Genesis 25:22 English Standard Version (ESV) The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.

This is Rebekah, Isaac’s wife. She is carrying twins and the two boys are fighting with one another. Here is an analogy which is befitting of seeking the Lord for understanding. This is how the Lord answered her.

Genesis 25:23 English Standard Version (ESV) And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”

When we read this answer we might see our own inner turmoil, the old man/woman verses the new creation in Christ. The new creation is stronger but the older wrestles within us trying to regain control that it had before we surrendered to Christ.

Romans 7:23 English Standard Version (ESV) but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.

When that happens we should remember the lesson from Rebekah’s life and inquire from the Lord.

Romans 7:24-25a English Standard Version

²⁴ Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Ask the Lord about our turmoil and listen very intently to His answer.

The Hebrew word for turmoil is hâmâh, haw-maw’; a primitive root; to make a loud sound (like English ‘hum’); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor:—clamorous, concourse, cry aloud, be disquieted, loud, mourn, be moved, make a noise, rage, roar, sound, be troubled, make in tumult, tumultuous, be in an uproar.

The reason there are so many uses is to cover all of us in one way or another.

1 Corinthians 8:1b English Standard Version (ESV) This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.

Bloated ego is an insult but the term exists because of pride in knowing something valued as important. We must be aware that the reason we have spiritual knowledge in the first place is to build up others so that they too can share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Have we seen others that constantly talk about what they know and do not take the time to listen? It is off putting. When we disciple others we should be mindful that our first priority is to the Lord and His will in all matters. His examples are to be followed and this is just one.

The term “Jesus answered” appears in the New Testament 73 times in the ESV and 85 times in the KJV. It is clear that Jesus listened. One of the responsibilities of a teacher is to solicit questions from his students. It is their questions that reveal if the lessons are effective.

Bloated egos do not want to hear from others. They love the sound of their own voice. They may very well be knowledgeable but that does not mean they are loving. Loving is the goal. Disciples that feel loved are more likely to absorb the lessons of love.

One of the goals of this loving care is to be a resource for the Lord. Do this so others will recognize us as a resource but beware of becoming “the answer”. When we become “the answer” it will become easier to just answer rather than to say “let’s discuss it”.

The questions they have about our Lord are just the leading edge of something going on inside. It is their thinking that reveals their struggle and their struggle is what needs to be addressed.

Genesis 25:22 English Standard Version (ESV) The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.