Nougat 3

Hi dears,

Occasionally, especially in this virtual, pandemic-struck world; we suffer from burn out. Well some of us anyway. And in those moments it is easy to get discouraged or to lose focus. Before giving up, please consider today’s Holy Nougat

“Soon after this, Rebekah’s old nurse, Deborah, died. She was buried beneath the oak tree in the valley below Bethel. Ever since, the tree has been called Allon-bacuth (which means “oak of weeping”).”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭35:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Who was this Deborah? In a world where women are often unnamed, it is worthwhile to pay attention to her impact on the larger context. We know that she was:

Not the wife of Lappidoth,

Probably not a prophetess, and

Definitely not Israel’s judge.

But she was Rebekah‘s nurse and possibly shared caregiving responsibilities for the twin boys. The name Deborah means bee ( ) in Hebrew and might be a reference to her personality or her work. While Bible scholars are not certain about her role in Jacob’s life-story; she represented a vital part of Jacob‘a life.

What is even more mysterious, is the fact that Rebekah’s death is not mentioned. Is it that the death announcement for Deborah had to suffice for the two women? Did Rebekah die while Jacob was in exile or was she overlooked because her ‘purpose’ was done? It is not wholly clear. Though Jacob’s pain at her death may suggest that she represented the end of an era. His idyllic childhood was over; it was time for him to walk into who Jacob was called to be.

More than that, is a very simple thought – Deborah had only a cameo appearance in the annals of Jacob’s life. But when she turned up; we find that her life added value his. So, when the work we do seems insignificant; let us remember there is someone who is impacted by us. For whom what we do matters. Let’s make it count. As busy as life gets, we ought to work on being the producer of sweetness in the lives of others.

And for the impact we make on one; God can multiply to be transformative for many. Be blessed. Share the blessings.

In Christ’s love and grace . . .