Rebekah - 12 Women of the Bible

Week 1

Hey, OBSers! Print this, post it to your fridge or tuck it in your study book. This is your

SUGGESTED guide for the week to help you keep up in the Bible study!

What We’re Reading This Week...Rebekah (pp. 25-35 in study guide)

Memory Verse

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” John 15:9 (NIV)

Hashtags

#12Women-CCMV, #12Women, #OBS – When you post on social media about the study, use these hashtags! If you want to see what other OBSers are saying, search these tags to connect!

Daily Blog Posts, Bible Study & Discussion

● Monday, Wednesday and Friday – New study email/blog posts, so check your email or head to the Facebook page to join in the conversation!

● Wednesday – Video teaching from StudyGateway on the blog! Keep your fingers crossed!

Thursday, 2/4

● Bible Study LIVE! 8 p.m. ET ~ One hour of LIVE Bible Study on Facebook. Click here to join the fun! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/692185037534989/

Rebekah: Breaking Free of Feminine Stereotypes

Her Character: Hard-working and generous, her faith was so great the she left her home forever to marry a man she had never seen or met. Yet she played favorites with her sons and failed to trust God fully for the promise He had made.

Key Scriptures: Genesis 24; 25:19-34; 26:1-28

Let’s Chat:

Observe — Our theme this week is “Women who are courageous are comfortable in their own skin.” What’s one way you think you can do this?

Bible — This week’s verse is Psalm 139:14 God has His eye on us before we are born. We praise God for the wonderful way in which He fashioned our bodies, our minds, and our spirits. We marvel at the magnitude of His thoughts toward us. Even our worst negative traits can be transformed into positive qualities. Read Psalm 139:13-14.

In your notebook or journal, complete the following:

1.     Write out Psalm 139:13-14, each verse on a different line or space.

2.     Beside each verse, write what you think God wants you to learn or do as a result of reading and writing that verse today.

3.     What could these verses have to do with Twelve Women in the Bible in your heart?

Stretch — “My goal in doing this Bible study is to (list one goal here). I’m going to reach that goal by (doing what?).” #OBS #12Women #12Women-CCMV!

Here’s to a great first week of #OBS #12Women #12Women-CCMV!

Everyone who participates in today’s “Let’s Chat” by sharing about it in the comment section will be entered to win a FREE copy of Twelve Women of the Bible!

Rebekah’s Life and Times

A nose ring! Often taken as a sign of rebellious youth today, a nose ring was an acceptable adornment in ancient times. When Abraham’s servant realized Rebekah was the woman Isaac was to marry, he immediately got out the jewels he had bought along for the occasion. He gave her two gold bracelets and a gold nose ring. Rebekah quickly slipped the jewelry on and ran home with shining eyes to tell her family what had occurred.

A nose ring is mentioned only two other times in Scripture – in Proverbs 11 and Ezekiel 16. In Ezekiel 16, God is describing in allegorical terms how much He loves the city of Jerusalem. He lovingly bathes her, then dresses her in wonderfully rich clothing and soft leather sandals. He then tenderly adorns her with jewelry. “I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck, and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. So you were adorned with gold and silver” (Ezekiel 16:11-13)

The Old Testament mentions jewels and jewelry numerous times. Women and men both wore earrings (Exodus 32:2). They also commonly wore “armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings and necklaces” (Numbers 31:50). The Israelites took most of their jewelry from others while at war; gold and silver and gemstones are often listed among the booty taken during a raid. 2 Samuel 8:11 records the fact that David gained enormous amounts of gold, silver and bronze when he conquered the nations surrounding Israel. He dedicated all of it to the Lord, and his son Solomon used it to build the fabulous temple in Jerusalem. Believe it or not, Solomon had so much gold in his kingdom that he “made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones” (2 Chronicles 1:15).

The New Testament mentions jewelry specifically only once. Peter urges women to pay more attention to their inner beauty than the outward beauty (1 Peter 3:3-4) he wants them – and us – to remember that outer beauty fades away, but inner beauty grows more attractive with each year.

Our Life and Times

Tomorrow morning, when you put your rings on your fingers, also put on a spirit of peace. When you put your earrings on your ears, put them on with a cheerful attitude. When you clasp your necklace around your neck, clasp a sweet spirit in your heart also. The jewelry you war won’t make much difference in your day. But the spirit you wear will.