Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
Isaac didn't become an Abraham or a Jacob. I love the way that Elder Tuttle related Isaac's emphasis on the common thing of life to us today. He taught the Issac "did not reach the heights of Abraham, called the "father of the faithful." Nor was he as impressive as his son Israel, father of the twelve tribes. Yet Isaac is loved and revered. He worshiped God, cared for his home, and pursued his work. He is remembered simply as a man of peace. Isaac knew the importance of everyday events and that made him great. Altar, tent, and well: his worship, his home, his work. The focus on these basic things of life signified his relationship to God, his family, and his fellowmen. Every person on earth is touched by these three same roles to fill. How little things have changed since Isaac's day--the things that really matter. There is the same God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the same family roles to fill, the same need to work. Altar, tent, and well: these things are essential. Placed in proper perspective by God's revealed word, they provide at once our greatest challenge and achievement." This week we learn from Rebekah and Isaac as we study Genesis 24-27.
A thirsty camel can drink as many as 30 gallons of water in 13 minutes. 30 gallons per camel and 10 thirsty camels means that Rebekah would be drawing 300 gallons of water from a well.
Some Characteristics of Rebekah:
A thirsty camel can drink as many as 30 gallons of water in 13 minutes. 30 gallons per camel and 10 thirsty camels means that Rebekah would be drawing 300 gallons of water from a well.
Some Characteristics of Rebekah:
- Virtuous (v. 16)
- Kind (v. 18)
- Thoughtful (v. 18)
- Hard worker (v. 19)
- Quick to serve (v. 20)
- “I will go” (v. 58)
- Respectful when seeing Isaac – got off the camel (v. 64)
REBEKAH |
THE BRIDE OF CHRIST |
Rebekah learned of her bridegroom through living a Christlike life, filled with service and charity (Genesis 24:12-28). |
Christ, our Bridegroom, has told us, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17). |
Rebekah knew a bit about her bridegroom (Isaac) but had never met him when she committed to marry him (Genesis 24). |
We know only a little of Christ when we (as His bride) commit to enter into a covenant relationship with Him. |
A mortal man taught her about her awaiting bridegroom, and she felt the Spirit and believed (Genesis 24). |
Mortal men (prophets) reveal Christ to us, and we can feel the Spirit and know that their testimony is true (Acts 10:38-48). |
Before ever meeting her bridegroom, Rebekah was blessed by him (Genesis 24:22). |
Before we ever meet Christ, we partake of the blessings He freely sends us (Mosiah 4:16-26). |
Rather than being forced, Rebekah chose to enter into a covenant relationship with Isaac in advance of meeting him (Genesis 24:58). |
We must chose ourselves to enter into a covenant relationship with the Bridegroom (Christ) in advance of our meeting Him. |
Rebekah’s covenant relationship with Isaac brought her posterity and the receipt of all that Isaac had. Indeed, it brought her all of the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. |
Our covenant relationship with Christ, if we are faithful to it, will bring us innumerable posterity and an inheritance of all that He possesses (Romans 8:17). Indeed, it will bring upon us all of the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It will bring us our exaltation. |
President Spencer W. Kimball: “The greatest single factor affecting what you are going to be tomorrow, your activity, your attitudes, your eventual destiny . . . is the one decision you make . . . when you ask that individual to be your companion for life. That’s the most important decision of your entire life! It isn’t where you are going to school, or what lessons you are going to study, or what your major is, or how you are going to make your living. These, though important, are incidental and nothing compared with the important decision that you make when you ask someone to be your companion for eternity.” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, Edward L. Kimball, ed. [1982], 301).
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “The most important single thing that any Latter-day Saint ever does in this world … is to marry the right person in the right place by the right authority” (“Celestial Marriage” [Brigham Young University devotional, Nov. 15, 1955], 6).
