This week we continue my summer lectionary series called "Genesis Roots." The word genesis means origin, beginning, or birth. Root,
in the context in which I'm writing, means essential core or source of
life. In a way, the roots of the story of monotheistic faith rest in
the stories we find in Genesis.
God works in mysterious ways. Indeed. Sometimes, mysterious is almost unbelievable. I find the story of the way Isaac and Rebekah came to meet each other, get married, and fall in love ... to be pretty mysterious in a way that only God could orchestrate. Ishmael's mother, Hagar, had gotten him a wife from Egypt, which may have dismayed his father, Abraham. Now that Sarah has passed away, Abraham insists that that Isaac's wife be a relative from his father's house. He plans, with help from his servant, to make that happen. Personally, I think Abraham has learned as much from Sarah as he is directed by God!
Read these excerpts, Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-61 (NET - Link to The VOICE Bible) to hear the amazing story of how Abraham's servant, a pretty prayerful guy himself, finds Rebekah to become Isaac's wife.
“I am the servant of Abraham,” he began. “The Lord has richly blessed my master and he has become very wealthy. The Lord has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. My master’s wife Sarah bore a son to him when she was old, and my master has given him everything he owns. My master made me swear an oath. He said, ‘You must not acquire a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, but you must go to the family of my father and to my relatives to find a wife for my son.’
When I came to the spring today, I prayed, ‘O Lord, God of my master Abraham, if you have decided to make my journey successful, may events unfold as follows: Here I am, standing by the spring. When the young woman goes out to draw water, I’ll say, “Give me a little water to drink from your jug.” Then she will reply to me, “Drink, and I’ll draw water for your camels too.” May that woman be the one whom the Lord has chosen for my master’s son.’
“Before I finished praying in my heart, along came Rebekah with her water jug on her shoulder! She went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’ She quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I’ll give your camels water too.’ So I drank, and she also gave the camels water. Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She replied, ‘The daughter of Bethuel the son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to Nahor.’ I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her wrists. Then I bowed down and worshiped the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right path to find the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son. Now, if you will show faithful love to my master, tell me. But if not, tell me as well, so that I may go on my way.”
So they called Rebekah and asked her, “Do you want to go with this man?” She replied, “I want to go.” So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, accompanied by her female attendant, with Abraham’s servant and his men. They blessed Rebekah with these words: “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands of ten thousands! May your descendants possess the strongholds of their enemies.” Then Rebekah and her female servants mounted the camels and rode away with the man. So Abraham’s servant took Rebekah and left.
As we can see from these passages, Abraham's servant is a praying man and God is listening ... or perhaps we might say that when we are praying "in the Spirit" and watching for God's movement in our circumstances, everything falls into place.
Breathing in (who do you worship?) ... Mysterious God
Breathing out (what do you need?) ... Give me peace with the unknown
and when you are ready to move deeper into the text, pray ... Mysterious God, I often wonder at the way you work in the world and in my life. Help me to recognize when you are calling me into the unknown, but then it is really only unknown to me. You are there, in my future, with all that I need. Help me trust in you. In Christ, Amen.
Click here to read in original Lectio Version: The VOICE Bible
Now Isaac came from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. He went out to relax in the field in the early evening. Then he looked up and saw that there were camels approaching. Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel and asked Abraham’s servant, “Who is that man walking in the field toward us?” “That is my master,” the servant replied. So she took her veil and covered herself.
The servant told Isaac everything that had happened. Then Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent. He took her as his wife and loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
God works in mysterious ways. Indeed. Sometimes, mysterious is almost unbelievable. I find the story of the way Isaac and Rebekah came to meet each other, get married, and fall in love ... to be pretty mysterious in a way that only God could orchestrate. Ishmael's mother, Hagar, had gotten him a wife from Egypt, which may have dismayed his father, Abraham. Now that Sarah has passed away, Abraham insists that that Isaac's wife be a relative from his father's house. He plans, with help from his servant, to make that happen. Personally, I think Abraham has learned as much from Sarah as he is directed by God!
Read these excerpts, Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-61 (NET - Link to The VOICE Bible) to hear the amazing story of how Abraham's servant, a pretty prayerful guy himself, finds Rebekah to become Isaac's wife.
“I am the servant of Abraham,” he began. “The Lord has richly blessed my master and he has become very wealthy. The Lord has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. My master’s wife Sarah bore a son to him when she was old, and my master has given him everything he owns. My master made me swear an oath. He said, ‘You must not acquire a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, but you must go to the family of my father and to my relatives to find a wife for my son.’
When I came to the spring today, I prayed, ‘O Lord, God of my master Abraham, if you have decided to make my journey successful, may events unfold as follows: Here I am, standing by the spring. When the young woman goes out to draw water, I’ll say, “Give me a little water to drink from your jug.” Then she will reply to me, “Drink, and I’ll draw water for your camels too.” May that woman be the one whom the Lord has chosen for my master’s son.’
