Genesis Chapter 25 verse 20 (NIV-UK Translation)
And Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram and sister of Laban the Aramean.
Genesis Chapter 25: Verses 21-22 (NIV-UK Translation)
Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ So she went to enquire of the Lord.
Genesis Chapter 25: verse 26 (NIV-UK Translation)
After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.
Issac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, and sixty when the twins were born. We don’t know when Isaac first prayed to God for children. I’m sure he would know of the promise given to Abraham, so perhaps his prayer would be more, “when, Lord?” Sometimes we have to wait to see an answer to prayer, or the fulfilment of a promise. Isaac clearly didn’t give up, and persisted, and did see the promise come to pass. It’s an example to us to not give up in prayer, and to hold on to whatever God has promised us, no matter how long we have to wait.
Rebekah subsequently was anxious about the jostling that was going on inside her. She had no access to ultrasound, after all. So, she too went to ask God. In this instance she got the immediate answer. Its right for us to take anything we are concerned about to God. Sometimes, as in Isaac’s case we will not see an immediate answer. God may tell us to wait. At other times, we may, like Rebekah see an immediate response. This couple certainly had a relationship with God such that they took these things to Him in prayer. God is just as interested in us, there is nothing we can’t speak to Him about.
Dear Lord,
I am grateful that we see in the Bible how Isaac and Rebekah coped with their circumstances – they came to speak to You about it. Help me to do likewise, but also to be patient in the times where You say wait, and especially to trust Your will in the times that You say no. I ask in Jesus’ Name.