The story is a familiar one found in the pages of Genesis. I desiring a godly wife for his son, Abraham sends his servant back to his own country to find a wife for him.
We often hear of Rebekah’s admirable qualities ”“ her beauty, her hospitality, and hard work ethic. It all comes together in a love story where Isaac gets the wife of his dreams.
But the story does not end there. Reading this familiar story recently, a few different details stood out.
“Now these are the records of the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham became the father of Isaac; and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah …” (Genesis 25:19, NASB)
” … and Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them [twin boys].”
(Genesis 25:26, NASB)
If I am doing the math correctly, twenty years had passed from the day they married until the day Rebekah gave birth.
Twenty years of doing life together, day in and day out. We are also given this detail:
“Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren …”
(Genesis 25:32, NASB)
Isaac prayed for his wife. The couple, particularly for Rebekah, had to endure deep disappointment which grew increasingly hard to bear, as the months and years dragged on.
And yet, Isaac prayed. And continued to pray to the only One who could change this situation.
What can we learn from this familiar story about waiting on God?
I hope you will join me at Woman to Woman Ministries HERE and find encouragement if you are facing prolonged or repeated disappointment.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Today I may be joining …
Oh, how difficult it is to wait sometimes, but I’m learning that in the wait I learn and grow more that I would otherwise. The drought we’re in is a great example. Waiting nearly 70 days, God blessed my faith with an unexpected thunderstorm that refreshed my thirsty, parched soul more than it did the dry, cracked, and barren ground. In the past five days, He’s added another 3 inches for good measure. As I was watering the livestock this morning, in between showers, I saw the pastures beginning to show signs of life being restored. Such a blessing! Perfect timing my friend.
You’re prodding me to inquire of my own heart, whether there’s an expectancy toward whatever God purposes to do or to give…?
As a another blogger wrote recently, “rest (waiting) is not an easy posture”, and how very true is that. Yet, there is a refinement during rest n waiting that can come about no other way…
Wait expectantly reminds me of various times through the years when my husband was laid off and we were “waiting expectantly” for the Lord to provide a new job. He was always faithful to provide for us! Waiting expectantly brings a smile to my face because of His faithfulness.
Waiting is difficult at times. I love the story of Rebekah. I wait in his time.
Visiting from #One Word
Loved your thoughts on waiting, Joanne. Indeed waiting feels unpleasant, yet God is busy in the waiting!