Episode 32 - Suit Up - Baby Chris Week 32

We're continuing to use Marie Bowen's book, Pregnant With Promise, to study the profiles of the pregnant women in the Bible.  This week we learn about Rebecca's difficult pregnancy and her question: "Why is this happening to me?"   God's response teaches us that God sees us and cares about our difficult circumstances, knows us before we are born, and keeps His promises.

Scripture references in this episode include:

Genesis 22-24            Psalm 91:11-112               Numbers 12:10

Leviticus 13                2 Chronicles 26:19-21    Job 2:7; 20:20

Psalm 121:5                 Jonah 4:6                         Ephesians 6:13-17

John 1:14                      I Peter 2:8                       Psalm 18:2

2 Chronicles 20:15b

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Transcript

Abraham, Isaac, And A Test Of Faith

Host 0:17

Welcome back to the ProLife Kitchen Table. I'm your host, Deborah Hollifield, and I'm glad that you have come back to visit and share another week of thinking about how God responds to our prayers, to our inquiries, to calm our fears, and how God's hand is in our children's unique natures. If that sounds like a lot for a 20-minute podcast, well it is, but we're going to have some help from Marie Bowen's wonderful book, Pregnant with Promise.

Host 0:46

This week's profile is of Rebecca, whose inquiry to God during her pregnancy was why is this happening to me? I think that question sounds familiar to a lot of us. The story of Rebecca and Isaac is set in Genesis chapters 22 through 24. You might want to take a minute to read through them to get settled in the context of today's reflections. If you don't have time to do that now, you might want to revisit it for the details that I'm not able to include.

Host 1:19

In our last episode, Sarah and Abraham became parents in their old age to the son of the promise, Isaac, whose name means laughter. And before that we learned about Sarah's slave, Hagar, who became pregnant before Isaac's birth with his half brother, Ishmael. In chapter 22, God gives Abraham the ultimate test of faith and asks him to sacrifice Isaac, the son of the promise. This is a dramatic story that you really need to read for yourself. But after all the times that Abraham had previously distrusted God's ability to fulfill his promise, this time he complies with God's request. But his hand is stopped by the angel of the Lord just as he is about to thrust a knife into Isaac. God miraculously provides a lamb as a substitute sacrifice, foreshadowing the provision of Christ as our sacrifice for sin in the New Testament. It's truly an amazing display of faith and provision.

The Servant’s Search And Rebecca’s Yes

Host 2:24

In Chapter 23, Sarah dies at the age of 127, and in his old age the widower Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac from among his own people. Abraham doesn't want Isaac to marry a daughter of the pagans, so he requires his servant to swear that he will find a wife for him from among Abraham's own extended family. The servant dutifully swears to honor Abraham's wishes and sets out with ten camels full of gifts and travels to Mesopotamia.

Host 3:00

When he arrives he kneels by a well of water and prays for God to grant him success, and he is soon approached by a young woman, Rebecca, who responds to his request for a drink and even waters his camels. He gives her the gifts that he's brought, and she and her brother invite him to their home.

Host 3:20

After the servant explains to Rebecca's father and brother how God led him to Rebecca in his search for a wife for Isaac, they agreed to allow Rebecca to return with the servant to become Isaac's wife. Imagine leaving home to marry a man you've never seen. The Jewish Encyclopedia estimates that Rebecca was probably only about fourteen years old at that time.

Host 3:44

We're not given much information about her, but we can learn a few things about her from this account. Genesis Chapter 24 verse 16 relates that Rebecca is a beautiful virgin, and her quickness to help Abraham's servant with water and hospitality displays a generous spirit. Genesis Chapter 24, verse 50 reads "The thing has come from the Lord. Behold Rebecca is before you. Take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master's son, as the Lord has spoken."

Marriage, Barren Years, And Persevering Prayer

Host 4:19

We can only imagine the reactions of the unnamed listeners that are not recorded in this exchange. First there's Rebecca, whose life is being unexpectedly and suddenly planned out by strangers. Then there is likely her mother standing in the background with her mind swirling about whether this is good news or bad news, and either way she is about to lose her daughter overnight. Her mother and her brother ask that she be allowed to stay for ten days before leaving, but the servant is anxious to go, and so the departure is planned for the very next day. The group then calls for Rebecca and asks her, will you go with this man? And she says I will go. So they send her away with her nurse and Abraham's servant and his men. This is quite an engagement story. How long was your engagement? How long did you know your spouse before you were married? I don't think there are many of us who can say that we made the decision to marry spontaneously. There is such a thing as love at first sight, but in this story there is no first sight yet, and the decision to marry is immediate. From our vantage point it seems risky and fear inducing. Rebecca and Isaac meet and are married, but we don't know if much time elapsed between these two events. We're told that Isaac loved her and that her presence in his life comforted him after his mother's death.

