Weird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day 16
Weird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis
Weird – “of strange or extraordinary character.”
Normal – “conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern”
Yesterday, we left the scene of the well, where Rebekah had shown radical hospitality to Abraham’s servant. God had answered the servant’s prayer to show him a sign…a woman who would not only offer him a drink of water, but who would offer to draw water for his 10 camels. The beautiful, industrious Rebekah was that special young woman!
The servant (Eliezer, we think), then produces a gold nose ring and two gold bracelets, and asks if Rebekah’s family can give him lodging for the night. She gladly takes Eliezer and the camels home to meet the family. I feel sure that Eliezer knows by now that God has prepared the way for him! So, when they get to Rebekah’s home, Eliezer explains the turn of events that brought him to Nahor, and how that he hopes that Rebekah will come back with him to Canaan (24: 33-49). What will the answer be? That starts with Rebekah’s father, Bethuel.
Bethuel, and Rebekah’s brother, Laban, agree that God has clearly had a hand in this, picking Rebekah to be Isaac’s wife. “This is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; take her and go…” (24: 50, 51)
But what I want to know is: Did Rebekah have a choice in the matter? On the surface, it looks like she did not. But let’s consider… Rebekah chose to receive the gold nose ring and bracelets from Eliezer. She allows Eliezer to put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arm. (24: 37) As weird as this sounds to us, it is like a woman today allowing someone to put an engagement ring on their finger. And then after Eliezer gives the gifts to the family that he had brought along, he gets up the next morning ready to head back to Canaan. But Laban and Rebekah’s mom say, “Let’s wait for 10 days.” Are they having second thought?
Eliezer says, “Now that the Lord has given me success on my journey, don’t delay me.” Now comes the turning point in the story, to me. Rebekah’s brother and mother call Rebekah in, and ask her our question for the day: “Will you go with this man?” Rebekah replies, “I will go.”
That simple reply shows both Rebekah’s wisdom and her faith. She is wise enough to know that God is at work here, and that going with Eliezer to be Isaac’s wife is the wise thing to do. But her faith…to go into the great unknown, trusting that God will take care of you…putting your future into the Lord’s hands… This is what makes Rebekah stand out, and is an example for us to take to heart today.
Reflection: Where is God asking you to step out in faith?
Action: Before every decision today, ask: “What is the wise and faithful thing to do?”
Pastor Sam
Weird – “of strange or extraordinary character.”
Normal – “conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern”
- Merriam Webster
Yesterday, we left the scene of the well, where Rebekah had shown radical hospitality to Abraham’s servant. God had answered the servant’s prayer to show him a sign…a woman who would not only offer him a drink of water, but who would offer to draw water for his 10 camels. The beautiful, industrious Rebekah was that special young woman!
The servant (Eliezer, we think), then produces a gold nose ring and two gold bracelets, and asks if Rebekah’s family can give him lodging for the night. She gladly takes Eliezer and the camels home to meet the family. I feel sure that Eliezer knows by now that God has prepared the way for him! So, when they get to Rebekah’s home, Eliezer explains the turn of events that brought him to Nahor, and how that he hopes that Rebekah will come back with him to Canaan (24: 33-49). What will the answer be? That starts with Rebekah’s father, Bethuel.
Bethuel, and Rebekah’s brother, Laban, agree that God has clearly had a hand in this, picking Rebekah to be Isaac’s wife. “This is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; take her and go…” (24: 50, 51)
But what I want to know is: Did Rebekah have a choice in the matter? On the surface, it looks like she did not. But let’s consider… Rebekah chose to receive the gold nose ring and bracelets from Eliezer. She allows Eliezer to put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arm. (24: 37) As weird as this sounds to us, it is like a woman today allowing someone to put an engagement ring on their finger. And then after Eliezer gives the gifts to the family that he had brought along, he gets up the next morning ready to head back to Canaan. But Laban and Rebekah’s mom say, “Let’s wait for 10 days.” Are they having second thought?
Eliezer says, “Now that the Lord has given me success on my journey, don’t delay me.” Now comes the turning point in the story, to me. Rebekah’s brother and mother call Rebekah in, and ask her our question for the day: “Will you go with this man?” Rebekah replies, “I will go.”
That simple reply shows both Rebekah’s wisdom and her faith. She is wise enough to know that God is at work here, and that going with Eliezer to be Isaac’s wife is the wise thing to do. But her faith…to go into the great unknown, trusting that God will take care of you…putting your future into the Lord’s hands… This is what makes Rebekah stand out, and is an example for us to take to heart today.
Reflection: Where is God asking you to step out in faith?
Action: Before every decision today, ask: “What is the wise and faithful thing to do?”
Pastor Sam
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Lenten DevotionalsWeird is the New Normal: Day OneWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in GenesisWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in GenesisWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in GenesisDay 5: Weird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in GenesisWeird is the New Normal: Day SixWeird is the New Normal: Day SevenWeird is the New Normal: Day EightWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis Day NineWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis: Day TenWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis, Day ElevenWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis, Day Twelve
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