Rebekah Genesis 27

Battles in Rebekah's womb heightened her awareness.
Sons will be born torn by conflictling beliefs
Virile hunters and land possessing practices
were replacing the gentle nature loving ways.
Now one blessing only – one child to rule while the others serve.
Barreness was bitter, but bearing divided hostile children seemed useless.
Rebekah takes counsel with the divine.
God confirms her premonition but speaks of an altered course.
She has no choice but follow what she knows in her heart.
Blind Isaac, who inherited his brother’s birth rights,
bestows his final blessing on Jacob in error..
and family conflict ignites again.

Her Heart’s Desire: Rebekah paid attention to what was happening within herself, both when she was carrying her twin sons and throughout her life. This 6th sense is referred to as intuition. She strongly desired to end domination within the family—to restore reverence for the earth and for all life upon it. Rebekah schemes, and does what she has to do. She violates man made laws to follow a higher power and the great scheme of things.

Points to Ponder:

The will of God and obedience to God is very difficult to know with certainty. Man made laws are often presented as if God had ordained them. Persons of sixth stage morality have been known to break the law in order to meet a higher law. Which of Kohlberg's 6 stages of morality are most evident in our national justice system?

How does one know when one is operating with a mature and well formed conscience in situations contrary to the law of the land or that of religion? Rebecca seemed to know. What do you know about other women who followed their conscience in actions contrary to prevailing authorities? Catherine of Genoa was quoted as saying "My me is God". How can one arrive at such certainty about being in unity with God? Many of the mystics felt this kind of knowing. Though it often marginalized them, some had the conviction to speak and write about it.
Today we are being encouraged to pay more attention to what is happening within. All kinds of retreats and practices have been developed to heighten our natural abilities for awareness. Does this indicate that our lives have far too many distractions? Some claim that we are evolving to a higher level of consciousness. How do you see it?

Historically a critical view of religious authorities has been daring and risky. Even today one's physical and/or spiritual life can be threatened if one opposes religious authorities. Is religious freedom a contradiction in terms, an impossible theory or a deeply held value of democratic people? How would you define religious freedom? What are its boundaries? What problems does it create in our own country, our own church, globally, in your own life?

When should we in conscience act/speak out against unjust matters condoned by the church, the state or the administration in our work world?

If you’ve heard the story of Rebekah in church or school what explanation was given for Rebakah’s deceit?
God had told Rebekah that a reversal would occur but did not give any blueprints as to how it would come about. Does God want us to wait upon divine promises or to cooperate in bringing about the promise?

At Jesus' birth the scriptures announced that God's plan is Peace on Earth. Does that mean we just wait for peace or are we to be peacemakers as Jesus was even in opposition to one's national policy?

Code Pink is an organization of mothers and grandmothers for restoring peace in our world. Their call to matriotism vs patriotism might seem subversive as was Rebekah's behavior on behalf of Jacob. Shouldn't women have a stronger role in promoting world peace? What measures can women take to subvert the current destructive course of wars and plundering of earth's natural resources? http://www.womensaynotowar.org/article.php?list=type&type=100