Weird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day Seventeen
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”
It was a long journey…maybe 500 miles or so…from Rebekah’s home in Nahor to the place where she would meet Isaac. I find myself wondering what she was thinking on that long journey. Maybe something like – “I wonder what this guy, Isaac, will look like? Will he be handsome? What will I do if he is just gross looking?” I don’t know…maybe she wasn’t thinking any of that. She did know a few things for certain: (1) Isaac was related to her. Rebekah’s grandfather, Nahor, was the brother of Abraham. So, Rebekah would be Isaac’s second cousin, I reckon. Jeff Foxworthy famously said, “If you go to a family reunion to try to find a date…you might be a redneck.” I don’t know what made me think of that… (2) Isaac’s family had some wealth. This was established when Eliezer brought out “gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing…” along with “costly gifts” to Rebekah’s brother and mother. (24: 53)
Even knowing all that, Rebekah still shows faith and courage to make this long journey, knowing that she will probably never see her parents again, to marry a guy she had not met yet. What was on Rebekah’s mind on this journey? I don’t know. Maybe she was thinking about the blessing that her family had pronounced upon her when she left – a prophetic blessing as it turns out. “Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.” (24: 60) This makes us think of the prophecy given to Abraham in Gen. 22: 17: “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.”
Rebekah and Eliezer first met at a well, and now after their long journey, they arrive at another well…Beer Lahai Roi (which means “well of the Living One Who sees me”). Here Rebekah sees Isaac. He had gone out to the field one evening to meditate. (24: 63) He saw the camels approaching and started walking toward them. Rebekah saw him, and asked Eliezer, “Who is that man?” “He is my master,” Eliezer replied.” So Rebekah took her veil and covered herself. (Gen. 24: 65) A veil covering the face was a sign that she was unmarried.
Did “sparks fly” between Rebekah and Isaac on that first meeting? I really think they did! Their marriage is the first one in the Bible where “love” is mentioned. “She became his wife, and he loved her.” (24: 67) Just goes to show us – good things happen when you are willing to take a step of faith…and good things happen when you go out into nature and meditate!
Reflection: Have you taken a step of faith lately?
Action: Go outside and find a beautiful place. Meditate on the goodness of God!
Weird – “of strange or extraordinary character.”
Normal – “conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern”
- Merriam Webster
It was a long journey…maybe 500 miles or so…from Rebekah’s home in Nahor to the place where she would meet Isaac. I find myself wondering what she was thinking on that long journey. Maybe something like – “I wonder what this guy, Isaac, will look like? Will he be handsome? What will I do if he is just gross looking?” I don’t know…maybe she wasn’t thinking any of that. She did know a few things for certain: (1) Isaac was related to her. Rebekah’s grandfather, Nahor, was the brother of Abraham. So, Rebekah would be Isaac’s second cousin, I reckon. Jeff Foxworthy famously said, “If you go to a family reunion to try to find a date…you might be a redneck.” I don’t know what made me think of that… (2) Isaac’s family had some wealth. This was established when Eliezer brought out “gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing…” along with “costly gifts” to Rebekah’s brother and mother. (24: 53)
Even knowing all that, Rebekah still shows faith and courage to make this long journey, knowing that she will probably never see her parents again, to marry a guy she had not met yet. What was on Rebekah’s mind on this journey? I don’t know. Maybe she was thinking about the blessing that her family had pronounced upon her when she left – a prophetic blessing as it turns out. “Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.” (24: 60) This makes us think of the prophecy given to Abraham in Gen. 22: 17: “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.”
Rebekah and Eliezer first met at a well, and now after their long journey, they arrive at another well…Beer Lahai Roi (which means “well of the Living One Who sees me”). Here Rebekah sees Isaac. He had gone out to the field one evening to meditate. (24: 63) He saw the camels approaching and started walking toward them. Rebekah saw him, and asked Eliezer, “Who is that man?” “He is my master,” Eliezer replied.” So Rebekah took her veil and covered herself. (Gen. 24: 65) A veil covering the face was a sign that she was unmarried.
Did “sparks fly” between Rebekah and Isaac on that first meeting? I really think they did! Their marriage is the first one in the Bible where “love” is mentioned. “She became his wife, and he loved her.” (24: 67) Just goes to show us – good things happen when you are willing to take a step of faith…and good things happen when you go out into nature and meditate!
Reflection: Have you taken a step of faith lately?
Action: Go outside and find a beautiful place. Meditate on the goodness of God!
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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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