4. Old Testament Walkers and Talkers

v. Rebecca and Isaac

Rebecca

Thinking

God spoke to Rebecca (Genesis 25: 23) telling her that the two babies she was to bear would become two nations.

Now it would be fair to say that this is not a word that men hear! It's hard to imagine women of today hearing this word either. We need to explore what it means for us today.

This is one of a number of passages of Scripture that reports how God chose to advise about a specific purpose for an individual, or in this case three individuals - Rebecca and her two sons. Today, it is a concept that people have difficulty with; some people will find it easier to accept it as foreknowledge. Easier to understand is the call to a task - career tasks such as a call to mission, a call to ministry, and other forms of service. Equally important are the tasks assigned to many people and to groups - of speaking a word of encouragement, of caring, of listening, of doing, and of just being. It then becomes helpful if we can see each of these as part of a wide spectrum of activities. Each is integrated into God's wider plan and purpose.

Praying

Do you have a purpose for me, Lord?

Listening

My purpose for you and for each of your brothers and sisters is that you will grow into me, and progressively take on aspects of my personality, so that in due course, you are made "mature in Christ (Colossians 1: 28). As you work towards this objective, there are many tasks. For you, one of them is writing this book.

Praying

Lord, I thank you for this word of understanding today. Help me to recognise that each of us has special things to do for you - some public, but mostly anonymous. Awareness of this also brings a responsibility to affirm others as they work out your calling in their lives. Even now, I want to bow in prayer and lift specific individuals to you. Thank you for their faith and effort. Thank you for the way people are being blessed by their ministry. And thank you for the blessing they themselves know as they work out your purposes.

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Lord, it is mind-expanding to come to the awareness that each of us is part of your plan. So I worship you just now and acknowledge your lordship, for I love you very much.

Isaac

Thinking

God spoke to Isaac on at least two occasions - first with instructions to go to Egypt (Genesis 26: 2-5) and again at Beersheba (Genesis 26: 24). However, it is possible that Isaac also heard the angel's voice speaking to his father Abraham with the instruction not to kill him, while he was bound and lying on the altar (Genesis 22: 12). While Isaac's early life must have been overshadowed by the faith of his father, the extraordinary experience of seeing his father's knife above him, and then being spared from sacrifice, would also have contributed towards faith becoming his own rather than just being passed on. Hearing the voice of God always seems to cement or reinforce faith.

Listening

My son, hearing my voice, feeling my touch, being aware of my presence, knowing and seeing in others the change of heart when people come to me - all of these things reinforce faith.

Praying

Lord, I think you are saying that any and every experience of you - individual, corporate, inside, outside, spiritual and less commonly physical - acts to reinforce faith. I have come to know that you are very real and very loving, so I thank you just now for the variety of ways in which you have taught me this lesson. While these kinds of experience are often specific for individuals, it is all about awareness of you. Help me to share these with others and to be blessed as others share their experiences with me, because, Lord, I want to do anything that will increase my trust in you.

Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved.

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