Rebekah at the Well

8/14/2019 Rebekah at the Well

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SSSSSSSSccccccccrrrrrrrriiiiiiiippppppppttttttttuuuuuuuurrrrrrrreeeeeeee:::: GGGGenesis 24enesis 24enesis 24enesis 24

SSSSSSSSttttttttoooooooorrrrrrrryyyyyyyy: Abraham wanted his son Isaac to marry. They lived in Canaan, and he did not want him to marry a

Canaanite girl.

Abraham sent his highest servant back to his homeland to find Isaac a wife As the servant reached the outer edges of the city he came to a well. He asked in his heart for God to

send a woman to feed him water and his camels, then he would know this was to be Isaacs wife. Hebarely finished his prayer when a woman arrived. She gave him and his camels water to drink. He askeher who her family was and was surprised to find she was the daughter of Abrahams brother.

The servant asked if he could stay at Rebekahs home and she welcomed him and ran to tell her family.

Before the servant ate the food placed before him, he told her family why he was there, and what hadhappened at the well.

Rebekah agreed to be Isaacs wife! Before she left her family gave her a blessing that told her she wouldbe the mother of nations.

Upon arriving back in the land of Canaan Isaac came to meet them and was happy to find Rebekah, thescriptures say, He Loved her

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The Influence of Righteous WomenThe Influence of Righteous WomenThe Influence of Righteous WomenThe Influence of Righteous WomenThe scriptures give us names of several women who have blessed individuals and generations with their spiritual gifts. Eve,the mother of all living; Sarah; Rebekah; Rachel; Martha; Elisabeth; and Mary, the mother of our Savior, will always behonored and remembered. The scriptures also mention women whose names are unknown to us but who bless our livesthrough their examples and teachings, like the woman of Samaria whom Jesus met at the well of Sychar (see John 4), theideal wife and mother described in Proverbs 31, and the faithful woman who was made whole just by touching the Saviors

clothes (see Mark 5:2534).

As we look at the history of this earth and , it becomes obvious that women hold a special place in our Fathers plan for theeternal happiness and well-being of His children.

I hope that my dear sisters throughout the worldgrandmothers, mothers, aunts, and friendsnever underestimate thepower of their influence for good, especially in the lives of our precious children and youth!

The writer of Proverbs said, Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it(Proverbs 22:6).

Abraham

Ishmael Isaac


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Pres. Hinckley counseled the women: It is so tremendously important that women stand strong and immovable for thatwhich is correct and proper under the plan of the Lord. We call upon the women of the Church to stand together forrighteousness. They must begin in their own homes. They can teach it in their classes. They can voice it in theircommunities.

There is a saying that big gates move on small hinges. Sisters, your example in seemingly small things willmake a big difference in the lives of our young people. The way you dress and groom yourselves, the way youtalk, the way you pray, the way you testify, the way you live every day will make the difference. This includeswhich TV shows you watch, which music you prefer, and how you use the Internet.

A Unique Feminine IdentityA Unique Feminine IdentityA Unique Feminine IdentityA Unique Feminine Identity

We are living in a great season for all women ... Sisters, you are an essential part of our Heavenly Fathers plan for eternahappiness; you are endowed with a divine birthright. You are the real builders of nations wherever you live, because stronghomes of love and peace will bring security to any nation. I hope you understand that, and I hope the men understanit too.

What you sisters do today will determine how the principles of the restored gospel can influence the nations of the worldtomorrow. It will determine how these heavenly rays of the gospel will light every land in the future.

Though we often speak of the influence of women on future generations, please do not underestimate the influence you

can have today. Some of us look forward to a time in the futuresalvation and exaltation in the world to comebut today part of eternity.

Blessings beyond ImaginingBlessings beyond ImaginingBlessings beyond ImaginingBlessings beyond Imagining

May I invite you to rise to the great potential within you. But dont reach beyond your capacity. Dont set goals beyond yourcapacity to achieve. Dont feel guilty or dwell on thoughts of failure. Dont compare yourself with others. Do the best you canand the Lord will provide the rest. Have faith and confidence in Him, and you will see miracles happen in your life and thelives of your loved ones. The virtue of your own life will be a light to those who sit in darkness, because you are aliving witness of the fullness of the gospel. Wherever you have been planted on this beautiful but often troubledearth of ours, you can be the one to succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feebleknees (D&C 81:5).

