Women of the Bible Series Bible Study: Lesson 3

 

Welcome ladies to Lesson 3

 "Women of the Bible" Online Bible Study

Sorry for the delay in posting the 3rd Lesson. I was in the middle of some personal obligations.

Last lesson we talked about Deborah, a female judge in the old testiment days. She was very straight forward and a mighty woman of God. This lesson is going to be on a woman who was betrothed and gave birth to twin sons. Her name is Rebecca.

First mention of Rebecca is at the well of Aram-naharaim. Genesis 24:1-27. She came from a well-to-do family in upper Mesopotamia, which is now in Northeastern Syria. Rebecca was beautiful, entergetic, and strong-willed.  She was working, which showed she wasn't lazy and she wasn't shy. Her approachable personality enabled herto speak to the men who Abraham sent to find Issac a wife. Issac was the son of Abraham and Sarah. Rebecca impressed the men at the well where she was working. It seemed Rebecca impressed all the people she came into contact with. She was a resourceful young woman who would later become the wife for Issac they were searching for. Abraham's men offered her valuable gifts, which she accepted. Rebecca then led the men to her home and introduced them to her family. Her brother invited them to stay in his household. Rebecca and her family accepted a proposal of marriage on behalf of Isaac.

Rebecca's betrothal and marriage gives us a picture of the marriage practices among the early Hebrew people. Marriages were arranged between families rather than between individuals themselves. There were also legal procedures to be followed in Mesopotamia. Marriages arranged by a brother was only valid if the woman gave her full consent. Which is why biblical text mentions consultation with Rebecca.Genesis 24:8 As she went to meet her new husband, she felt like she made the right decision. When the two met, it was love at first sight. Issac took Rebecca to his mothers old tent which was now hers. They didn't conceive early in their marriage, which was a sign of not having favor with God. Eventually they were blessed to become pregnant. Her pregnancy was difficult and the babies moved constantly inside causing her no peace. Rebecca decided to consult the Lord about her condition, making her the 1st woman heard of to do so. When she sought the Lord, He told her this:

"Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples born of you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger." Genesis 25:23. Rebecca would give birth to twins, Esau and Jacob. The struggle in her womb was a sign that there was to be a lifelong struggle between Esau and Jacob, and a continuing struggle between their descendents, the Edomites and the Israelites. Rebecca would have to make decisions regarding her sons that would have different outlooks and views from different people. 

Here are some attributes of Rebecca 

She was a strong willed,beautiful, energetic, shrewd woman. She would later marry an older man, play favorites with her sons, and betray one of her sons. Not your perfect woman, but nonetheless human. Also used for God's purpose.

Who among us are Rebecca's 

Lord, thank you for being a God of love, grace and mercy. Thank you for seeing us through your eyes and for showing us that we are who you say we are. Even though we are not perfect, you love us and will get the glory in every situation concerning us. Your word says in Romans 8:28  "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. " We are you creation and if we abide in you, you will abide in us. Thank you for life. We ask for your guidance and for your planned purpose to be made know in our lives. These things we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

God bless you ladies for joining us today for "Women of the Bible Series" Lesson 3 .As always it's been a pleasure. Please leave any comments or questions below. If you need to contact us for any reason, you may do so at

urbeauty4ashes@gmail.com

Blessings, Miranda