Rebekah's Story

"Issac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren." Genesis 25:21a NIV

What is so significant about Issac and the fact that his wife was barren? He himself was born to a barren woman! I wonder if he grew up knowing what a miracle he was. Did his mother, Sarah, fuss over him a little more? Was she over-protective? Was he allowed to participate in typical boy activities, or was he sheltered and kept close to home? However Issac's mother treated him I'm sure he had heard the stories of how she was barren and how she had to wait so long for the child that the Lord had promised to her and Abraham.

So after the wedding, then after the honeymoon, then after the first, second, third and even nineteenth anniversaries came and went without Rebekah getting pregnant, I imagine Issac was experiencing a little de ja vu at his wife's barrenness. I can also imagine Issac's attempts to comfort Rebekah, "Honey, don't worry about it...remember how old my mom was when she had me??? You've got plenty of time!"

Regardless of Rebekah's age, her heart's desire was to have a baby. I wonder how many times Issac held her while she cried her tears of frustration, resentment and sadness. And what an awesome husband he modeled by doing exactly what a Christian husband should do: he went to the Lord and prayed. How beautiful that prayer must have been. A husband on his knees, calling out to the Lord, asking him to give the gift of life to his beloved wife. Oh the power of a praying husband!! The Lord heard his prayer and Rebekah became pregnant with twins! Once again the Lord's timing was perfect and His blessings abundant.

Not all men (or women for that matter) understand the emotional devastation a woman feels when she can not get or stay pregnant. Sometimes it is a relief to them--not another person to take care of or worry about. But the men who know God's word, understand that children are a heritage and a blessing from the Lord. They also understand that if they believe, and ask in prayer they will receive whatever it is they ask for as long as it is in the Lord's will. Issac understood. He prayed and he believed. How blessed was Rebekah to have a God-fearing and understanding husband.

"The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant." Genesis 25:21b NIV

Note: To those who do not have Christian husbands 1 Peter 3:1 says, "Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words [but] by the behavior of their wives." NIV