Call Sign Rebekah

By: Meg Glenn

Have a seat, friends, and let’s take a walk back in time. Not as far as you might think – not all the way to the Patriarch era – YET.

Let’s start in May 2022. Were you as desperate for adventure as I was? We had all weathered a tumultuous couple of years when the Top Gun sequel Maverick arrived in theaters May 27 that year. Disinfecting everything in sight was a lot, right? We excitedly met a group of friends, very responsibly I might add, bought our popcorn, and mused about our own call signs. Sonic? Wild Card? I’m still soliciting suggestions if you have ideas.

Sitting in the theater, I felt freedom, ready to jump into the cockpit and chart my own course. We often glamorize people who are adventurous, independent, and aren’t afraid to make bold choices. Those aren’t bad traits, but without discipline, we could drift into the danger zone. Spoiler alert: Maverick always pushes the limits.

As I turned the pages of Genesis 24 recently, I found another maverick. Abraham was old and asked his chief servant to find a wife for Isaac (Gen 24:1-4 NLT). He would travel back to Abraham’s homeland, with ten camels and all kinds of good gifts to offer the prospective bride and her family. A pretty important task.

As he arrived, the servant prayed for the Lord’s angel who went ahead of him to find the woman who would marry Isaac. He asked for a sign, so when he asked the daughters of the townspeople for a drink of water, that “the one” would say, “Drink, and I’ll water your camels too.” (Gen 24:14 NIV)

Remember, the servant was traveling with TEN CAMELS that needed water. They could draw on reserves, sure, but that is a lot of work, and a lot of water. Would he find the one willing to do the hard work that kind of generosity required?

Enter Rebekah.

He had no sooner finished praying and asked the question of the first young woman, and the Lord provided exactly that. She even invited Abraham’s servant back to her family’s home for the night. The servant wouldn’t eat until he explained the real reason for his visit – to pop the question, so to speak. Her family agreed and asked for time before Rebekah left, but the servant asked to leave without delay. They put the question to Rebekah, and she answered, “I will go.” (Gen 24:58 NIV)

Would you pick up and move, leaving your family to marry someone you’d never met? Does that feel adventurous? Or crazy? She said yes without hesitation. Wow.

Rebekah headed to her new home with Isaac. She became his wife, and he loved her. (Gen 24:67)

The adventure wasn’t always easy – she endured barrenness for nearly 20 years, in a society where bearing children, especially sons, would have been significant to her identity and their future. Isaac pleaded with the Lord on her behalf. Imagine the pressure she must have felt – many godly, confident women have felt that anxiousness.

After years of trying to conceive, the Lord answered with twins. The babies jostled and moved in Rebekah’s womb constantly – immense discomfort. She asked the Lord why all the internal mayhem from the babies, and He answered, “The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son.” (Gen 25:23 NLT)

Fast forward, and the boys Esau and Jacob grew, as different as night and day. Esau was outdoorsy, while Jacob stayed around the tents, spending more time with Rebekah. She favored Jacob the younger son, while Isaac favored Esau the firstborn – a wild, hairy hunter. The rivalry persisted, maybe fueled by the favoritism, and Esau impulsively sold his birthright to Jacob.

Life continued – if this were a movie, there would be a montage as Rebekah aged. She, Isaac and their sons endured famine but stayed put as the Lord directed. They farmed, then picked up their family and moved, and saw their son Esau marry.

Here’s where the dramatic tension builds and Rebekah’s strong will and quick decisions get her in trouble. Maybe she remembered the Lord’s comment that the younger son would be stronger and lead the older son. Possibly she thought she was “helping.” We do that too, don’t we? We tinker with God’s plan, in the name of assistance, as if God can’t accomplish his purposes without us.

Isaac was old and wanted to extend his blessing before he died. He called in firstborn Esau and asked him to hunt some wild game for dinner. Isaac probably pictured a nice meal, and a good time where he would bestow his blessing on Esau.

Meanwhile, Rebekah overheard the conversation and had other ideas. Insert dramatic thundering sound effect. Going back to our movie night, this would be where Maverick’s colleague Hondo says, “Mav, I don’t like that look on your face,” and Maverick responds, “It’s the only one I got.” The audience chuckles, but the tension builds.

Sure enough, Rebekah hatched a wild plan as if the Lord needed her help to elevate Jacob. She had him run to the pasture and pick out two goats for her to cook on her son’s behalf. He would offer this scrumptious meal to his dad and secure the blessing before Esau returned – it was risky, but Isaac’s eyesight had become weak. Surely he wouldn’t know the difference. She even accounted for Esau’s hairiness by covering Jacob’s hands with the goatskins and having him wear his brother’s clothes so he smelled like Esau. Yuck, but effective.

It worked, with significant blowback. Jacob received the blessing, leapfrogging his older brother. Esau returned and was livid. He vowed revenge once Isaac passed away. Rebekah stood to lose both of her sons – one to murder, and the other to punishment for the same. Her hasty scheme backfired. She convinced Isaac to send Jacob to her brother’s home, in the name of finding a wife, but really to save him from Esau’s anger. The trip was supposed to be short but ultimately lasted about 20 years – and Genesis never records them together again. Sad, right?

Looking at Rebekah’s story, I consider how many times I’ve thrown a kink in God’s plans. I’m so grateful He uses mad confidence, bold ideas, and outrageous, sometimes rogue, sinners to accomplish all of His will. We don’t HAVE TO help God, He’s all-capable on His own. He extends much grace so that we GET TO help accomplish His plans, but on His terms, not ours. As much as I love to root for the free spirits, I also see that value in obedience and discipline. Be it a rigid commanding officer or the Lord’s nudging us back on course.

Call Sign Clutch, signing out to get some popcorn.

“I will be your God throughout your lifetime – until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” (Isaiah 46:4 NLT)