Genesis 24: In the beginning of the chapter, Abraham’s oldest servant is mentioned. He makes his servant place his hand under his thigh- speculations as to why this was relevant have been made- and he makes him promise by the lord that he will only take a wife for Isaac from his country, from his family line. Canaanites worshiped false gods, so he wanted to make sure Isaac was chosen a kind woman of God to be his wife, but he doesn’t want to force any woman to marry his son. If they couldn’t find a suitable woman, he would be set free of his promise. Several of his servants traveled on camel to the city where Abraham was from and stopped to wait at the well. His oldest servant prays to God to show him a kind woman for Isaac, and God’s sign that it would be the right woman would offer his camel water. Rebekah offered the man water, them offers to water all of his camels. This would have taken hours, because each camel drinks about 20 gallons of water. The servant asks Rebekah if they could stay with her family overnight to allow them to rest and asks what family she belongs to. She shares that she is a relative of Abraham and that they have plenty of room for his men and camels. She runs home to tell her family and is probably excited because this may be her time to be married off and have children. This was the purpose of a woman, so it was likely very excited. Rebekah’s brother hears what is happening, and it seems that he was the man of the house. Abraham’s servant explains who Abraham and Isaac is, how wealthy they are, and why he has come, and how Rebekah did exactly as God said the woman Isaac was to marry would do. The servant gave the family many jewels and gifts as the dowry. Her brother requested that Rebekah stay for 10 days to prepare to say goodbye forever. His servant begs them not to delay their trip, so the brother lets Rebekah choose for herself. This must have meant that her family loved her very much, and had a lot of respect for her, which wasn’t very common at the time- as we remember with Lot’s offering of his daughters to those criminals. Rebekah was eager to leave and marry. Her family blesses her with a prayer, and the Abraham’s servants leaves with Rebekah and his men. While Isaac was meditating in the field, at this time Rebekah and the men were approaching their property on camel. It was as if it was love at first sight between Isaac and Rebekah, and it was mentioned that Isaac loved Rebekah very much, so much in fact that it started to make Isaac finally feel less broken hearted about his mother’s death. Super cute, because compassionate love wasn’t very common back then.

Genesis 25: After Abraham gives all of his possessions to Isaac, he dies at the age of 175. Both Isaac and Ishmael bury Abraham together with Sarah where he had purchased the property- which is so relatable to us today- death often is unfortunately what brings family back together. Isaac settles in Beer-lahai-roi. We learn that Ishmeal (the son of Abraham and Sarah’s maid, Hagar has 12 sons, which all become leaders of some sort, as promised. Ishmael dies at the age of 137, and was said to live a happy, full life. We learn that Rebekah and Isaac conceive twins, Esau and Jacob. God tells Isaac and Rebekah that even though Jacob, even though second born, would rule over Esau. Jacob grew to be more connected to Jacob, and unfortunately showed much favoritism to Jacob over Esau. I wonder if this is God’s way of telling us that favoritism is just something that happens; it’s more of a stronger intimate connection with someone over another, even if they are our children- even though it feels so awful to say out loud. We don’t know that Jacob was told he would rule over Esau, or if it was an inner knowing… but Esau sells his birth right to Jacob for a meal. This is a reminder that our ‘hunger pains’ can often lead us to make bad, impulsive decisions.

Genesis 26: An extreme famine has swept the land. Isaac moves to Gerar. This is also where Abimelech lived. God warns Isaac not to go to Egypt, but instead to live as a foreigner in Gerar, even though life will feel more difficult. He is told that he will be blessed if he does this, as will all of his children and descendants. When Isaac goes to Garar, follows in his father’s footsteps and does exactly what his father does: He lies to Abimelech and tells him that Rebekah is his sister, in fear that he will be murdered and his wife taken by the people of Gerar. Again, Abimelech learns tis not to be true, and Abimelech protects them. We see the broken covenant that Abraham made with Abimelech in the past regarding the wells. Isaac again digs more wells, yet the people of Gerar continue to fight over the water rights. After the third well dug is when the people of Gerar don’t take it from him. I can’t honestly imagine being met by so many obstacles, but it’s a reminder to keep doing… keep digging… never give up. We see a new covenant between Isaac and the people of Gerar.

Genesis 27: In this chapter, Isaac tells Esau to get prepared for his blessing before he dies. Rebekah hears this, thinking Isaac is going to be blessed with the ‘first born blessing’ and tells Jacob to hurry and be there to get Esau’s blessing first. Isaac was old and sick and couldn’t see, so it would have been easy to trick Isaac. Jacob creates a meal to trick their father into giving Esau’s blessing to Jacob. After Isaac blessed Jacob (who was supposed to be Esau), Esau enters fir his blessing (which had just been given to Jacob). Esau hated Jacob because of this, Isaac blesses Esau and tells him he will not have to live under Jacob’s rein. We see Rebekah manipulate every situation to better herself and her life.