“Before I finished praying in my heart, along came Rebekah with her water jug on her shoulder! She went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’ She quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I’ll give your camels water too.’ So I drank, and she also gave the camels water. Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She replied, ‘The daughter of Bethuel the son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to Nahor.’ I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her wrists. Then I bowed down and worshiped the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right path to find the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son. Now, if you will show faithful love to my master, tell me. But if not, tell me as well, so that I may go on my way.”
So they called Rebekah and asked her, “Do you want to go with this man?” She replied, “I want to go.” So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, accompanied by her female attendant, with Abraham’s servant and his men. They blessed Rebekah with these words: “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands of ten thousands! May your descendants possess the strongholds of their enemies.” Then Rebekah and her female servants mounted the camels and rode away with the man. So Abraham’s servant took Rebekah and left.
As we can see from these passages, Abraham's servant is a praying man and God is listening ... or perhaps we might say that when we are praying "in the Spirit" and watching for God's movement in our circumstances, everything falls into place.
- Have you ever prayed in the way of Abraham's servant?
- How did God "answer" your prayer?
- How has our mysterious God worked in the circumstances of your life?
- Can you remember a time when you said yes and surrendered to God in faith, not knowing what that really meant for you?
- How do you feel when you follow God into the unknown?
Breathing in (who do you worship?) ... Mysterious God
Breathing out (what do you need?) ... Give me peace with the unknown
and when you are ready to move deeper into the text, pray ... Mysterious God, I often wonder at the way you work in the world and in my life. Help me to recognize when you are calling me into the unknown, but then it is really only unknown to me. You are there, in my future, with all that I need. Help me trust in you. In Christ, Amen.
Step 1: Lectio … Reading
Read Genesis 24:62-67 (NET) slowly, taking in the story that is unfolding.
Listen for a word or phrase that catches your attention.
Silently focus on that word or phrase or perhaps an image that is forming.
Sit with your word or phrase or image for as long as seems good to you.
Allow it to sift through your heart and mind.
Let the story come alive in your soul through that word, phrase, image.
Read Genesis 24:62-67 (NET) slowly, taking in the story that is unfolding.
Listen for a word or phrase that catches your attention.
Silently focus on that word or phrase or perhaps an image that is forming.
Sit with your word or phrase or image for as long as seems good to you.
Allow it to sift through your heart and mind.
Let the story come alive in your soul through that word, phrase, image.
Click here to read in original Lectio Version: The VOICE Bible
Now Isaac came from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. He went out to relax in the field in the early evening. Then he looked up and saw that there were camels approaching. Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel and asked Abraham’s servant, “Who is that man walking in the field toward us?” “That is my master,” the servant replied. So she took her veil and covered herself.
The servant told Isaac everything that had happened. Then Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent. He took her as his wife and loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
Step 2: Meditatio … Receiving
Continue to focus on your word or phrase or image.
Pay attention to the thoughts and feelings it evokes.
What memories come to your mind?
Ask God to continue to speak to you and reveal your path.
Listen and watch for God’s mysterious presence as you move through your day
Step 3: Oratio … Responding
Consider any desires that have been awakened by your prayer
Perhaps you have found an area of your life that needs attention
Do not rush ... wait and listen as God forms your prayers and desires
Step 4: Contempatio … Resting
Allow your word, phrase or image to fall away ...
Allow yourself to rest in the silence ...
Continue to focus on your word or phrase or image.
Pay attention to the thoughts and feelings it evokes.
What memories come to your mind?
Ask God to continue to speak to you and reveal your path.
Listen and watch for God’s mysterious presence as you move through your day
Step 3: Oratio … Responding
Consider any desires that have been awakened by your prayer
Perhaps you have found an area of your life that needs attention
Do not rush ... wait and listen as God forms your prayers and desires
Step 4: Contempatio … Resting
Allow your word, phrase or image to fall away ...
Allow yourself to rest in the silence ...
If images are a pathway to God for you, you may want to pray while "gazing" upon this painting of Abraham, Isaac, and the Messenger of God. How does this image resonate with what has arisen within you?
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| Rebecca Meets Isaac by the Way, c. 1896-1902, by James Jacques Joseph Tissot, in public domain, wikimedia commons |
To end your time of praying with scripture, pray this prayer of surrender written by
Thomas A Kempis, 1380-1471, author of Imitation of Christ:
Lord, You know what is best; let this be done or that be done as You please.
Give what You will, as much as You will, when You will.
Do with me as You know best, as will most please You,
and will be for Your greater honor.
Place me where You will and deal with me freely in all things.
I am in Your hand; turn me about whichever way You will.
Behold, I am Your servant, ready to obey in all things.
Not for myself do I desire to live, but for You -
would that I could do this worthily and perfectly! Amen.
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