Virtuous Woman.....in Training?

I did this study a while back that I've been wanting to share with you, but kept forgetting about it. I'm finally getting around to posting it. I actually got to see part of this lesson in action recently, so I guess it means even more to me now. 

We've all probably been taught about the Proverbs 31 woman, the Virtuous Woman. But what was she like before she married? What are some lessons we need to learn as single young ladies, waiting for the young man God has planned for us? And who can we learn for them from? 

I realized while reading Genesis 24 one day, that Rebekah was a virtuous woman in training. There are some traits we see here in Rebekah that we should strive to have in our own lives as Christian young ladies preparing to be a helpmeet. 

Genesis 24:11-15  And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water. 

 And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. 

 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: 

 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master. 

  And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. 

We see here in verses 11-15 a reminder that God knows everything. 

Proverbs 16:1  The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. 

This verse in Proverbs tells us that God prepares certain things in our heart to carry out His will. In this passage in Genesis, we see the servant asking for specific signs to know for sure who was the right young lady for his master's son. Then, we see later how Rebekah fits the signs requested word for word. Sometimes we feel God's prompting to do certain things. Sometimes those things may seem embarrassing, awkward, or difficult to do, so we try to ignore it from laziness and or fear. But God always has a reason and a plan for these requests. 

So let's look at some of these characteristics of Rebekah that are shown. 

Genesis 24:15-26  And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. 

  And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. 

  And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher. 

  And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. 

 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. 

  And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels. 

  And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not. 

 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold; 

 And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in? 

  And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor. 

 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in. 

 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD. 

     First, we see that Rebekah was a hard worker. Not only from her willingness to serve this stranger, but also for the implication that she was the first of the women to the well. She was not only thorough in her work, but also prompt. She was getting her work done early, which showed she was not lazy. 

Secondly, her surrendered heart. I believe that God not only prompted her to do all of these things, but put the words in her mouth to say (referring back to Proverbs 16:1). This displays a heart yielded to God, one that acknowledges Him to direct her paths (Proverbs 3:6). 

Next is Rebekah's hospitality. I can see giving the man water to more than likely be dutiful enough to show a stranger hospitality. But she went above and beyond what was expected of her. 

Following her hospitality, I see her patience. Verse 16 describes her as very fair, or beautiful, to look upon. It is very possible that she had had previous admirers considering her beauty, kindness, and work ethic. But she was waiting for the right one. Some young ladies have been given the opportunity to begin a relationship with a young man, but refused because they were waiting. Don't get into a relationship just because you're lonely. It may seem like an easy, quick solution, but it's not worth it in the long run. Wait for the right one. 

Genesis 24:55-58  And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go. 

 And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master. 

 And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth. 

  And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go. 

Lastly, I see Rebekah's trust. In verse 58, we see Rebekah giving her word to marry a man she's never seen or met. How many of us would trust God enough to make that decision? Do you trust God in certain areas, but not all? I dare say every one of us has an area that we like to keep control over. How much do you trust your God, Father, and Creator? 

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 

I hope that this little study is as great a help to you as it was for me. It shows me that I still have so much to work on.