A Woman of Faith and Flaws
Rebekah’s life after marriage is recorded from Genesis 24:67 onward, particularly in chapters 25 and 27. She steps into a pivotal role as a wife to Isaac and a comforter, spiritual discerner within her home. But she also made mistakes that carry rich lessons for wives walking with God.
Life Lessons to borrow:
1. She Was A Comforter, a Safe Place
Rebekah’s presence brought healing. She stepped into a sacred space of emotional support for her husband in his grief. Rebekah didn’t just fill a role; she became a safe place.
Genesis 24:67 says:“Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.”
Lesson 1:
You don’t have to fix everything in your husband’s life, but your love, prayer, and presence can carry the oil of comfort that soothes pain no words can touch. Your spiritual and emotional strength as a wife matters deeply. You only need to be available for your husband’s heart. Sometimes, the greatest intimacy is found in simply being there, holding space for his grief, dreams, and doubts.
2. She Was Spiritually Discerning
Rebekah had spiritual discernment. She didn’t rely on emotions or guesswork—she went to God. This shows she had a personal relationship with God and could seek clarity and revelation for her family.
In Genesis 25:22–23, when Rebekah was pregnant and sensed turmoil in her womb, she inquired of the Lord—and God revealed that two nations were within her, and that the older would serve the younger.
Lesson 2:
As a wife, don’t ignore your spiritual instincts. God can reveal direction, warning, and purpose to you—not just for yourself, but for your husband, your children, and your household. Seek Him first.
3. She Favored One Child Over Another
In Genesis 27, Rebekah favored Jacob over Esau and helped him deceive Isaac to receive the blessing. Though she may have remembered God’s prophecy, she took matters into her own hands instead of trusting God’s timing.
Fellow wives, we need to remember that even when our discernment is right, the method matters. Rebekah’s actions caused division and heartbreak. Her manipulation cost her dearly—Jacob fled, and she never saw him again.
Lesson 3:
When God gives you insight or instruction, wait for His way, not just His will. Avoid manipulation, even when your intentions are good. Let prayer be your weapon, not control.
4. She Was Influential
There’s no denying Rebekah was influential in her household. She shaped decisions, even major ones. Isaac loved her, and Jacob obeyed her. But influence not surrendered to God can turn to manipulation.
As wives, God has gifted us with great influence through words, tone, and presence. Rebekah shows both the power and danger of influence unchecked by humility and trust.
Lesson 4:
Use your voice to build, not to dominate. Let your strength be submitted strength. Influence is sacred—ask God daily to guide your heart and tongue.
5. She Was Protective of Her Family
When Esau planned to kill Jacob, Rebekah quickly took action to protect her son, urging him to flee to her family (Genesis 27:42–46). Rebekah had deep maternal instincts and a desire to protect Jacob. Though her earlier decisions led to this danger, her instinct to shield her family was sincere.
Lesson 5:
There’s a warrior in every wife and mother. God can refine even our fiercest instincts and turn them into prophetic intercession. You are called to stand in the gap, not just react emotionally.
6. Intimacy Lesson from Rebekah’s Life:
“When he had been there a long time, Abimelek, king of the Philistines, looked down from a window and saw Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah.” —Genesis 26:8 (NIV)
Let’s pause here…
This was a public revelation of private affection. The Hebrew word used—“tsachaq”—means to laugh with, play, or fondly caress. It echoes the joy and intimacy between a husband and wife.
Intimacy begins with surrender and trust. Rebekah’s yes was the first act of vulnerability—stepping into the unknown, trusting God, and trusting the man God had chosen. She didn’t just fill a role; she became a safe place. Her presence brought comfort to her husband’s sorrow.
As time went on, Rebekah and Isaac grew spiritually distant. They both loved their sons, but differently. Rebekah heard from God about Jacob being the chosen one, yet instead of aligning in prayer with her husband, she worked against him. Spiritual intimacy was broken. When communication and agreement are lost, intimacy suffers.
It’s hard to stay close physically or emotionally when there’s division in values or vision.
True intimacy requires unity of spirit, not just shared space.
When control replaces connection:
Rebekah loved Jacob and tried to “help” God’s plan by deceiving Isaac. But manipulation is the enemy of intimacy. Control creates distance. Intimacy thrives in honesty, trust, and mutual respect—not secret plans or hidden agendas. When we act from panic instead of peace, we may sacrifice long-term connection for short-term outcomes.
God redeems even fractured intimacy—but He invites us to build from trust, not fear. He longs to heal the gaps and bring hearts back together.
Let us pray:
Lord, teach me to love like you love me.
To be tender and transparent.
To speak the truth with grace.
To invite, not control.
Help me to let go of fear or
shame that may have dimmed our closeness.
Heal every broken place where intimacy has faded,
and restore the closeness you designed for my marriage.
Lord, restore the joy and playfulness in our connection.
Where we’ve become cold, make us warm again.
Let my husband find joy in my presence, and
May I never withhold my affection out of fear, resentment, or routine.”
As I grow deeper in love with you, LORD, draw us closer to each other.
In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
With love,
Faith Murithi, FAMU.
Faith. Align. Move. Unfold.