President Ezra Taft Benson: "One good yardstick as to whether a person might be the right one for you is this: in her presence, do you think your noblest thoughts, do you aspire to your finest deeds, do you wish you were better than you are?" ("To the Single Adult Brethren of the Church," Ensign, May 1988, 53)
President Gordon B. Hinckley: “There is no substitute for marrying in the temple. It is the only place under the heavens where marriage can be solemnized for eternity. Don’t cheat yourself. Don’t cheat your companion. Don’t shortchange your lives. Marry the right person in the right place at the right time.” (“Life’s Obligations,” Ensign, Feb. 1999, 2).
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: “Now, there are those among you fine young members of the Church who might never marry. Although they are worthy in every way, they may never find someone to whom they will be sealed in the temple of the Lord in this life. …
“… I cannot tell you why one individual’s prayers are answered one way while someone else’s are answered differently. But this I can tell you: the righteous desires of your hearts will be fulfilled.
“… The brief span of this life is nothing in comparison with eternity. And if only we can hope and exercise faith and joyfully endure to the end … there, in that great heavenly future, we will have the fulfillment of the righteous desires of our hearts and so very much more that we can scarcely comprehend now” (“The Reflection in the Water” [Church Educational System devotional, Nov. 1, 2009]; LDS.org).
•Isaac is married at age 40 (25:20).
•Rebekah was barren (25:21).
•Barren for 19 years (25:26).
•Isaac entreated (ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do something) and after 19 years….
•Rebekah inquired (to ask, to investigate) and received revelation for her and her family. (25:22-23)
•We can ask earnestly, anxiously, and investigate God’s will and His timing.
Genesisi 25:17 - Plain (Heb. תָּם – tām) means whole, complete, perfect, simple, plain.
Recent translations continue to use the word ‘plain’ in this verse (See Alder p.87). Jacob is the plain boy who chooses to become a spiritual giant. Most of us are not the homecoming queen, or the star of the football team. The average person may really relate to Jacob.
"One wonders what all of this wrestling, naming, birthright swapping, and fighting meant to Moses. Why did he see this as a story that had such meaning for his readers? The early Church fathers were quite consistent in how they interpreted this story.
President Dallin H. Oaks: “The contrast between the spiritual and the temporal is also illustrated by the twins Esau and Jacob and their different attitudes toward their birthright. The firstborn, Esau, “despised his birthright.” Jacob, the second twin, desired it. Jacob valued the spiritual, while Esau sought the things of this world. When he was hungry, Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. “Behold,” he explained, “I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?”
“Many Esaus have given up something of eternal value in order to satisfy a momentary hunger for the things of the world.” (Spirituality,” Ensign, Nov. 1985, 61.)
If we value temporary or worldly pleasures more than we value eternal blessings, then we may lose those blessings.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: “In the 1960s, a professor at Stanford University began a modest experiment testing the willpower of four-year-old children. He placed before them a large marshmallow and then told them they could eat it right away or, if they waited for 15 minutes, they could have two marshmallows.
“He then left the children alone and watched what happened behind a two-way mirror. Some of the children ate the marshmallow immediately; some could wait only a few minutes before giving in to temptation. Only 30 percent were able to wait.
“It was a mildly interesting experiment, and the professor moved on to other areas of research, for, in his own words, “there are only so many things you can do with kids trying not to eat marshmallows.” But as time went on, he kept track of the children and began to notice an interesting correlation: the children who could not wait struggled later in life and had more behavioral problems, while those who waited tended to be more positive and better motivated, have higher grades and incomes, and have healthier relationships.
“What started as a simple experiment with children and marshmallows became a landmark study suggesting that the ability to wait—to be patient—was a key character trait that might predict later success in life. (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/04/continue-in-patience?lang=eng)
“What win I, if I gain the thing I seek?
A dream, a breath, a froth of fleeting joy.
Who buys a minute's mirth to wail a week?
Or sells eternity to get a toy?
For one sweet grape who will the vine destroy?
