Thursday, July 24, 2008

Seeking True Feminism: Rebekah

What scripture tells us: "The girl was very beautiful, and a virgin" (Genesis 24:16).

The story: Abraham sends his servant to seek a wife for Isaac from Abraham's homeland.
When he arrives there after several days' journey, Rebekah is at the well, drawing water for her family. As unglamorous and mundane as the task was, she was faithful to her work. Rebekah notices Abraham's servant, who has just completed a long journey. He is probably smelly, covered in dirt and sweat, and may not speak her language. She does not stop to question if he may be a friend or a foe; instead, she only notices that he is thirsty and in need. She merely acts as a servant. "Drink" she says. (Genesis 24:18) Then, she "ran back to the well" as Genesis 24:58 states to draw water for his camels. And as slobbery and precocious as they may have been, she quietly serves them as well.

What we can learn: Rebekah was faithful to everyday tasks and a humble servant to those in need. She wasted no time in weighing the losses or costs, she only acted.

The saga continues: The servant follows Rebekah back to her house and tells her family that Abraham has sent him and why he has been sent. They agree that she should return with him, as it is truly God's will. However, they are not quite ready to let her go, and they ask if she can remain with them a few days more. The servant insists that they must return immediately, so they leave the decision up to her. "I will go" she simply states. (Genesis 24:65) Then, she took a veil and covered up.

What we can learn: Rebekah had tremendous faith in God's will to leave her family on such short notice to travel with an unfamiliar man to meet more unfamiliar men, one of whom she would marry. Phew. That takes guts. She also covered up with a veil, which was certainly culturally influenced at the time. We could all take note of and learn from her modesty, however, which is against our culture of this time.

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