For many of us, when we see strangers, we tend not to interact with or relate to them or even want to associate ourselves with them — not knowing that it could be the right moment and place to meet your destiny helper as strangers you encounter, which could be a God-ordained moment. Take, for example, the story of Rebekah, whose life changed when she met her destiny helper at the well. Rebekah was renowned for her hospitality and kindness toward others.
In Genesis 24:43 (NKJV), it states: “Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass that when the virgin comes out to draw water, and I say to her, ‘Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,’”
Furthermore, in Genesis 24:45–46 (NKJV), it continues: “But before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah, coming out with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down to the well and drew water. And I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ She made haste, let her pitcher down from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels a drink also.’”
Rebekah was not only physically attractive but also demonstrated true beauty through her compassion and kindness. Her story teaches us that good morals and character can attract God’s blessings and favor. Her qualities exemplify those of a virtuous woman, as noted in Proverbs 31:26: “And on her tongue is the law of kindness.”
Faith
Proverbs 3:6 (NKJV) 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,And He shall direct your paths.
When your faith is solely in God, you always turn to Him for everything because you know only God can reveal what you are facing. Rebekah was trying to understand what was happening to her during her pregnancy with her twins.
In Genesis 25:22 (NKJV), it says, “But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the LORD.”
Rebekah understood that only God could provide the answers to her questions, demonstrating her faith in Him rather than in people. This aligns with Proverbs 31:30, which says, “A woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.” Because she feared the Lord, Rebekah sought guidance of God for her children.
When you have a personal relationship with God and fear Him, it becomes natural to seek His counsel and wisdom in every situation. Wise individuals, especially those who fear God, consistently consult Him, particularly during uncertain times or when clarity is lacking in their lives.
Rebekah exemplifies motherhood by acknowledging God’s role in her children’s lives. She worships and serves the God of her husband, Isaac, and calls upon God for her family’s well-being. Rebekah is a virtuous woman who demonstrates genuine reverence for God. Her faith lies in the God of her husband, Isaac, who is also the God of Abraham. This connection continues the covenant made with Abraham, affirming her place as a mother of nations, as promised to Sarah in Genesis 17:15–16 and Genesis 25:23.
Family
Rebekah understood the importance of family in marriage. When Abraham’s servant spoke with her, she involved her family in the decision-making process, and together they reached a conclusion that benefitted Rebekah. In Genesis 24:57–58 (NKJV), it says:”57 So they said, “We will call the young woman and ask her personally.” 58 Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.”
Including your family in pre-marital decisions is crucial because your spouse is joining your family, and your family can offer support, especially when you may not see what they see in your potential partner. The fact that her family sought her consent to marry indicates their trust in her, suggesting they raised her well and that she understood how to treat a man properly. Despite being a virgin, her kindness to strangers reflects her capability to be a good partner to her husband. This idea is reinforced in Proverbs 31:12 (NKJV): “She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.”
When your family does not feel the need to make decisions for you, it indicates that they have raised you to be reliable and independent. Additionally, the account of Rebekah’s kindness to Abraham’s servant — despite her unawareness that she was being observed — demonstrates that she will treat her husband well throughout her life.
Rebekah’s family played a significant role in shaping her into a responsible woman. She was loved, cherished, and cared for by her husband, Isaac. Furthermore, she knew exactly what her husband loved, as she used that knowledge and played a part in transferring the blessing from her elder son to her younger son. However, dysfunction arose in her family due to her favoritism — specifically, the favoritism of love. Her husband loved their elder son, Esau, while she favoured her younger son, Jacob, each driven by their respective motives and reasons. This dynamic created conflict in the family and teaches us valuable lessons about favoritism, impatience, and the consequences of relying on human methods to fulfill God’s promises rather than trusting in God’s plans.
Function
As a young woman before marriage, Rebekah was responsible and hardworking, fetching water for her family. In Genesis 24:15 (NKJV), it says, “And it happened, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her pitcher on her shoulder.”
After her marriage, Rebekah fulfilled her role as a wife. God’s intention is for a man not to be alone but to have a helpmeet. As stated in Genesis 2:18 (KJV), “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.” Rebekah embraced her role as Isaac’s wife, stepping into his life at a time when he had lost his mother. Genesis 24:67 (KJV) tells us, “And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.”
Rebekah, an example of a virtuous woman, brings peace, joy, and comfort to her husband and home, rather than chaos and confusion. This idea is illustrated in Proverbs 31:11 (NKJV): “The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain.” Isaac’s trust in Rebekah allowed him to welcome her into his mother’s tent and find comfort after Sarah’s passing. As a woman of virtue, your goal is to bring peace to your husband, especially during difficult times. Isaac’s comfort indicates that Rebekah was indeed virtuous and capable of fulfilling her role as a wife effectively.
Formation
Rebekah progressed from being a sister to becoming a wife and then a mother. As a woman of virtue, God will always establish you. You will continually see transformation in your life because God is always building you. Genesis 25:24 (KJV) mentioned her stage of motherhood, stating, “And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.” Only God can establish things in the correct order. There will always be evidence of God’s work in your life as a woman of God. Proverbs 31:25 (KJV) says, “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.” When God transforms you in the right order, you will gain honor and enjoy everything you strive for in every season. When God changes your status, you will truly appreciate each role because you know He will continue to transform you.
Rebekah exemplifies what it means to be a virtuous woman because she allowed God to transform her in the proper order, while her character remained consistently kind, loving, faithful, reliable, hospitable, and so on. The Bible does not present perfect people; it also reveals possible weaknesses or shortcomings. For Rebekah, this weakness was favoritism between her two sons. As a mother, try not to show a clear preference for one child over another, even if, as humans, we might lean toward one for various reasons.
Rebekah’s preferential love for her younger son over her elder son caused conflict between them. She devised a plan to help her younger son receive his father’s blessing instead of supporting her elder son. This decision led to a deterioration in her relationship with her elder son, and she later found it upsetting that he had chosen a wife she disliked, prompting her to inform her husband of her son’s choice of mate. As a mother, she could have worked just as hard to strengthen her relationship with her elder son as she did with her younger son.
In Summary
Rebekah’s character made her a remarkable woman of virtue because her faith in God was evident in her life. She involved her family in the most important decisions she made. By living according to the purpose God had for her, she allowed herself to be transformed by Him. When we place our faith in God, we can embody the qualities of the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31.
Contributor: Min. Adama George