My dear sisters, as you live your daily life with all its blessings and challenges, let me assure you that the Lord loves you. Heknows you. He listens to your prayers, and He answers those prayers, wherever on this world you may be. He wants you tosucceed in this life and in eternity. - Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Sep 2009

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(past & present)(past & present)(past & present)(past & present)

1. Talk about each of them, discuss what a blessing they are in your lives, whawonderful things they do to bless your life.

2. Take a few minutes and write a note to each of the women who are still alivand express to them your gratitude of their goodness.


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RebekahRebekahRebekahRebekah

The Thing Proceedeth from the Lord

In response to her generosity, and knowing that the Lord had answered his prayer, the servant of Abraham placed some jewelry uponRebekah (see Gen. 24:22). She might have understood this gesture to indicate this man wanted her to marry someone, for in ancientHebrew custom, when a man wished to enter into a betrothal commitment, he would enlist a friend or legal representative to present gifts the hoped-for bride. 2 Rebekah ran, and told them of her mothers house these things (Gen. 24:28).

Abrahams servant followed her, and upon meeting her family he explained his matrimonial errand (see Gen. 24:3349). They listened anwere touched by the Spirit of the Lord (see Gen. 24:5051). When Abrahams servant heard their words, he worshipped the Lord, bowinghimself to the earth (Gen. 24:52).

But would Rebekah want to go? Wilt thou go with this man? her family asked. The scripture simply records her trusting reply, I will go(Gen. 24:58; see also 1 Ne. 3:7). Rebekah was ready when called to build the Lords kingdom as a wife and mother.

The faith of Abraham, his servant, and Rebekah and her family remind us that faith in God is essential in all things, including finding aspouse and preparing for marriage and family life.

Jewels of Gold, and Raiment

It was customary for the bridegroom to also give gifts to the brides family. Thus the servant of Abraham gave Rebekahs brother and toher mother precious things (Gen. 24:53). The acceptance of gifts by Rebekah and her family confirmed the betrothal and commitment tothe proposed union. Betrothed couples then entered an engagement period, when they were to demonstrate a commitment to theirbetrothal covenant through honesty and self-control. Similarly, the proven ability of a potential marriage partner today to keep baptismal,priesthood, or temple covenants shows that that person is honorable before God and others.

She Took a Vail

After a long journey, Eliezer, Rebekah, and those who traveled with them arrived in the land of Canaan to meet Isaac. Rebekah had acharacter trait that showed her readiness for a covenant marriage: When she saw Isaac, she took a vail, and covered herself ( Gen.24:6465). It was common for unmarried women in Rebekahs day to go about in public with their faces unveiled. So when Rebekah put oa veil, it was a sign of her virtue, reverence, humility, and modesty and showed respect for her future spouse. Similarly, those who entermarriage todayboth men and womenneed the qualities of character Rebekah showed in this simple but dignified act.

The Great Day of the Lord

Rebekahs charity, faith in God, commitment to covenants, and virtue enabled her to consecrate her life to the Lord and His plan. Herexample can help guide us toward marriage within the Lords covenant and can also be applied to preparing for the coming of the greatBridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ, at His Second Coming (see D&C 133:10). 3

For example, of charity the Savior taught that whosoever shall give to drink a cup of cold water to others will in no wise lose theirreward (Matt. 10:42).

The Lord counseled, Be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at thecoming of the Bridegroom (D&C 33:17). We help to prepare our lamps by exercising faith in God in our daily decisions.

The Psalmist asked, Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? Answering, he wrote, He that hathclean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully (Ps. 24:34; emphasis added).Commitment to sacred covenants is requisite for abiding His presence at His coming when every knee shall bow in humble reverencebefore the Savior (see Isa. 45:23).

In choosing goodness, Rebekah became an example of charity, faith in God, commitment, and reverence. Elder Richard G. Scott of theQuorum of the Twelve Apostles has counseled: If you are single and havent identified a solid prospect for celestial marriage, live for it.Pray for it. Expect it in the timetable of the Lord. Do not compromise your standards in any way that would rule out that blessing on this orthe other side of the veil. 4 Further, Rebekahs story encourages us to awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bridegroom. Prepareyourselves for the great day of the Lord (D&C 133:10).

By Cynthia L. Hallen, Ensign, Jan 2002, 39

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Rebekah at the Well