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Marriages in the Bible were like marriages today. Some were better than others and some were worse, but all of them had their ups and downs. We can relate to their joys and struggles and learn from these old stories.
Consider the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah. Isaac was the son of promise. They gave birth to Jacob and Esau. What lessons can we learn from this couple?
We see a giving spirit in Rebekah. Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac. When this servant came to a well in the city of Nahor, he prayed for a woman who would give him a drink of water when he asked and who would also give his camels water without her being asked. A beautiful woman came to the well (notice that he didn’t pray for a beautiful woman but for a giving woman) and did both (Gen. 24:18-19). Rebekah had a helping spirit. She didn’t say,”Get some water yourself” or “Those camels are not my responsibility.” Rebekah was a giving person. That is what every husband and wife should be.
This union also shows us that marriage brings comfort. Isaac had lost his mother Sarah. This is a great loss for anyone. Rebekah couldn’t replace Sarah, but she did give him consolation. When they married, “Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death” (Gen. 24:67). We live in a very stressful and sometimes painful world. Couples need to comfort each other. We need to listen, encourage, and show appreciation. We need to put ourselves in the other person ‘s shoes and help one another bear the burdens of life.
Isaac and Rebekah continued their romance. They displayed affection for one another. In the land of Gerar the king saw Isaac “sporting” with Rebekah (Gen. 26:8). Isaac and Rebekah did what couples today should do: they displayed their affection and kept their intimacy alive. Husbands and wives need to plan and work to keep their passion burning. Paul said this is very important (1 Cor. 7:1-5). There are many temptations, hindrances, and distractions that can kill the love in a marriage. Be like Isaac and Rebekah and keep the flame glowing.
This couple had their share of problems. Each one had a favorite son and that contributed to trouble (Gen. 27). Esau married two women who caused Isaac and Rebekah a lot of grief (Gen. 26:34-35; 27:46). In spite of these difficulties, they stayed together. Couples today also bring some problems on themselves and endure other hardships that are beyond their control, but we can and should be like this Old Testament couple and be loyal to each other and to God.
Kerry Duke
West End Church of Christ
Livingston, TN