Journey’s End; Lessons Learned from Rebekah’s Story

Rebekah nears her journey’s end. She failed at times, triumphed at times.
What is her legacy? How do you want to be remembered?

2000 Years Ago: Rebekah’s Journey Ends

Rebekah looked at her husband in horror.  “You want me to what?”

Isaac repeated his words, a pained look on his stoic face, hands outstretched toward his enraged wife.

“You… want ME… to say I’m YOUR SISTER?”  Rebekah stuttered.

Isaac nodded.  He hung his head and muttered toward the earth.  Rebekah strained to hear what her husband-of-few-words was saying.  “It will be better this way.  We need King Abimalech to believe you are my sister.  It’s about the wells…  and your safety…” and Isaac’s voice trailed off.

He didn’t seem convinced himself, and Rebekah certainly was not.  But she did as he asked, musing how this was going to turn out.  Isaac was a demonstrative sort of husband; just how was he going to succeed at treating her like a sister?

The deception worked for a little while.

Then one day the King did a double take.  He stood gazing out the window, over toward his visitors from Canaan.  He was about to turn away, when something caught his eye.  Wha-a-at?  That lovely woman was surely Rebekah.  And was that one of his, the king’s men, bothering her?  The King gasped.  No.  That man holding Rebekah in his arms and swooping in for a lover-like kiss was Isaac.  Rebekah’s brother?  “My foot,” the King muttered.  “What is the guy trying to prove?”  And strode toward the door.

Isaac stammered as he tried to explain his reasons for lying to the King.

But they didn’t sound true to anyone, least of all the King.

“Seriously?  You think telling us she’s your sister will keep her safe?  Anyone could have taken advantage of her.  And she’s a whole lot safer being known as your wife!  Enough with the lies.”

Rebekah’s eyes shimmered with laughter.  However he tried, her honest, loving husband couldn’t fool anyone.

Or could he?  Had this somehow played into his success in this strange country?  Was it part of a plan to obtain what he needed from these foreigners?

Learning From Isaac and Rebekah’s Deceit

We tend to judge Rebekah for her fraud when Jacob received the blessing from Isaac.  No, deceit isn’t right. However, she didn’t exactly have a spotless example from her own husband, if we take the above story as POV.  In fact, the Bible is filled with stories of deception, when a hero of God deceived someone or was deceived by another.  Samson.  David.  Ruth (well, that was a little different. More like forcing Obed’s hand.)  And the list goes on.

Bible historians say that deception was admired in that day. Tricking and cunning were valued, because the whole world was cruel and unscrupulous. People needed every talent they had to survive.

At our journey’s end, how do we want to be remembered?

Our journeys in life give us different views and values, most of which are instilled in us by the people who raised us.

However, sometimes, along the way, we acquire false beliefs.

The deceit we practice could be on ourselves.

We believe we are a certain way, or have certain values.  We convince ourselves we are perfect, and no one can give us any helps or tips to change our mindset.  What are we hiding from ourselves?

When I hear that “no failure” statement, in my mind I automatically question “what are you hiding and why”. This is NOT necessarily a bad thing, but it definitely is something that a person has not accepted, moved on from or that tremendously holds him/her back.

Renata Mazu

We must see ourselves as we are

and not as we want to be or want others to think we are.  Seeing ourselves through rose-tinted glasses takes us into a world of pain.  Because one day, the glasses come off. We’re forced to admit who we are.  At journey’s end we have to admit the truth, and that means huge humble pie.

How do we see and admit our own truth?

How do we know when we are deep-down who we should be?

Perhaps more important, don’t question yourself.  Believe in this person God created.  God created you, and He made you something truly great.

Next, don’t play the “she, but I” game.  God created you, and He wants you to be you, not Princess Kate or your pastor’s wife or the home-cooking saint next door.  Celebrate your you-ness.

Focus on your strong points and what you can become, instead of your faults and failures.  Use failures to grow.  Turn them into strengths that create positive change.

Know that at journey’s end, your legacy shows you served a great God,
and you lived who He created you to be.

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The Fruit of the Spirit

Ten “Friday of Preparation” studies align the story of Rebekah in the Bible
with a Fruit of the Spirit, then concluding with the “Legacy” post.
The series begins with “Love.”

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