Or what fond beggar, but to touch the crown,
Would with the sceptre straight be strucken down?”
― William Shakespeare, The Rape of Lucrece
“Isaac did not become an Abraham or a Jacob. He did not reach the heights of Abraham, called the "father of the faithful." Nor was he as impressive as his son Israel, father of the twelve tribes. Yet Isaac is loved and revered. He worshiped God, cared for his home, and pursued his work. He is remembered simply as a man of peace. The eloquent simplicity of his life and his unique ability to lend importance to the commonplace made him great. Altar, tent, and well: his worship, his home, his work. These basic things of life signified his relationship to God, his family and his fellowmen. Every person on earth is touched by these three. Same roles to fill. How little things have changed since Isaac's day--the things that really matter. There is the same God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the same family roles to fill, the same need to work. Altar, tent, and well: these things are essential. Placed in proper perspective by God's revealed word, they provide at once our greatest challenge and achievement.” (A. Theodore Tuttle, Conference Report, Oct. 1972, pp. 68-69.)
The altar first:
He pitched his tent:
The well:
Jacob as a type of Christ.
Teaching Thoughts:
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “The most important single thing that any Latter-day Saint ever does in this world … is to marry the right person in the right place by the right authority” (“Celestial Marriage” [Brigham Young University devotional, Nov. 15, 1955], 6).
President Ezra Taft Benson: "One good yardstick as to whether a person might be the right one for you is this: in her presence, do you think your noblest thoughts, do you aspire to your finest deeds, do you wish you were better than you are?" ("To the Single Adult Brethren of the Church," Ensign, May 1988, 53)
President Gordon B. Hinckley: “There is no substitute for marrying in the temple. It is the only place under the heavens where marriage can be solemnized for eternity. Don’t cheat yourself. Don’t cheat your companion. Don’t shortchange your lives. Marry the right person in the right place at the right time.” (“Life’s Obligations,” Ensign, Feb. 1999, 2).
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: “Now, there are those among you fine young members of the Church who might never marry. Although they are worthy in every way, they may never find someone to whom they will be sealed in the temple of the Lord in this life. …
“… I cannot tell you why one individual’s prayers are answered one way while someone else’s are answered differently. But this I can tell you: the righteous desires of your hearts will be fulfilled.
“… The brief span of this life is nothing in comparison with eternity. And if only we can hope and exercise faith and joyfully endure to the end … there, in that great heavenly future, we will have the fulfillment of the righteous desires of our hearts and so very much more that we can scarcely comprehend now” (“The Reflection in the Water” [Church Educational System devotional, Nov. 1, 2009]; LDS.org).
•Isaac is married at age 40 (25:20).
•Rebekah was barren (25:21).
•Barren for 19 years (25:26).
•Isaac entreated (ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do something) and after 19 years….
•Rebekah inquired (to ask, to investigate) and received revelation for her and her family. (25:22-23)
•We can ask earnestly, anxiously, and investigate God’s will and His timing.
Genesisi 25:17 - Plain (Heb. תָּם – tām) means whole, complete, perfect, simple, plain.
Recent translations continue to use the word ‘plain’ in this verse (See Alder p.87). Jacob is the plain boy who chooses to become a spiritual giant. Most of us are not the homecoming queen, or the star of the football team. The average person may really relate to Jacob.
"One wonders what all of this wrestling, naming, birthright swapping, and fighting meant to Moses. Why did he see this as a story that had such meaning for his readers? The early Church fathers were quite consistent in how they interpreted this story.
- Rebekah was told by the Lord that: “Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23).
- Esau represented Ancient Israel, and the law of Moses - Judaism.
- Jacob represented the new covenant that Christ would later give - Christianity.
- •In New Testament times, the firstborn (Judaism) was the stronger “nation” (religion).
- •The second-born (Christianity) was the weaker “nation” (religion).
