Faith Over PerfectionSample

Read: Genesis 25:19–26; Psalm 113

SOAP: Genesis 25:21

Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.  

The narrative of Isaac, the heir to the promise, begins in much the same way Abraham’s did. Like his mother, Isaac’s wife was barren. For twenty years she waited to bear a child for Isaac who would continue carrying on the blessing of God’s promise. They still needed God’s divine intervention to fulfill the promise.

Though the situation was familiar, Isaac’s response differed from his parents’. Instead of attempting to fulfill the promise by his own intervention, Isaac sought the Lord. He prayed for Rebekah, and God answered his prayer. Isaac’s faith in the promise led to God’s answer. While we don’t know for exactly how long Isaac prayed for his wife (as long as twenty years), we do know that God answered. 

When Rebekah became pregnant, she was in great distress and pain because of the struggle between her two children. The Hebrew word describes a violent and unordinary struggle, not the typical movement of twins in utero. Like Isaac, Rebekah sought the Lord. She turned to Him and He answered her. 

God’s supernatural provision is overflowing from this story. God healed a barren womb and comforted Rebekah in her pain. Isaac and Rebekah sought the Lord in prayer instead of trusting their own means to solve the problem. Their faith led them to the One who could meet their need and fulfill His promises. 

While all the characters in the patriarchal narratives use their own means to solve a problem or conflict at one time or another, the focus of the story is not their failure, but their faith. In their great distress, Isaac and Rebekah turned to the Lord. They believed He alone could answer their prayers. God is again the hero because without His divine intervention, the promise would not have been fulfilled. God stepped in to fulfill His own purposes for the world through Isaac and Rebekah. When we persist in faith, believing He is working (even in twenty years of barrenness), we can find hope and peace.

Prayer

Lord God, I believe You answer my prayers. Lord, I don’t know how long it will be until You answer. In my waiting, help me believe You are working. I trust in You even when I can’t see You moving. Give me faith like Isaac and Rebekah, to turn to You even in the midst of my pain. Amen.