Deeper Reflection
RUNNING THROUGH THE BOOK OF GENESIS ARE FIVE theological elements, which are often interrelated in diverse ways. Reality: Human experiences that we can identify with. Adversity: The trials of faith of God’s people. Sovereignty: God is always in sovereign control over everything. Destiny: Under His sovereignty, God is leading His people, in reality and adversity, towards a destiny – fulfilling His covenant purposes. Mystery: Divine ways that are inexplicable and unexplained – like how God answers prayer in verses 21 to 23.Isaac and Rebekah had a problem: Rebekah’s barrenness (v.21). So, Isaac prayed. God answered his prayer. Rebekah was pregnant. Problem solved. But the solution came with a problem: “the children struggled together within her” (v.22a). Rebekah was perplexed: “If it is thus [God’s answer to prayer], why is this happening to me?” (v.22b, ESV). How did God answer Isaac’s prayer? Solving one problem by creating another problem. How do you like God to answer your prayers like that? Isn’t it quite scary to pray then?We must know God here. How God answers our prayers is His prerogative. Yet, so often in our prayer we tell God very specifically what to do. And God answers prayers according to His purposes. When God answered Isaac’s prayer to solve a problem and in so doing created another problem, this problem was a problem with a divine agenda: Two nations and peoples were in Rebekah’s womb that would be in conflict with each other (v.23). What kind of divine agenda is that? It is God’s prerogative. And God’s ways are always perfect and right (Deut 32:4).