- •However, just as Jacob supplanted or replaced Esau as the possessor of the birthright (or chosen status), Christianity replaced Judaism.
- •Esau lost his birthright or chosen status because he loved the things of this world more than he loved his right to spiritual blessings.
- •Similarly, it is suggested that Ancient Israel lost their right to the birthright or chosen status because they loved the things of this world more than their right to spiritual blessings through the Messiah.
- Jacob came to Isaac in a form that was unrecognizable, just as Christ came to the Jews in a form that was unrecognizable to them. Jacob came in the skins of a goat, and Christ came as the scape-goat.
- Jacob made an offering to Esau of red pottage, bread and wine, and to his father of “savory” meat, bread and wine. Christ’s offerings were the true bread, his flesh, and the wine of his blood.
- Because of these offerings, Jacob received exaltation over his brother. Christ’s offerings have secured for Him exaltation over all nations and peoples.
- The Jews despised the Messiah and the birthright that He offered them. Esau despised his birthright and willingly gave it up.
- Esau was angry at Jacob and sought to kill him. Similarly, the Jews killed Christ, and persecuted the Christians for claiming to be the recipients of the birthright of Covenant Israel.
- Jacob had to flee into the wilderness in order to preserve himself. In the book of Revelation, John depicts the new Christian Church as being commanded by God to flee “into the wilderness” (Revelation 12:6) so that it could be preserved when the apostasy came.
- In Genesis chapter 33, Esau and Jacob are reunited. This may well be a symbol of the reunion of the two covenant people at the return of Christ (Doc and Cov 45:51-53).(See, Tertullian, “An Answer to the Jews,” chapter one, in Roberts and Donaldson (1994), 3:151; Irenaeus, “Against Heresies,” 21:3, in Roberts and Donaldson (1994), 1:493; Cyprian of Carthage, “The Treatise of Cyprian” Treatise 12, Book 1, Verse 19, in Roberts and Donaldson (1994), 5:512. See also, Read (1990), 29-30; Madsen (2002), 42-44.)
President Dallin H. Oaks: “The contrast between the spiritual and the temporal is also illustrated by the twins Esau and Jacob and their different attitudes toward their birthright. The firstborn, Esau, “despised his birthright.” Jacob, the second twin, desired it. Jacob valued the spiritual, while Esau sought the things of this world. When he was hungry, Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. “Behold,” he explained, “I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?”
“Many Esaus have given up something of eternal value in order to satisfy a momentary hunger for the things of the world.” (Spirituality,” Ensign, Nov. 1985, 61.)
If we value temporary or worldly pleasures more than we value eternal blessings, then we may lose those blessings.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: “In the 1960s, a professor at Stanford University began a modest experiment testing the willpower of four-year-old children. He placed before them a large marshmallow and then told them they could eat it right away or, if they waited for 15 minutes, they could have two marshmallows.
“He then left the children alone and watched what happened behind a two-way mirror. Some of the children ate the marshmallow immediately; some could wait only a few minutes before giving in to temptation. Only 30 percent were able to wait.
“It was a mildly interesting experiment, and the professor moved on to other areas of research, for, in his own words, “there are only so many things you can do with kids trying not to eat marshmallows.” But as time went on, he kept track of the children and began to notice an interesting correlation: the children who could not wait struggled later in life and had more behavioral problems, while those who waited tended to be more positive and better motivated, have higher grades and incomes, and have healthier relationships.
“What started as a simple experiment with children and marshmallows became a landmark study suggesting that the ability to wait—to be patient—was a key character trait that might predict later success in life. (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/04/continue-in-patience?lang=eng)
“What win I, if I gain the thing I seek?
A dream, a breath, a froth of fleeting joy.
Who buys a minute's mirth to wail a week?
Or sells eternity to get a toy?
For one sweet grape who will the vine destroy?
Or what fond beggar, but to touch the crown,
Would with the sceptre straight be strucken down?”
