MARCH 2-8: LOVE STORY
Come Follow Me “Let God Prevail”
We don’t get a lot of romance in reading the bible, although there are quite a few romantic stories. A standout is Isaac and Rebekah. A servant sent to a far place to choose a bride for Isaac. The servant’s prayer to God that the chosen woman will be at the well and offer water, not only to the man, but also his camels. And who shows up - Rebekah.
I have a daughter named Rebecca and it’s easy for me to see her in this story. She, like Rebekah of old, is one who sees a need and jumps in to take care of it, like opening the Thanksgiving feast to those who need family for the day, or providing water for a thirsty traveler and his camels, and recognizing God’s hand in the man’s errand.
Gen 24: 58 ‘And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.’ When Isaac first saw her from a distance, and when he took her to wife, ‘he loved her’.
‘Rebekah came with her pitcher in hand, graceful and kind as if Heaven had planned, drink my lord ... a divine sign revealed in this offering ...Yes, I’ll go there.’
Rebekah’s Kindness: A Divine Sign - Short Song Sessions
As a mother, Rebekah knew well the character of her twin sons, Esau and Jacob. As Isaac’s wife she was part of the covenant - the binding or Akedah - of Isaac with God. Esau showed his disrespect for this covenant when he ‘sold his birthright’ to his brother because he was hungry; and then when he took wives from the Hittites.
As Isaac became too old to ‘see clearly’, Rebekah then had to be the one to ensure that the son who would honor the covenant was the one who received the birthright. She saw what was needed, and in clever fashion made sure that it happened.
Sent away to his mother’s brother, Jacob quickly falls in love with his cousin Rachel. For seven years Jacob works to earn his beloved Rachel’s hand in marriage. That is pretty romantic. And then to be tricked and get a disguised Leah as his wife - well, perhaps that’s his comeuppance for having tricked his father. Certainly Jacob received more than he bargained for. He is being taught that ‘What’s delayed is never lost ... You still keep the promise, God. Not the way we dreamed, but still your hand is over everything.’
Faithful in the Waiting - All For God’s Children
After an additional seven years of working for Uncle Laban, Jacob sets to return home taking with him four wives, the beginnings of a family that would become twelve sons and a daughter, along with large flocks and servants. With such considerable wealth he was nonetheless nervous to face his brother Esau again, and afraid of what he would find on his return home.
He makes a stop on his way, and the story goes that he wrestled with a messenger from God. Jacob refuses to let go of the messenger, ‘unless you bless me’. And Jacob receives this blessing: [Gen 32:28] ‘Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.’
‘Let God prevail, He is by your side ... through the storms of this life.’
Let God Prevail - Gibson Sisters
The story ends with Jacob’s return home. [Gen33:4] ‘And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.’
This, too, is a beautiful love story - of brothers who can forgive and be reconciled.
‘Let God prevail’. This is the meaning of the name Israel. A name that all who follow with God carry today.