to him and his camels be the one chosen by God for Isaac. As recorded in Genesis 24:15-19 , "Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again. So the servant ran to meet her and said, 'Please let me have a little water from your jar.' 'Drink, my lord,' she replied, and she quickly lowered her jar to her hands and gave him a drink. After she had given him a drink, she said, 'I will draw water for your camels as well, until they have had enough to drink.'"

Rebekah's Willingness and Faith

Rebekah's actions demonstrate her kindness, hospitality, and industrious nature. Her willingness to draw water for the camels, a labor-intensive task, fulfills the servant's prayer and confirms her as God's chosen bride for Isaac. The servant, recognizing God's providence, presents Rebekah with gifts and seeks her family's permission for the marriage.

Rebekah's family, after hearing the servant's account, acknowledges the Lord's hand in the matter and consents to the marriage. Rebekah herself is given the choice to go with the servant, and she agrees, displaying her faith and readiness to embrace God's plan for her life.

Marriage to Isaac

Rebekah's journey to Canaan culminates in her meeting with Isaac. Genesis 24:64-67 describes their first encounter: "And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from her camel 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. Then the servant told Isaac all that he had done. And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death."

Rebekah's marriage to Isaac is marked by love and mutual respect. Her presence brings comfort to Isaac, who is still mourning the loss of his mother, Sarah. Rebekah becomes a matriarch in the lineage of the Israelites, playing a crucial role in the continuation of God's covenant with Abraham.

Legacy and Theological Significance

Rebekah's story is rich with theological insights. Her selection as Isaac's wife underscores the importance of divine guidance and providence in the lives of God's people. Her willingness to leave her family and homeland reflects a deep trust in God's plan, paralleling Abraham's own journey of faith.

Rebekah's life also highlights the complexities of family relationships, particularly in her later years as she navigates the challenges of motherhood and favoritism between her sons, Esau and Jacob. Her actions in securing the blessing for Jacob, though controversial, further the unfolding of God's covenant promises.

In summary, Rebekah's journey from her homeland to becoming Isaac's wife is a testament to God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His divine purposes through willing and obedient individuals. Her story continues to inspire and instruct believers in the virtues of faith, hospitality, and trust in God's sovereign plan.

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Genesis 24:15-67
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 on her shoulder.
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Genesis 25:20
And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
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