Proper 9 / Pentecost 7 / OT 14
Devotional
Water From the Well
Lectionary Devotional For Cycle A
Object:
... let the young woman who comes out to draw, to whom I shall say, "Please give me a little water from your jar to drink...."
-- Genesis 24:43
There is an almost fairy-tale quality to this mysterious story of the choosing of a woman to be Isaac's wife. It began with Abraham's concern to not let this special family line simply be absorbed into the stream of humanity. He wanted Isaac to have a wife from his own people. In a demonstration that God was at work behind the scenes to guide the decisions of the faithful, the servant set up a test by a well where the community came to draw their water. He discovered that the very woman who met his test was also the daughter of Abraham's relative. Yet, even though it was made clear that God was operating behind the scenes, it was also made clear that humans were free to make their own choices. Not only did Rebecca's family make their decision as to whether to respond to the servant's choice of Rebecca, but she was given the freedom to choose as well.
Beginning with Sarah and continuing on through the family line, the women of these early patriarchs had a strong role to play, and God respected the freedom of their choices. Not only did Rebecca make the choice to leave her family, but she also took the initiative when she saw Isaac from a distance. The unique combination of God's actions and human freedom to make choices was displayed here. The journey of faith was a complex one played out in the lives of strong-willed people and an infinitely patient God. We continue to experience that interplay with our freedom and the sovereignty of God.
-- Genesis 24:43
There is an almost fairy-tale quality to this mysterious story of the choosing of a woman to be Isaac's wife. It began with Abraham's concern to not let this special family line simply be absorbed into the stream of humanity. He wanted Isaac to have a wife from his own people. In a demonstration that God was at work behind the scenes to guide the decisions of the faithful, the servant set up a test by a well where the community came to draw their water. He discovered that the very woman who met his test was also the daughter of Abraham's relative. Yet, even though it was made clear that God was operating behind the scenes, it was also made clear that humans were free to make their own choices. Not only did Rebecca's family make their decision as to whether to respond to the servant's choice of Rebecca, but she was given the freedom to choose as well.
Beginning with Sarah and continuing on through the family line, the women of these early patriarchs had a strong role to play, and God respected the freedom of their choices. Not only did Rebecca make the choice to leave her family, but she also took the initiative when she saw Isaac from a distance. The unique combination of God's actions and human freedom to make choices was displayed here. The journey of faith was a complex one played out in the lives of strong-willed people and an infinitely patient God. We continue to experience that interplay with our freedom and the sovereignty of God.
