Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Jul 31st, 2012 Just for Ladies – by Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 5 – 8 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text)

(Second Milers also read – Luke 17 – 18; Psalms 146 – 150; Proverbs 31)

Scripture Memory for July – Hebrews 1

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song –Proverbs 27:15

Watch – “Developing a Spiritual Family in the Midst of a Fervent Ministry” by Pastor Chappell

THE STUDY OF WOMEN IN THE BIBLE

Rebekah, From Triumph To Failure

“And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water. And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master. And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher. And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.” (Genesis 24: 10-19)

“And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it. And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying, Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee. Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth: And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.” (Genesis 27:5-10)

Rebekah was a hard worker with a kind spirit, excited about doing God’s will. Her day started like most of ours: she got up, got dressed, and went to work; but this day was different. While at work she met a man. She served him by giving him and his camels water. Rebekah was friendly and invited him to meet her family. There was no thought when she said yes to the question “Will you go with this man?” This was a great step of faith. She would leave her family to go into an unfamiliar land to marry someone she never met, but she was willing. She loved and served Isaac. Isaac and Rebekah served the Lord together, and later Esau and Jacob were born.
In chapter Genesis 27, the Bible tells us that Rebekah loved Jacob more than Esau. This may have been because Isaac favored Esau. I only had one child, so I don’t fully understand sharing love between two children. However, I’ve seen the results of parents showing favor towards one child. This was Rebekah’s downfall. What was it that turned the heart of Rebekah from a kind spirited servant of God, to a deceiver? The Bible doesn’t say, but we all know who’s behind all evil.

Rebekah’s life is much like the Christian life. We are out and about doing our daily routine, when we meet someone who asks the question “Will you go with this man (Jesus)?” We willingly say yes and accept the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, and begin to serve Him. We work by serving others in church and in the community and are excited about it. We lose the old man and start allowing the “New Spirit” to take control. We do things and go places where we’ve never been before. We invite strangers into our lives to help them find their way to the Lord. But as we get on in our Christian lives, like Rebekah, we allow Satan to creep in. We love the Lord but we really like the way of the world. We are divided. Be careful not to make bad decisions when stepping towards the world. I pray that if you find yourself in Rebekah’s shoes, that you will turn your attention back towards the Lord. Remember, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

“My eyes are dry, my faith is old, my heart is hard, my prayers are cold. And I know how I should be, alive to you and dead to me. But what can be done, for an old heart like mine, to soften it up with oil and wine. The oil is You, Your Spirit of love, please wash me a new, in the wine of your blood.”

A Song By: Keith Green

Thank You
1 John 5:13