Would Choose One With Many Decades Of Faithful Service

And Deborah, Rebekah'due south nurse, died, and she was buried nether an oak below Bethel. So information technology was chosen Allon-bacuth."

Genesis 35:eight

Tree on a hill. Genesis 35 tells the story of Jacob's relocation to Bethel in obedience to God's instructions (35:ane). The high indicate of this story is God'due south appearance to Jacob, through which God reaffirms Jacob'due south new name (State of israel) and the divine promises given to him (35:ten-12).

Poetry eight of Genesis 35 is one of those verses that we might exist inclined to skim quickly and so as to get on to the main part of the story. This poetry reads, "And Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died, and she was buried under an oak below Bethel. So information technology was called Allon-bacuth" (Gen 35:8). Deborah was mentioned one other time in Genesis, in 24:59, when Rebekah, who had non notwithstanding married Isaac, was sent abroad with Abraham'south servant. In that text she is not named, but identified only as Rebekah'south nurse.

We know very lilliputian about Deborah. We do know that the word translated equally "nurse" means "wet-nurse." Therefore, Deborah began to serve Rebekah when she was an infant. Deborah remained with her throughout her life. This means that Deborah cared for Rebekah for many decades, probably for over a century. (We don't know when Rebekah died or at what age. Isaac, her husband, lived to exist i hundred eighty years quondam; see 35:28).

In improver to Deborah's long term of employment equally a caregiver for Rebekah, we tin can infer from the text that she was beloved past the family she served. Later her expiry, she was cached nether an oak tree virtually Bethel. This tree was called "Allon-bacuth," which means "tree of weeping." Deborah was mourned by those who loved her for her true-blue service.

Deborah'southward death did non brand headlines. What she did with her life was mainly behind the scenes. Notwithstanding her contribution mattered to the family through whom God was working to bless the whole world. More importantly, her piece of work mattered to God, since through her work she fulfilled her created purpose.

Deborah reminds me of Dorothy Weaver Parish, who died earlier this twelvemonth. I had the privilege of knowing Dorothy when I worked at the H.E. Butt Family Foundation. Dorothy was the secretary and personal assistant to Howard East. Butt, Jr., a human relationship that began when Howard was working in the H-E-B Grocery Company and continued through his long years equally president of the Foundation. In add-on to her official role with Howard, Dorothy cared deeply for Howard's family, especially his children. Those of us who had the privilege of working with Dorothy considered her a dear friend as well equally an outstanding colleague. When Dorothy finally retired, she had worked for Howard for nigh five decades. We were glad that she would be able to spend more time with her family unit, peculiarly her dear husband, Henry. Yet, we were sorry for our loss of such an astonishing partner and friend. We didn't name a tree "Allon-bacuth" in her honor, merely nosotros certainly could have!

The examples of Deborah in Genesis 35 and of Dorothy in my own experience encourage me to reflect on my work. Am I willing to piece of work in the background, serving well those who will receive public acclaim? Am I offer all that I am to those whom I serve, giving non only my best work only besides my best self? If I were to die today, how would those who take worked with me respond? Am I the kind of colleague who will be missed? Am I like Deborah?

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

Exercise yous know anyone like Deborah? What have you lot experienced in working with this person?

Why don't y'all take some time to reverberate on the questions from the terminal paragraph?

PRAYER:

Gracious God, give thanks you for the example of Deborah. We know then fiddling about her, but what we do know suggests that she was a faithful, caring, loyal worker. She was beloved by those who knew her and were blessed by her service.

Aid me, Lord, to exist like Deborah. May I work in a way that honors yous even as it serves others. May I care well for those yous have entrusted to me. May I be a valuable colleague, employee, and friend. Amen.