Host 5:55

We are told that Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebecca. Isaac is the child of the promise, but he is childless because initially it turns out that Rebecca is barren. But Isaac prays, and the Lord answers his prayer for her, and she conceives twins. It seems that Isaac had been taught well by his father Abraham about his own birth, how his mother was also barren for most of her married life, and how Abraham and Sarah's efforts to solve their problems by using Hagar as a surrogate brought pain and trouble, not only to their own family, but to future generations right up to our own time. So instead of taking matters into his own hands, Isaac gives it to God instead.

Host 6:46

Can you point to a time in your life when God granted an answer to your prayer? How did you feel when that happened? And has it helped to strengthen your faith? John Calvin points out in his commentary on Genesis that this was not the first time Isaac had prayed for fruitfulness for Rebecca. Calvin writes, "He had been disappointed about this for twenty years. It was clear that Isaac was indeed blessed with a special persevering faith."

Rebecca’s Troubled Pregnancy And Inquiry

Host 7:20

And now we get to Rebecca's question. Her pregnancy was a joyous event, but it wasn't going to be an easy nine months, because in Genesis chapter 15 verse 22, it says that the children struggled together within her, and she said, "If it is thus, why is this happening to me? So she went to inquire of the Lord."

Host 7:42

She was being kicked and prodded and poked. This is her first pregnancy, and she had waited twenty years for this and she is worried that something's not right. Nothing's more frightening than when something goes awry during a pregnancy. When a doctor can't hear a heartbeat or an ultrasound reveals an abnormality, it can be a terribly painful and frightening experience. Suddenly the excitement of new life growing inside you and the hopes and dreams that you've already imagined for this child's future are at risk.

Twins, Prophecy, And Future Conflict

Host 8:17

Whatever the difficulty you are facing, Rebecca's story provides a pattern for us to follow. But maybe your situation doesn't involve pregnancy or a difficult prenatal diagnosis, but the loss of a job, issues with your own health or a painful relationship. Maybe like Sarah and Rebecca, you too have waited many years praying and hoping for a child, but unlike their stories, you have not become pregnant. Is God concerned about your painful circumstances? Rebecca's response serves as a good first response to any trouble in our lives. She went to inquire of the Lord.

Host 9:00

And God's response to her prayer is that "two nations are in your womb and two peoples from within you shall be divided. The one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger." So without an ultrasound, God gave Rebecca knowledge that she would have twins, and also gave her information about the relationship of the boys, and that the oldest, who would normally have received a double portion of the inheritance according to the traditions of the day, would instead be a servant of the younger. God's sovereign choice of the younger sons set up future conflict between the brothers.

Host 9:42

Scripture draws us a picture of these two boys. Their names are descriptive of their entrance into the world and also who they would become. Esau's name is from the Hebrew Edom, which means red. We are told that he was red and hairy at birth. This very feature will allow Jacob to steal his blessing in the years to come. Jacob, whose name means he takes by the heel, or he cheats, was born holding on to Esau's heel, and he will take from his brother both his birthright and his blessing as their lives unfold.

Faith Lessons From Genesis And Hebrews

Host 10:22

Let's go again to the hall of faith in Hebrews chapter 11. At verse 20 we are reminded that by faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. In the story of Abraham's faith in the promise that he would have more descendants than could be numbered, that resulted in his search for Isaac's wife, in Isaac's prayer for Rebecca's barrenness over twenty years of waiting, and Rebecca's turning to God for insight and encouragement in her difficult pregnancy, their faithfulness challenges us to greater faith, especially when God's timing does not match our desire, and when our circumstances in the meantime are difficult. God answered the prayers of Isaac and Rebecca, and He cares about your difficulties today. He knows you. He knew what you would become even before you were born. You can trust Him with your deepest anxieties, your most distressing problems, even your worst sins, because He already knows and He loves you deeply.

Host 11:33

Rebecca's story, like those of Eve and Hagar and Sarah, lead us to understand the character of God as one who brings fruitfulness out of barrenness, knows us before we are born, sees our needs and provides for us, hears our prayers, and keeps his promises.

Host 11:53

Thanks be to God.

Breath Prayer And Transition To Baby Chris

Host 11:56

What a great and encouraging story that is! I'm really enjoying going through this book with you.