― William Shakespeare, The Rape of Lucrece
“Isaac did not become an Abraham or a Jacob. He did not reach the heights of Abraham, called the "father of the faithful." Nor was he as impressive as his son Israel, father of the twelve tribes. Yet Isaac is loved and revered. He worshiped God, cared for his home, and pursued his work. He is remembered simply as a man of peace. The eloquent simplicity of his life and his unique ability to lend importance to the commonplace made him great. Altar, tent, and well: his worship, his home, his work. These basic things of life signified his relationship to God, his family and his fellowmen. Every person on earth is touched by these three. Same roles to fill. How little things have changed since Isaac's day--the things that really matter. There is the same God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the same family roles to fill, the same need to work. Altar, tent, and well: these things are essential. Placed in proper perspective by God's revealed word, they provide at once our greatest challenge and achievement.” (A. Theodore Tuttle, Conference Report, Oct. 1972, pp. 68-69.)
The altar first:
- Don’t let God become an afterthought.
- Everything else in life is blessed by God.
He pitched his tent:
- Everyday work is needed.
- Routine tasks
The well:
- Essential for existence.
- Provides for you and for generations to come.
- Water is a symbol for a deeper spiritual thirst.
- Spiritual wells dug through daily discipleship.
Jacob as a type of Christ.
- He was loved of God before his birth (Romans 9:10-13).
- He was seen by others as being a ‘plain’ man (Gen 25:27, Isaiah 53:2)
- Claiming the right of the firstborn he sought the birthright blessing from his father (Gen 27:19).
- His father felt him and found in his hands the marks of the firstborn, "so he blessed him" (Gen 27:22-23).
- He was promised that nations would bow down to him, that he would be lord over his brethren, and his mother's sons would bow to him (Gen 27:29).
- He was both prince and servant.
- As a Prince he had power with God and with men.
- He blessed the whole house of Israel.
- He left the house of God (Bethel) for a land of exile (Gen 28:19).
- He was hated and persecuted in the land of exile.
- He was falsely accused but he did no sin (Gen 31:1-2,7,30-37).
- •When his work in the land of exile was done he returned to the land of his father and God was with him (Gen 31:3).
- Before returning to the land of his father he went through a great struggle where he wept and made supplication to his Father (Hosea 12:4).
- Before the night of struggle he called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night" (Gen 31:54).
- Approaching that night of struggle he was greatly afraid and distressed and he divided the people that were with him (Gen 31:7).
- He paid a great price to appease the demands to and spare the house of Israel (Gen 31:20).
- He was left alone and suffered both body and spirit (Gen 32:24-28).
- An angel appeared to him during his night of struggle and strengthened him (Gen 48:16).
- He finally prevailed, but not without carrying the marks of his struggle for the rest of his life (Gen 32:31-32).
- In spite of this great struggle his life was preserved (Gen 32:30). 22, He was redeemed from all evil (Gen 48:16).
- The house of Israel commemorates to this day the struggle and hold the marks of the struggle as sacred (Gen 32:32).
- He saw God face to face (Gen 32:30).
- Because he did none other thing than that which he was commanded, he has entered into his exaltation according to the promises, and sits upon a throne and is a god (D&C 132:37).
- His name was changed to Israel which means prince of God, or one who prevails (or preserves) with God.
- Through Christ, he became a perfect man (Gen 25:27b). (Joseph F. McConkie, Gospel Symbolism, Salt Lake City, Bookcraft, 1985, pp. 147-160.)
Teaching Thoughts:
- Plan you day based on Altar first (God), Tent (family), and Digging a well (Work/fellowman).
- We have limited details on righteous women in the scripture. Rebekah is an excellent role model for women. Especially with youth, your entire time may be focused on Rebekah.
- “And he loved her.” (Genesis 24:67)
- What principles can we learn from Rebekah’s, Isaac’s, and Esau’s choices and their consequences?