“Some time later, God tested Abraham…” – Genesis 22:1
Sometimes, it’s hard to see what God is doing. You pray, you wait, and you wonder when the answer will come. It can feel like nothing is happening. But what if God is already preparing the next step—long before you even realize you need it?
That’s what we glimpse in Genesis 22:20–24. After Abraham’s intense moment of faith on Mount Moriah, the story shifts unexpectedly. We get a simple family update—one that seems random at first glance. But tucked inside this list of names is someone we’ve never met before: Rebekah.
She doesn’t seem important yet, but she’s already part of God’s plan for the future.
Abraham had just passed a major test, but the story of God’s promise wasn’t over. Isaac, the son of promise, still had no wife. No children. No path forward that Abraham could see. But God was already working behind the scenes. Before Abraham could even ask the question, God had already provided the answer.
Rebekah had been born. She was growing up in Nahor’s household. And soon, she would become a key figure in the unfolding of God’s covenant promise.
This is how God works. While we’re focused on what’s right in front of us, He’s already lining up what’s next. He isn’t just responding to our circumstances—He’s preparing the future.
In the ancient world, women were rarely named in genealogies unless they were significant to the story. Rebekah’s name isn’t just a detail—it’s a signal. She will carry the promise forward. Her name in Hebrew means “to secure” or “to tie firmly.” That’s exactly what her role would be: helping secure the next generation of God’s covenant people.
We may not always understand the timing of God, but He is never late. Rebekah’s presence in this passage is proof that God is always working, even when we don’t know what to ask for yet.
And it doesn’t stop there. Nahor has twelve sons—another detail that might seem small, but twelve is a number of divine completeness throughout the Bible. Later, we’ll see the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve disciples of Jesus. God’s patterns remind us that He works through generations. He’s always building something bigger than what we can see in the moment.
Abraham didn’t just trust God for today—his obedience helped lay the foundation for a future he wouldn’t live to see. That challenges us to think about the kind of legacy we’re building. Are we trusting God not only for our needs, but for the unseen future of those who come after us?
Sometimes, the clearest sign of faith is found in how we live during the wait. Abraham didn’t have all the answers, but he kept walking. He kept trusting. And while he was doing that, God was already preparing Isaac’s future.
Maybe you’re in a waiting season right now. Maybe the pieces haven’t fallen into place, and the next step feels unclear. But what if God is already moving on your behalf? What if the answer is already in motion, even if you can’t see it yet?
This story reminds us that God’s silence doesn’t mean inactivity. Just because you can’t see Him working doesn’t mean He’s not. He’s always ahead of us, preparing the way.
Father, thank You for being a God who works behind the scenes. When we can’t see the whole picture, help us to trust that You are already writing the next chapter. Remind us that Your timing is perfect and that You are never late. Give us peace in the waiting and faith to believe that You are preparing exactly what we need. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Want to go deeper? Listen to the full episode for more insight on Genesis 22:20–24. Trusting God With Our Future