Blessed to be a Blessing: Rebekah



When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the ground before the Lord. And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments. Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank, and they spent the night there. When they rose in the morning, he said, “Send me back to my master.” Her brother and her mother said, “Let the girl remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.” But he said to them, “Do not delay me, since the Lord has made my journey successful; let me go that I may go to my master.” They said, “We will call the girl, and ask her.” And they called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will.” So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse along with Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,
“May you, our sister, become
    thousands of myriads;
may your offspring gain possession
    of the gates of their foes.” ~ Genesis 24:52-60


One of the many ways blessings show up is through the physical and verbal blessing bestowed on one person by another. We think of this in terms of the ways we might bless a home or bless confirmation students or bless those who are headed out for a mission trip.

Rebekah receives a blessing from her brothers as she leave to become Isaac's wife: Isaac, who is Abraham's son.

So Abraham's blessing now brings Rebekah into its fold. 

Have you ever blessed someone? Perhaps laid a hand on their heads and prayed over them? 

Or blessed an item that would be used for the blessing of others? I've seen collected food blessed that would serve the homeless or homemade quilts blessed that would keep a child warm. Or backpacks that would go to children in need for a new school year.

How do we bless? Who do we bless?

What are the ways in which you are being called to bless another?


Lord, help me to take the many blessings I have from you and share them with others for the ongoing blessing of your entire creation. Amen
Thoughts for engagement:

How can touch be used as a blessing?

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