Part 3 (1/2)

- Genesis 24:47, 53 A nose ring! Often taken as a sign of rebellious youth today, a nose ring was an acceptable form of adornment in ancient times. When Abraham's servant realized Rebekah was the woman Isaac was to marry, he immediately got out the jewels he had brought along for the occasion. He gave her two gold bracelets and a gold nose ring. Rebekah quickly slipped the jewelry on and ran home with s.h.i.+ning eyes to tell her family what had occurred.

A nose ring is mentioned only two other times in Scripture - in Proverbs 11 and Ezekiel 16. In Ezekiel 16, G.o.d is describing in allegorical terms how much he loves the city of Jerusalem. He lovingly bathes her, then dresses her in wonderfully rich clothing and soft leather sandals. He then tenderly adorns her with jewelry. ”I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck, and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. So you were adorned with gold and silver” (Ezekiel 16:11- 13).

The Old Testament mentions jewels and jewelry numerous times. Women and men both wore earrings (Exodus 32:2). They also commonly wore ”armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings and necklaces” (Numbers 31:50). The Israelites took most of their jewelry from others while at war; gold and silver and gemstones are often listed among the booty taken during a raid. According to 2 Samuel 8:11, David gained enormous amounts of gold and silver and bronze when he conquered the nations surrounding Israel. He dedicated all of it to the Lord, and his son Solomon used it to build the fabulous temple in Jerusalem. Believe it or not, Solomon had so much wealth in his kingdom that he ”made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones” (2 Chronicles 1:15).

In the NIV, the Greek word for various female adornments is translated ”jewelry” only once. In speaking to wives, Peter urges them to pay more attention to their inner beauty than their outward beauty. ”Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes,” he says. ”Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in G.o.d's sight” (1 Peter 3:3 - 4). Evidently, the women of New Testament times were as fascinated with jewelry as the women of Old Testament times - and the women of our times. How easy it is to look in the mirror to a.s.sess our outward appearance, forgetting to spend much time at all examining our inner appearance.

Tomorrow morning, when you put your rings on your fingers, also put on a spirit of peace. When you put your earrings on your ears, put them on with a cheerful att.i.tude. When you clasp your necklace around your neck, clasp a sweet spirit to your heart also. The jewelry you wear won't make much difference in your day, but the spirit you wear will.

Wednesday HER LEGACY IN SCRIPTURE.

Read Genesis 24:15 - 27.

1. What do you notice about young Rebekah's looks and character?

Read Genesis 24:67.

2. These are some of the sweetest words about marriage found in the Bible. In your own words, describe what you think Isaac and Rebekah's marriage was like in these early days.

Read Genesis 25:21 - 28.

3. Verse 28 contains some of the saddest words about parenting found in the Bible. How do you think their parents' favoritism affected Jacob and Esau?

Read Genesis 27:1 - 13.

4. Why do you think Rebekah resorted to trickery to gain what G.o.d promised her when she was pregnant?

5. Do you see yourself anywhere in Rebekah's story? How are you like or unlike her?

Thursday HER PROMISE.

Rebekah heard Abraham's servant describe how he had prayed and how he was sure she was the woman G.o.d intended for Isaac. G.o.d himself had divinely orchestrated the events. Rebekah seemed to have known that and, when asked, answered simply, ”I will go.” Did Rebekah fully realize G.o.d's plan for her? Was she open to following that plan? Or was she simply entranced with the romantic notions of a young girl looking for her knight in s.h.i.+ning armor? Whatever her motivation, the events were planned by G.o.d, and he was able and willing to faithfully continue to fulfill his promises through her.

G.o.d's faithfulness, despite our waywardness and contrariness, is evident both throughout Scripture and throughout our lives. He will be faithful; he promises.

Promises in Scripture Know therefore that the Lord your G.o.d is G.o.d; he is the faithful G.o.d, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

-Deuteronomy 7:9 The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.

-Psalm 145:13 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

- Hebrews 10:23 Friday HER LEGACY OF PRAYER.

Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.

- Genesis 24:60 Reflect On: Genesis 27.

Praise G.o.d: Because unlike Isaac, who had only one blessing to give his children, G.o.d has blessings uniquely designed for each of us.

Offer Thanks: That G.o.d doesn't wait until we are perfect to involve us in his plans.

Confess: Any tendency to try to control the future rather than trusting G.o.d to shape it according to his timetable.

Ask G.o.d: To protect you from playing favorites with your own children and to trust that he has a generous plan for each one.

