Rebekah, the wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob, is a significant matriarch in the biblical narrative. Her story is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, where she plays a crucial role in the unfolding of God's covenantal promises to Abraham's descendants. One notable aspect of Rebekah's life is her displeasure with the wives of her elder son, Esau.

Background

Rebekah was chosen as a wife for Isaac through divine guidance, as recounted in Genesis 24. She bore Isaac two sons, Esau and Jacob, who were twins. From the beginning, there was a prophetic word concerning the two boys: "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger" (Genesis 25:23). This prophecy set the stage for the complex family dynamics that would follow.

Esau's Marriages

Esau, the firstborn, was a skilled hunter and favored by Isaac, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents, and favored by Rebekah. As Esau grew older, he took two Hittite women, Judith and Basemath, as his wives. Genesis 26:34-35 records this event: "When Esau was forty years old, he took as wives Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. And they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah."

Rebekah's Displeasure

Rebekah's displeasure with Esau's choice of wives is significant for several reasons. Firstly, Esau's marriages to Hittite women were contrary to the family tradition of marrying within their own kin, as Abraham had insisted for Isaac (Genesis 24:3-4). The Hittites were part of the Canaanite peoples, whose practices and beliefs were often at odds with the worship of Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Rebekah's concern was not merely cultural but spiritual. She understood the importance of maintaining the purity of the covenantal line through which God's promises would be fulfilled. Her distress is further highlighted in Genesis 27:46 , where she expresses her anguish to Isaac: "I am weary of my life because of these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a wife from among the women of this land, from Hittite women like these, what good is my life?"

Implications and Legacy

Rebekah's displeasure with Esau's wives underscores the biblical theme of covenantal faithfulness and the importance of aligning family choices with God's purposes. Her concern for Jacob's future led to her involvement in ensuring that he received Isaac's blessing, as she believed it was in accordance with God's will (Genesis 27).

Rebekah's actions and her displeasure with Esau's marriages reflect her deep commitment to the divine promises and her role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant and the impact of family decisions on the fulfillment of divine purposes.

In conclusion, Rebekah's life and her response to Esau's marriages highlight the complexities of family dynamics within the context of God's covenant. Her story invites reflection on the significance of spiritual discernment and the pursuit of God's will in the choices we make.Genesis 26:34,35
And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:
Nave's Topical Index

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