The God Pause Daily Devotional in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Monday, 3 July 2017 - Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67

The God Pause Daily Devotional in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Monday, 3 July 2017 - Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Genesis 24:

34 He said, “I am Avraham’s servant. 35 Adonai has greatly blessed my master, so that he has grown wealthy. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels and donkeys. 36 Sarah my master’s wife bore my master a son when she was old, and he has given him everything he has. 37 My master made me swear, saying, ‘You are not to choose a wife for my son from among the women of the Kena‘ani, among whom I am living; 38 rather, you are to go to my father’s house, to my kinsmen, to choose a wife for my son.’

42 “So today, I came to the spring and said, ‘Adonai, God of my master Avraham, if you are causing my trip to succeed in its purpose, 43 then, here I am, standing by the spring. I will say to one of the girls coming out to draw water, “Let me have a sip of water from your jug.” 44 If she answers, “Yes, drink; and I will water your camels as well,” then let her be the woman you intend for my master’s son.’ 45 And even before I had finished speaking to my heart, there came Rivkah, going out with her jug on her shoulder; she went down to the spring and drew water. When I said to her, ‘Please let me have a drink,’ 46 she immediately lowered the jug from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well.’ So I drank, and she had the camels drink too.

47 “I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ and she answered, ‘The daughter of B’tu’el son of Nachor, whom Milkah bore to him.’ Then I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists, 48 bowed my head, prostrated myself before Adonai and blessed Adonai, God of my master Avraham, for having led me in the right way to obtain my master’s brother’s [grand]daughter for his son.

49 “So now if you people intend to show grace and truth to my master, tell me. But if not, tell me, so that I can turn elsewhere.”

58 They called Rivkah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?” and she replied, “I will.”

59 So they sent their sister Rivkah away, with her nurse, Avraham’s servant and his men. 60 They blessed Rivkah with these words: “Our sister, may you be the mother of millions, and may your descendants possess the cities of those who hate them.” 61 Then Rivkah and her maids mounted the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rivkah and went on his way.

62 Meanwhile, Yitz’chak, one evening after coming along the road from Be’er-Lachai-Ro’i — he was living in the Negev — 63 went out walking in the field; and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. 64 Rivkah too looked up; and when she saw Yitz’chak, she quickly dismounted the camel. 65 She said to the servant, “Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?” When the servant replied, “It’s my master,” she took her veil and covered herself.

66 The servant told Yitz’chak everything he had done. 67 Then Yitz’chak brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent and took Rivkah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. Thus was Yitz’chak comforted for the loss of his mother.

 [Complete Jewish Bible]

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Perhaps we tend to forget about the matriarchs of our faith. In scripture we often read about the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; but rarely mention that the same is also the God of Sarah, Rebekah, Leah and Rachel. The women in these stories are just as--if not more--important as the men. The climax the story in today's reading, I think, is when Rebekah responds with faith that she will go with Isaac. All cultural and traditional marriage gaps aside, it took a lot of courage and trust to even consider such a move. If we are going to give Rebekah the recognition and the praise that she deserves, then let us also take some time to reflect on the women in our lives who have helped to cultivate our faith and who have shown us unconditional, overflowing love.
Mothering God, you have blessed us with countless women in our lives. May we appreciate them more often and may we learn from their endless faith, constant compassion and humility. Amen.
Joshua Kestner, '17
Admissions Counselor, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
Genesis 24:34 So he said, "I am Abraham's servant.
35 The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become wealthy; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels and donkeys.
36 And Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and he has given him all that he has.
37 My master made me swear, saying, "You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live;
38 but you shall go to my father's house, to my kindred, and get a wife for my son.'...
42 "I came today to the spring, and said, "O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, if now you will only make successful the way I am going!
43 I am standing here by the spring of water; let the young woman who comes out to draw, to whom I shall say, "Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,"
44 and who will say to me, "Drink, and I will draw for your camels also"--let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master's son.'
45 "Before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her water jar on her shoulder; and she went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, "Please let me drink.'
46 She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder, and said, "Drink, and I will also water your camels.' So I drank, and she also watered the camels.
47 Then I asked her, "Whose daughter are you?' She said, "The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him.' So I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her arms.
48 Then I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to obtain the daughter of my master's kinsman for his son.
49 Now then, if you will deal loyally and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so that I may turn either to the right hand or to the left."...
58 And they called Rebekah, and said to her, "Will you go with this man?" She said, "I will."
59 So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse along with Abraham's servant and his men.
60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, "May you, our sister, become thousands of myriads; may your offspring gain possession of the gates of their foes."
61 Then Rebekah and her maids rose up, mounted the camels, and followed the man; thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
62 Now Isaac had come from Beer-lahai-roi, and was settled in the Negeb.
63 Isaac went out in the evening to walk in the field; and looking up, he saw camels coming.
64 And Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she slipped quickly from the camel,
65 and said to the servant, "Who is the man over there, walking in the field to meet us?" The servant said, "It is my master." So she took her veil and covered herself.
66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.
67 Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. [New Revised Standard Version]
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