Today's reading is a rather short passage. We find more genealogies, including another concubine of Abraham's who bore him more children. Some think he married her after Sarah's death, and some think she was his concubine already beforehand - apparently the verb tense is unclear (took or had taken are both possibilites), and in 1 Chronicles she is referred to as a concubine. In either case, this shows us that Abraham was the father of a multitude of nations, but no matter how many children he had, Isaac alone was the child of promise.
God's promise to Abraham regarding Ishmael (17:20) is also shown to be fulfilled by him having 12 sons.
According to this commentary this chapter teaches the principle of divine election. God chose Sarah, not Hagar or Keturah to be the mother of the of the child of promise. He chose Isaac, before he was even born, to be that child. And he chose Jacob, instead of the (barely) elder Esau to be the next child or promise, also before they were born. God did not choose them based on the good deeds He knew they would do. In fact, they often had less than stellar actions (Jacob stoops pretty low in the coming chapters). God chose, not based on their good deeds, and despite their bad deeds, He simply chose.
Consider Romans 9:10-12 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac, for though the twins were not yet born, and had not done anything good or bad, in order that God’s purpose according to His choice might stand, not because of works, but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, ‘The older will serve the younger’.
From the same article ...
The message of the Bible is that all of us deserve the eternal wrath of God for our sins (Romans 3:10-18,23; 6:23). The message of the gospel is that God has provided a solution for the sins of man. That solution is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross of Calvary where He bore the punishment that we deserve. He offers us the righteousness we lack (Romans 3:21-26). It is true that those who are saved are those whom God has chosen from eternity past (Acts 13:48; 16:14; Ephesians 1:11, etc.). It is also true that all who are saved are those who have personally believed in Jesus Christ as their Substitute and their Savior. Every person who calls upon Him for salvation will be saved.
In Rebekah, we again we find another woman unable to conceive, all the while likely knowing about the promised descendants that are supposed to come through her. It took 20 years of marriage before she conceived! Unlike Sarah, however, Rebekah doesn't take matters into her own hands. Instead Isaac prays for her. And what is the result of her faithfulness that God would provide in His time? She became pregnant, with twins. And not only that - the Lord spoke to her!
Another great reminder for us that God's timing and our timing will not always match up - and it doesn't mean God has forgotten us! He who promised is faithful.
Tomorrow's readings are Genesis 25:27 - 28:5. Click here to read online.
8 comments:
I have a bit of a problem with that article, where it says "those who are saved are those whom God has chosen from eternity past," but I'm not going to argue about that here because that's a bit of a tangent. We'll come upon the free will/predestination debate again more legitimately later this year!!
I DO believe God has very specific plans for some individuals, saved or unsaved, and He uses them for His purposes to reflect His power and holiness.
I always kind of wonder how Jacob would have ended up being the favoured son if he hadn't "helped" God out by tricking Esau out of his birthright. Especially since Isaac clearly preferred Esau.
I'm with you on the first part Tammi. I don't believe that any one person was chosen by God over another to be saved. Simply because the Bible tells us that it's Gods will that NO ONE should perish. What I personally believe, is that God knew who would and would not accept Christ and from that knowledge he chose....as in chose to put the Gospel in their path, because he knew that they would accept it. He knew who was going to be praying for them and interceeding for their salvation. God loves all His creation and I don't believe He would ever choose one to perish. He has to come to us, before we can come to Him though, and I am so thankful that He chose to give me the Gospel, and put people in my life who loved me as a sinner, and were a testimony to me and lead me to Christ. God didn't have to do that, and He did.
The one thing that really stuck out to me in this passage was when Rebekah felt the jostling inside of her and it said "so she went to inquire of the Lord." I mean, sure, we can go inquire of the Lord anything even now -- but it seemed like she went to the Lord completely confident that He would give her a direct reply. Was it really just such an expected/common thing back then that if you had a question, you could just ask God and He would answer you? I know He answers us through prayer all the time -- but you know what I mean (I hope). I couldn't imagine wondering about something and then thinking, "I'm going to ask God -- He'll tell me" and then have Him surely give me a reply as if He was sitting in the room next to me.
Does what I'm saying make any sense? It's still early for me... :)
I'm with you Tammi and Kristi, I'm struggling to make sense of how God choosing and us having free will works together. Does He choose everyone? Does He choose those whom He knows will accept Him? I don't know. But there are passages in the Bible like in Genesis 10:1-2 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these miraculous signs of mine among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the LORD.
where it almost seems like Pharaoh didn't have a choice. But was that because he had previously chosen to harden his heart himself?
We can debate this later on when we get to those predestination passages, but this is definitely one that doesn't quite jive to my limited human mind!
I know. Mine neither! I just have a real problem with the idea that God chose the majority of the human race to reject Him. Somehow that just doesn't seem right! Especially in light of 2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Tough stuff! Does the fact that God knows in advance what we will choose mean that our choice is moot? I don't know. I truly believe that God wants each and every human being on this earth to be saved. Has He chosen in advance those who are to be saved, or those through whom He will reach others?
So many questions.
This is such a tough one. I believe every choice we make has all the importance in the world...and eternity for that matter. Just because God knew ahead of time, what we would choose, doesn't make it any less important. God didn't and doesn't want us to be puppets. That's why Adam and Eve fell, because they had the choice. God won't force anyone to accept Him or do His will,(although He can be VERY persuasive) that part is up to us. I believe from the bottom of my heart, that He want's everyone to be saved and didn't ever choose to not give someone the chance to be saved. But, foreknowing who would and wouldn't accept Him, and what it would take to bring them to acceptance, He created certain circumstances in and througout their lives to bring them to that point.
I think we all have been given gifts to use for His honor and glory and whether we choose to use them or not, is up to us, but His will for us will not change. I do believe God chose and still choses who He would use to reach others and gave us gifts and talents accordingly. It doesn't take a degree to lead someone to Christ. All you have to have is a love for people, and a testimony of what God has done for you. The Holy Spirit will do the rest.
I'm not any less or more special than anyone else, and I will never believe that God would choose one of His creation over another to be saved. I do believe though, that in His foreknowledge of who wouldn't accept His Son and who would just be evil to the core, that they would never have His protection and blessings unless it was to serve a purpose for God's elect. I hope that makes sense. It's so hard to put things into words sometimes.
Andrea-I had the exact same thoughts as you! Rebekah seemed pretty bold and confident. Kristi- your thoughts make sense to me :)
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