Rebekah and Isaac began their marriage with prayer. When Abraham sent his trusted servant in search of a wife for Isaac, the servant prayed, and Rebekah was the answer to his prayer.
Once Rebekah and Isaac married, they longed for children, but none came. Genesis 25:21 tells us that Isaac begged the Lord for his wife to bear children. God granted his plea, and Rebekah conceived.
During her pregnancy, the children struggled within her. She didn’t know what to do, so she took it to the Lord. She asked him if all was well, why was this happening to her. (v. 22)
The Lord answered her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.” (Genesis 25:23 ESV)
Sure enough, she gave birth to twins. The first came out hairy and red, and they called him Esau, which means “hairy”. His brother came out next, holding onto Esau’s heel, so they named him Jacob, which means “heel holder” or “supplanter”.
For twenty years, Rebekah and Isaac waiting for their promised sons. Did they pray throughout those years? All we’re told is that Isaac pleaded with God, and God granted his plea. Was God waiting for them to ask before he gave? We don’t know.
It’s also interesting that when Rebekah ran into difficulties with her pregnancy, she took it to God, asking him what was going on within her. I’m sure she wasn’t expecting the answer she got.
What an odd prophecy God gave Rebekah. In their world, the oldest son was the privileged one, and yet God let her know that this would not be the case in their family. What did it mean? Rebekah would find out.
Rebekah’s Prayers in the Bible: Genesis 25:21-23
Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform
Get daily devotionals delivered directly to your inbox.