Lift Your Heart Take a few minutes this week to write a blessing card for each of your children. Use a simple index card or decorate the card with stickers, stencils, or line drawings. (If you don't have children of your own, you can do this for a niece or nephew or another special child in your life.) Start by praying for each child, asking G.o.d's blessing on their lives. Then write out the blessings you sense G.o.d wants for them. Tuck the blessing cards under their pillows or place them next to their dinner plates. Tell them these are some of the ways you are asking G.o.d to bless them. Be sure to keep a copy of each card for yourself so you can make those blessings a subject of frequent prayer.

Lord, you give us the power to bless our children, through our example, our teaching, our love, and our prayers. May our children surpa.s.s us in faith. In all their struggles may they sense your nearness, and may their joy be renewed each morning. May each of them become the kind of person who attracts others to you. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Rachel.

HER NAME MEANS.

”Ewe”

Her Character: Manipulated by her father, she had little say over her own life circ.u.mstances and relations.h.i.+ps. But rather than dealing creatively with a difficult situation, Rachel behaved like a perpetual victim, responding to sin with yet more sin, making things worse by competing with her sister, and deceiving her father in return.

Her Sorrow: That her longing for children ultimately led to her death in childbirth.

Her Joy: That her husband cherished her and would do what ever was in his power to make her happy.

Key Scriptures: Genesis 29 - 35; Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:18 Monday HER STORY.

Was it better to have love but no children or to be unloved and yet mother to a house full of sons?The question battered Rachel like a strong wind slamming the same door over and over.

Leah had just given birth to her fourth son, Judah. In her joy she had shouted, ”I will praise the Lord!” Her firstborn, Reuben, meant ”See, a Son”; Simeon, ”One Who Hears”; and Levi, ”Attached,” as though Jacob could ever be attached to his plain wife! Rachel was sick to death of this habit her sister had of naming her sons in ways that emphasized Rachel's own barrenness.

Leah had become Jacob's wife through her father's treachery, but Rachel had captured his love from their first meeting at the well outside Haran. Every touch communicated his favor. Yet favor could not make children any more than wis.h.i.+ng could make wealth. Rachel should have been his first, his only wife, just as Aunt Rebekah was Uncle Isaac's only wife.

Rachel's father, Laban, had promised her to his nephew, Jacob, provided he work for him for seven years. Seven years was a long time to wait for a wife, yet Jacob had thought it a good bargain. And that made Rachel love him all the more.

But as the wedding day approached, Laban hatched a scheme to trick seven more years of labor out of Jacob. Rachel's day of happiness dissolved the moment Laban instructed her older sister, Leah, to disguise herself in Rachel's wedding garments.

After dark he led Leah, veiled, to Jacob's tent, and the two slept together as man and wife. As the first light crept across the tent floor, Jacob reached again for Rachel only to find Leah at his side. Laban's treachery stung him. It was beyond belief. Even so, despite the recriminations and the tears, the marriage could not be undone.

But Rachel felt undone, her blessing seized by stealth. Laban's convoluted plan, however, was still unfolding. He struck another bargain, giving Rachel to Jacob the very next week in exchange for seven more years of labor. So now the two sisters lived uneasily together, Leah's sons a grating reminder that Rachel, the second wife, was cheated still.

”Give me children, or I'll die,” Rachel screamed at Jacob one day-as though he could take the place of G.o.d and open her womb. So she gave him Bilhah, her maid, who conceived and bore her two sons. When Napthali, the second son, was born, Rachel proclaimed to anyone who would listen, ”I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won.” But the wrestling match between Rachel and Leah was far from over.

Rachel's bitterness again eased when she herself gave birth to a son, naming him Joseph, meaning ”May He Add” - a prophetic prayer that G.o.d would add yet another child to her line.

Then one day G.o.d spoke to Jacob, telling him to return to the land of Isaac, his father. More than twenty years earlier, Jacob had wrestled the blessing from Esau and then had fled his murderous wrath. Had the long years paid him back twofold? Had Laban's treachery and the wrestling match between Rachel and Leah reminded him of his own struggles with his brother? Would G.o.d - and Esau - call it even? Only the Lord could protect him in this matter with his brother.

As Jacob gathered his flocks, his servants, and his children, preparing to leave, Rachel stole her father's household G.o.ds, small idols thought to ensure prosperity. After ten days on the road, Laban overtook them in the hill country of Gilead, accusing his son-in-law of theft. Unaware of Rachel's deceit, Jacob invited Laban to search the camp, promising to put to death anyone discovered with the idols.