February 5, 2019
Who Calls the Heart?
Genesis 24:52-67
Ruthie Grant
Central Truth
Rebekah willingly left her family, even when they wanted her to stay longer. She made a brave decision that changed her life forever.
Key Verse | Genesis 24:58
And they called Rebekah and said to her, "Will you go with this man?" She said, "I will go."
Genesis 24:52-67
52 When Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before the LORD. 53 And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments. 54 And he and the men who were with him ate and drank, and they spent the night there. When they arose in the morning, he said, “Send me away to my master.” 55 Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.” 56 But he said to them, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.” 57 They said, “Let us call the young woman and ask her.” 58 And they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.” 59 So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham's servant and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,
“Our sister, may you become
thousands of ten thousands,
and may your offspring possess
the gate of those who hate him!”
1
24:60
Or hate them
61 Then Rebekah and her young women arose and rode on the camels and followed the man. Thus the servant took Rebekah and went his way.
62 Now Isaac had returned from Beer-lahai-roi and was dwelling in the Negeb. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming. 64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel 65 and said to the servant, “Who is that man, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.
Dive Deeper | Genesis 24:52-67
What's the biggest decision that you've ever had to make? Maybe it was so big that you thought you were the only person in the world to ever have to make a decision THAT big. Maybe, looking back, it wasn't so big, but in the moment, it was HUGE. Either way, all of us have had to make big decisions in our lives.
There are distinct choices one must face when making a final decision: what YOU would choose, what the WORLD wants you to choose, and what GOD wants you to choose. Those three little things, as small as they may be, are what's important. The process of making a decision is a tough one. I'm not going to tell you, "Be like Rebekah," ready to make a decision right on the spot. NO!! There is a process. It's not the Hallmark Channel answer, "Go with your gut," or "Just follow your heart." It's where God leads you.
It's not always going to be easy to follow God's direction. If you easily turn to God in any and every situation without hesitation, please share your secrets with the rest of us!! Nevertheless, please remember that we ALL have to make decisions. When Jesus was in the garden the night He was arrested, He made the decision to pray.
So, when we are faced with a tough decision, we MUST pray!! But what about Rebekah? Where does one even begin? I mean, she just left!! I really don't know about y'all, but it would be really tough for me to leave my family and friends and marry someone I'd never met!! The Bible just tells us that she said, "I will go." It doesn't tell us the thought process she went through to make that choice. I think the point is that God leaves the decision of what to do up to you. Will you go with your gut, or will you turn to the Lord who made you fearfully and wonderfully (Psalm 139:14)?
Discussion Questions
1. Consider Rebekah and the way she left. If you are faced with an immediate life-changing decision, how will you go about finding the Lord's answer?
2. Do you think it is a waste of time to involve God in everyday mundane decisions?
3. It may not seem too difficult to include the Lord in your big decisions, but what about all of the small decisions we make each day? If it is important to us, it is important to Him. What can you do to make sure that God is part of each and every decision you make on a daily basis?
4. Rebekah willingly left her family right away, even though they wanted her to stay longer. She trusted the choice she made even though it changed her life forever. Has the Lord ever asked you to leave someone or to give up something you loved to be in His will? Are you ready to give up everything to follow Him?