19 These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac, 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. 21 And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. ~ Genesis 25:19-21
Isaac is a patriarch who gets mentioned, but it’s almost like it’s by default. Like he isn’t mentioned because of something he did, but because of when he was born. He’s the son of Abraham and the father of Jacob. So, when we mention who God is the God of, it’s almost like we only mention Isaac by default because outside of that, he feels very overlooked. But Isaac had some great qualities.
One specific quality he had was that he truly loved Rebekah. He didn’t just brush off her feelings, her desires, her needs. When Rebekah was barren and couldn’t conceive, Isaac stepped up as a husband and prayed for her. He prayed to the LORD his God to open her womb so that she might have children. And because of that, the LORD heard his prayer and Rebekah conceived.
Now, let’s contrast this with Jacob’s response to his wife, whom it says he loved greatly.
1 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!” 2 Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” ~ Genesis 30:1-2
Instead of stepping up as a husband and praying for her to be able to have children, Jacob became angry with her. He scolded her. This is the woman he loves, whom he worked an extra seven years for, and they were as if only a few days to him because of the love he had for her. He didn’t have patience for her emotional breakdown. He couldn’t sympathize with her pain and her agony.
Yes, sometimes we, as women, are a little overemotional, but we were created by God to be more emotional than men. We were created to balance each other out. I personally believe that this is what Peter was explaining in his first letter.
7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered (1 Peter 3:7).
Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the Church. Have patience with her. When something overwhelms her and makes her emotional, don’t be angered by that emotion; instead, take your place as the head of your wife and pray to God on her behalf. Love isn’t just loving when it’s easy. Love is for all times, especially in times that are harder and more stressful.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Be Patient In Love.