Host 12:02

Let's take a stretch break now and maybe use the time to say a breath prayer for something you are waiting and hoping for, and then come back and listen to what is happening to Baby Chris and his 32nd week of development.

Announcer 12:17

Presbyterians Protecting Life has the resources you need to equip yourself and your congregation to champion life at every stage. We have answers to your questions, referrals to specialized care like abortion pill reversal and post-abortion recovery, current statistics and information, discussion starters and devotionals to help you think about and share about pregnancy and abortion, adoption, foster care, and even suicide, assisted suicide and end-of-life challenges. Visit PPL.org to learn more.

Host 12:51

This week 32, a devotional in our baby Chris project is entitled Suit Up.

Host 12:59

Hear the word of the Lord. "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. They will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." Psalm 91:11 and 12 Thanks be to God.

Host 13:18

At thirty two weeks, mother's uterus is pushing up against her abdomen and diaphragm, sparking heartburn, causing shortness of breath. Baby's toenails and fingernails have completely developed to their final form, and his bones have almost reached their full pre birth growth. His skin is becoming soft and smooth as the layer of downy hair that has covered baby's skin for the past few months starts to fall off. Both human skin and nails serve to protect our bodies as we move around in a world of thumps and bumps and bacteria. Our skin protects our most valuable assets from the outside world, our heart, brain, bones, blood, nerves, muscles, and packages them neatly so that we are not a blobby mess. Skin is our first line of defense against infectious invasion by germs, chemicals, and other contaminants. Our birthday suit regulates our body temperature and responds to touch and pain stimuli. Skin also operates as a chemical factory producing vitamin D3, essential for a healthy heart, bones, memory, and blood pressure.

Host 14:32

Finger and toenails are made up of a protein called keratin, the same protein that makes up hair. The primary function of nails is to shield fingertips and toes from injury. They increase the sensitivity of our digits by acting as counterforces when the pulp of fingers and toes touch an object. Both toenails and fingernails are examined by doctors to help in diagnosing certain diseases and conditions like dehydration and shock.

From Physical Defense To Spiritual Armor

Host 15:01

Jewish mysticism has something to say about every aspect of life, including fingernails. Nails should be cut in a particular order. Left digits three, one, four, two, five, and then right digits eight, six, nine, seven, ten. According to the Kabbalah, fingernails and toenails should be cut on different days. It is a mitzva, a good deed done from religious duty, to cut one's fingernails on Friday in honor of Shabbat and before Yom Tov, a festival day. However, one may not cut nails on Shabbat and Yom Tov, since that is one of the acts of forbidden labor. The habit of nail biting is discouraged, especially since it may lead to biting fingernails on Shabbat, which is prohibited.

Host 15:58

In Scripture, skin diseases were sometimes inflicted by God as a punishment for sin, and those with skin diseases, lumped into a general category of leprosy, were considered to be unclean and were excluded from the social life of the community and banned from worship.

Host 16:16

The need to protect skin from the sun is acknowledged, and sure footedness is a protection to a warrior who could be taken out in battle by a simple stubbed toe or a stone in his shoe. But while our skin and nails protect us, both can be breached and leave us vulnerable.

Host 16:36

In anticipation of physical attack, we reinforce ourselves with shoes and gloves. Soldiers, police, and firemen wear protective gear and body armor to offset any wounds or burns they might receive in battle.

Host 16:50

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul cautioned believers to don the armor of God provided for spiritual warfare. "Put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God." This is from Ephesians chapter 6 verses 13 through 17.

Host 17:40

God provides developing humans with protection in the womb as he builds skin and nails for our daily protection, allowing us to move about in the world in relative safety. God also provides spiritual armor to protect us as we battle the enemy who has stalked us from the womb, the same enemy who threatened Jesus when he took on flesh and came to dwell among us. The God who anticipates everything joined us in our vulnerability to wounding and attack. He absorbed all our infections, yet was without disease. His skin was wounded so ours could be raised immortal. He exposed himself to violence, but never leaves us unprotected. He is a stumbling stone to many, a rock, a deliverer, and a shield to those who believe.

Final Encouragement And Blessing

Host 18:35

Hear the word of the Lord. "This is what the Lord says to you. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle is not yours, but God's." Second Chronicles chapter twenty, verse fifteen. Thanks be to God.

Announcer 18:58

We hope you enjoyed this week's reflection. We encourage you to share it and join us next time on Pro Life Kitchen Table. May God bless you.