Whenever the new year arrives and I jump into the book of Genesis again, I come across these 10 words and I am again reminded of what I have previously written:
While it didn’t apply to me as a daughter-in-law, I don’t want it to apply to me as an earth-dweller, friend, sister, mother, mother-in-law, one-day-Grandmother and particularly WIFE!
What am I talking about? I’m writing about a little verse in the Bible – 10 words in all – that give insight into one of the world’s most important families. Abraham, Isaac & Jacob – a trio of famous names. Isaac had married Rebekah and they had become the parents of twins, Esau and Jacob. Esau, the firstborn, sold his birthright to Jacob. Esau married two women: Judith & Basemath. It is about them that we read the ten words (Genesis 26:35)
“They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah”
Ouch! Thousands of years later, their names are read and written about. Any good they did is not accounted for. They are remembered as being a source of grief to their inlaws.
Gill’s commentary gives us a good indication why these women were a source of grief to their inlaws…
Relationships are complex. You choose your attitude towards others and can contribute to family dynamics or contaminate them.
But when I read the account of Rebekah and her favouritism over Jacob, I’m also inclined to believe that she was not without fault. She was quite conniving and devious in getting Esau’s blessing to be upon Jacob instead. It has all begun so sweetly when Isaac’s servant went off to find a wife for his master and the Lord directed him to Rebekah. This picture by Benjamin West…
Life starts off so rosy and hopeful. Things don’t always go your way. It seems that sucking in the bad stuff has to happen. Lay it down. Do what’s right. Move forward. Contribute and don’t contaminate. Love. AND, keep the smile going!
I will try to avoid at all costs, being a a ‘source of grief!’
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