When Isaac Buried His Bride?
Genesis 35:28-29 (NKJV)
Death of Isaac
28 Now the days of Isaac were one hundred and eighty years. 29 So Isaac breathed his last and died, and was [h]gathered to his people, being old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
Rebekah’s Death
The Bible does not provide any details about Rebekah’s death or her age at the time of her passing. Her death is implied by her absence in later chapters, especially in the narrative of Isaac’s death and burial, and Jacob’s return to Canaan.
Rebekah is not mentioned during Isaac’s burial, which might indicate that she had already passed away.
Burial:
Rebekah is believed to have been buried in the Cave of Machpelah (Genesis 49:31), alongside Isaac, Abraham, and Sarah. However, the event of her burial is not narrated in the Bible.
The Midrash Narrative
The Midrash suggests that Rebekah died from grief over the actions of her son Esau. Esau’s marriages to Canaanite women brought great distress to both Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 26:34-35). The Midrash emphasizes her sorrow over the spiritual waywardness of Esau as a contributing factor to her demise.
Lack of Public Mourning:
According to the Midrash, Rebekah’s death was not publicly mourned, and her burial is not explicitly described in the Torah because of the shame associated with Esau’s behavior. The rabbis explain that her funeral was conducted quietly to avoid public dishonor, as people might criticize her for raising a son like Esau.
Burial:
The Midrash concurs with the traditional belief that Rebekah was buried in the Cave of Machpelah, alongside her husband Isaac, and near Abraham and Sarah. However, it notes that the Torah does not directly recount this event, leaving it to tradition and rabbinic interpretation to fill in the gaps.
Rebekah’s Legacy:
Despite the lack of detail about her death, the Midrash praises Rebekah for her righteousness and her pivotal role in ensuring Jacob received the blessings of Abraham. She is seen as a matriarch who endured significant trials for the sake of the covenant.
Rebekah’s death and the challenges she faced as a mother and matriarch
The covenant was everything to Rebecca, Isaac is a type of Christ and Rebecca is a type of church. There are two sides to this message. I’m cooking something good tonight. I will flip this steak just at the right time.
Isaac was the Love of Rebecca’s life.
According to the Bible, Isaac had only one wife, Rebekah. Their relationship is detailed in the book of Genesis, and their marriage is presented as a significant and divinely orchestrated event:
How Isaac and Rebekah Met
Abraham sent his servant to his homeland to find a wife for Isaac, ensuring she would not be from the Canaanites. This is described in Genesis 24. The servant prayed for God’s guidance, and Rebekah’s actions (offering water for him and his camels) confirmed she was the chosen one.
The servant here is Eliezer although unnamed in the text The text focuses on the servant’s mission and faithfulness to God and Abraham rather than his identity. By leaving the servant unnamed in this story, the emphasis is placed on God’s providence and the unfolding of His plan.
Eliezer is a type of the Holy Spirit.
John 16:13-14 (NKJV)
13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
Isaac’s Love for Rebekah
After meeting Rebekah, Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and she became his wife. The Bible emphasizes Isaac’s love for Rebekah:
Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. (Genesis 24:67, NKJV)
No Mention of Other Wives
Unlike other patriarchs, such as Abraham (who had Sarah, Hagar, and later Keturah) and Jacob (who had Leah, Rachel, and their maidservants), Isaac is depicted as monogamous throughout his life. The Bible does not record him having any concubines or additional wives.
Isaac’s singular devotion to Rebekah sets him apart from other patriarchs, and their story highlights themes of faith, love, and God’s providence.
I’m flipping this steak right now
Rebecca loved her Isaac; I feel sorry if you don’t love Jesus like this.
The Bible provides glimpses into Rebekah’s love and devotion to Isaac, though it does not describe their relationship in the same detailed manner as some other biblical couples. However, from the narrative in Genesis, we can infer the depth of Rebekah’s love through her actions and her role as Isaac’s wife:
Her Willingness to Leave Her Family for Isaac
When Abraham’s servant approached Rebekah and her family, he asked for her to return with him to marry Isaac. Rebekah’s willingness to leave her family and homeland shows her faith and trust in God’s plan, as well as her openness to the love and life awaiting her with Isaac:
Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.” (Genesis 24:58)
This bold step suggests not only faith but also her readiness to embrace a lifelong commitment to Isaac, someone she had not yet met.
Her Comforting Role in Isaac’s Life
Isaac was mourning the loss of his mother, Sarah, when Rebekah became his wife. Her arrival and their marriage brought comfort and healing to his heart:
Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. (Genesis 24:67)
The fact that her presence brought comfort underscores the emotional connection and bond that developed between them. It implies that Rebekah’s care and companionship were deeply meaningful to Isaac.
Her Commitment to Protecting Isaac’s Lineage
Rebekah demonstrated her love for Isaac and her dedication to God’s promises by intervening to ensure that Jacob, the chosen son, received Isaac’s blessing. While this act was controversial and involved deception, it reflects her unwavering belief in God’s plan for their family and her commitment to Isaac’s legacy:
Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. (Genesis 27:5)
Her actions, though divisive, can be seen as motivated by her desire to uphold God’s covenant and preserve Isaac’s line as a blessing to the nations.
Her Partnership with Isaac
Throughout their story, Isaac and Rebekah are portrayed as partners. Together, they navigate challenges, such as her barrenness and the eventual birth of their twin sons, Esau and Jacob. When Isaac prays for her to conceive, and God answers, it demonstrates the unity in their relationship:
Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. (Genesis 25:21)
This moment shows that Isaac and Rebekah shared not only a marital bond but also a spiritual one, relying on God together.
Rebekah’s love for Isaac is reflected in her courage, her comforting presence, and her actions to protect his legacy and God’s promises.
Though the Bible doesn’t detail their love in romantic terms, her life demonstrates a deep devotion to her husband and the covenant they were a part of.