Rebekah's Purity

Genesis 24:16 “And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.”

Rebekah was a virgin. She was 'brand new' for her husband. She wasn't second-hand. She had kept herself pure for the special one God had for her.

This is God's intention for all girls. Actually, not just an intention but a command.

But today it has become abnormal.

I read this sentence somewhere and unfortunately it's very true.

Nowadays, if the white dresses mean purity, then most girls wouldn't be able to wear it on their wedding

  Today it's become normal to live together or become pregnant before you're married. Even among so-called Christians. It never used to be like that.

The fact is, it is wrong and it always will be. But it also causes so many un-necessary problems. God wants what is best for us; that's why he gives us rules.

We have to be so careful that we don't let the world influence our thinking on this subject.

Have you ever heard of the ermine?

During the Renaissance, the ermine was a symbol of purity. There is a legend that the ermine, with its beautiful white coat, would die before letting its fur get dirty. Hunters would surround an ermine with a mud ring. The ermine, realizing it could not escape without soiling its fur, would give up and surrender itself to the hunters and their dogs.

Are you as honorable as an ermine?

On your wedding day, will you be pure like your white wedding dress? Will you be 'brand new?'

The Bible says that marriage is honorable, but anything outside of marriage will bring God's judgement.

It also says “Flee fornication (sex outside of marriage)” It doesn't say fight! Remember what Joseph did when he was tempted by Potipher's wife? He ran for his life! He was wise. We are all capable of falling, so we need to stay out of situations where we will be tempted.

Run from temptation!