Love Story
“And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah to be his wife. Isaac loved her, and he was comforted after his mother’s death.”
Genesis 24:67
We know from our VBS days that Rebekah married Isaac, the son of Abraham, and later became the mother of infamous twins, Esau & Jacob. These stories in Genesis are nothing short of powerful, but let’s slow down and “humanize” these Bible heroes for a moment. Though Abraham and Sarah lived a life of obedience to God, Isaac was nevertheless raised by an elderly couple. Being raised by an older generation myself, I know that can be an underpinning for teasing and awkward conversations on the playground—or in Isaac’s case, the farm. While we know Abraham deeply loved his son, Isaac was almost sacrificed as a pre-teen. Talk about PTSD. Furthermore, Isaac was raised in enemy territory, and endured the loss of his mom with his aging father not far behind.
Cut scene to Rebekah. She is beautiful, hospitable, from a notable family, well-respected—her opinion was of importance to the family patriarch—and courageous for willingly leaving her family to embark a new territory and marry a (wealthy) stranger.
Isaac underwent a long childhood of hard work, potential trauma, and sorrow, yet we read that he quickly loved Rebekah and sought comfort in her. Cue fireworks. What an amazing, selfless woman Rebekah must have been to instantly earn Isaac’s respect and trust after all he had endured!
Genesis 24:67 is one of the first times in scripture we read about love between a man and a woman. As Christians, we know from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians—written about 2,000 years later—husbands and wives are to care for one another and love sacrificially (Ephesians 5:21-33). It is beautiful that we can see such an early example of a godly wife in Rebekah.
If you are a wife, I hope you are encouraged by the spirit of Rebekah—stepping with bold faith and cherishing your marriage. When was the last time you and your husband sought comfort in one another, or in the Lord together?
If you are single and hope to be married, my prayer is that you lean into God’s Word, praying over your future husband wherever he may be now. Prepare your heart now for selflessness and an honoring union.
Jesus, Thank You for making me Your bride first as part of Your church, and second an earthly bride to my husband. Please forgive me where I fall short, and give me the boldness to seek forgiveness and healing when it is needed in my marriage. May I slow down, find small opportunities to earn h and know when my husband yearns for my comfort. Amen.
Taylor Newton
