A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Rebekah
REBEKAH,
Daughter of Bethuel, and wife of Isaac the patriarch, is one of the most interesting female characters the Bible exhibits for the example and instruction of her sex. Her betrothal and marriage are graphic pictures of the simple customs of her maiden life, and her own heart-devotion to the will of God. No wonder her beauty, modesty, and piety, won the love and confidence of Isaac at once. She was his only wife, and thus highly favoured above those who were obliged to share the heart of a husband with handmaidens and concubines. The plague-spot of polygamy which has polluted even the homes of the chosen of God did not fasten its curse on her bridal tent. So distinguished was this example, that ever since, the young married pair have been admonished to be, as "Isaac and Rebecca, faithful." The first portion of her history, contained in Genesis, chap. xxiv. (any synopsis would mar its beauty,) has won for her unqualified approbation; while commentators and divines are almost as unanimous in censuring her later conduct. But is this censure deserved? Let us examine carefully before we venture to condemn what the Bible does not.
Rebekah must have been either perfectly assured she was working under the righteous inspiration of God, or she was willing to bear the punishment of deceiving her husband rather than allow him to sin by attempting to give the blessing where God had withheld it. That the result was right is certain, because Isaac acknowledged it when, after the deception was made manifest, he said of Jacob—"Yea, and he shall be blessed."
When, to avoid the murderous hatred of Esau, Jacob fled from his home, the Lord met him in a wondrous vision, where the promise made to Abraham and to Isaac was expressly confirmed to this cherished son of Rebekah; thus sealing the truth of her belief and the importance of her perseverance; and not a word of reproof appears on the holy page which records her history. She did not live to see her son's triumphant return, nor is the date of her decease given; but she was buried in the family sepulchre at Macpelah; and as Isaac had no second wife, she was doubtless mourned. It has been urged that because her death was not recorded, therefore she had sinned in regard to her son. No mention is made of the death of Deborah, or Ruth, or Esther—had they sinned?
There are no perfect examples among mankind; but in the comparison of Isaac and Rebekah, the wife is, morally, superior to her husband; and appears to have been specially entrusted by God with the agency of changing the succession of her sons, and thus building up the house of Israel. Sec Genesis, chapters xxvi. xxvii. xxviii.