Rebekah

Her name means tie, to secure, to bind. Rebekah in the Bible was the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau. Abraham was seeking a wife for his son, Isaac, but did not want Isaac to marry a Canaanite. Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac. He prayed specifically that whichever young woman provided water for him and his camels would be God’s choice for Isaac’s wife. The servant came upon Rebekah. Isaac and Rebekah were married, Rebekah could not have children. Isaac prayed for his wife; the Lord answered his prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant. Rebekah bore Jacob and Esau, the first twins mentioned in the Bible. From these twins came two conflicted nations. God gave Rebekah a prophecy during her pregnancy. The twins were often fighting against one another in her womb, and she asked the Lord why. The Lord told her she had two nations in her womb and those nations would come against one another. This prophecy came true. Jacob, whose name was later changed to Israel, became the father of the twelve tribes of Egypt. Esau became the father of the Edomites, who warred against Israel for ages and were finally wiped out.

Esau was born first, Isaac’s favorite son. Jacob was Rebekah’s favorite. The firstborn, Esau was due the birthright from his father, but Rebekah helped Jacob deceive Isaac so that the blessing would fall to the younger son instead of the eldest.

When Esau discovered his mother and brothers deceit, he planned to kill Jacob. Rebekah devised a plan to help save her favorite son, escape his brother's angry plan to kill him. It again  involved deceiving her husband. Rebekah made up an excuse to send Jacob to her brother, Laban, to look for a wife for himself. Deceit was apparently a family trait.

Rebekah’s marriage to Isaac was the result of God’s providence, her pregnancy was an answer to prayer, and the lives of her sons fulfilled prophecy. Rebekah’s decision to lie and deceive her own husband is an example of how we as human beings cannot destroy or change the plans of God and how God can ultimately bring about His will, through His mercy and wisdom, despite our sin.

Rebekah's Weaknesses: Scriptures found in Genesis

Took money for service (24:30)                                                                                                                       Practiced favoritism between her children (25:28)                                                                                                       Poor mothering skills (26:34)                                                                                                                                     Her children were irresponsible, liars, and married unbelievers, among other things (26:34)                       Manipulative (27:6-12)                                                                                                                                                 Rash in speech (27:13)                                                                                                                                           Unsubmissive and disrespectful to husband to get her way (27:6-12)                                                               Deceitful (27:15)                                                                                                                                                             Wise in her own eyes. She thought she knew what was best to the point that she caused her son to sin to get it.

Rebekah's Strengths: Scriptures found in Genesis

Attractive (24:16)                                                                                                                                                                 Virgin (24:16)                                                                                                                                                                       Strong (24:15)                                                                                                                                                               Servant’s heart (24:19)                                                                                                                                                     Diligent (24:19)                                                                                                                                                       Wholehearted (24:19)                                                                                                                                                       Kind (24:18) Draw water until the camels are finished drinking)                                                                   Hospitable (24:25)                                                                                                                                                             Bold (24:58)                                                                                                                                                                         Modest (24:65)

With all the information we have gotten on Rebekah in this lesson, we should never lie, cheap or manipulate any situation in our lives, God’s plan will ultimately override anything we plan without Him or that isn't His will. Rebekah not only showed poor judgment as a mother, but showed her children she had favorites and was not being a submissive wife to her husband.

Rachel ~Wife of Jacob / Mother of Joseph & Benjamin  

Rachel

Her name means "ewe" or "female sheep". Rachel was the wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. She is known for her beauty, her love for Jacob, and her struggles with infertility. Rachel loved Jacob deeply and stood by him during her father's deceptions. Rachel was jealous of her sister Leah and sometimes acted manipulatively to gain Jacob's favor. Rachel was merciful and sacrificed for her sister. She was a quiet character who occasionally spoke her mind and was able to keep secrets, a quality that she passed on to her children. Rachel's rivalry with her sister reflects the intense desire for children, seen as a divine blessing and crucial for social status. In her distress, Rachel says to Jacob, "Give me children, or I shall die!”. Subsequently, she offers her maid Bilhah to Jacob as a surrogate, and Bilhah bears two sons, Dan and Naphtali. Rachel's longing for her own children is finally fulfilled when she conceives Joseph, saying, "God has taken away my reproach". Joseph becomes Jacob's favorite son, which sows seeds of discord among his brothers.

Rachel later bears Benjamin, a second son but tragically dies during childbirth. She names him Ben-oni, meaning "son of my sorrow," as she dies,though Jacob calls him Benjamin,meaning "son of the right hand". Rachel is buried on the way to Ephrath (Bethlehem), and Jacob sets a pillar upon her grave, known as Rachel's Tomb.

Rachel is portrayed as a woman of enduring love and tragic loss, her life reflecting the complexities of family relationships and the deep desire for children. Rachel is remembered as a symbol of the suffering and resilience of her descendants, especially during times of exile and hardship. Jeremiah references her as a mother weeping for her children, an emblem of hope and divine promise for the future redemption of Israel.

Rachel holds great significance in the Bible for various reasons. As the Israelites'  literal and spiritual ancestor, she is an example of maternal devotion. Her life also represents hope and endurance in times of suffering. Her story is an integral part of biblical history.

Overcoming challenges

Rachel overcame her jealousy of Leah and allowed Leah to marry Jacob and have children.                 Rachel mothered Joseph and Benjamin after being barren for many years.                                                         Rachel's story shows that God keeps his promises, even in difficult circumstances. 

Strengths 

Rachel was charismatic and appealed to others.                                                                                             Rachel was a shepherd.                                                                                                                                          Rachel's story can teach us to pray, trust, and wait on God. 

We can learn a lot from Rachel, it was through her love, loyalty and her ability to sacrifice that God was able to bless her. So it is for us women today. God never shows up when we want, but He always shows up right on time.

This concludes lesson 2 of our "Women of The Bible Series" Tuesday Winter Bible Study. We will post   again on next Tuesday February 4, 2025. Please send any questions, comments, or suggestions to admin@urbeauty4ashes.com or if you're on blogger leave them here. Thank you for reading and remember I love you with the love of the Lord. Until next lesson, be blessed. 💞☺️💞