Now Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died and was buried under the oak outside Bethel. So it was named Allon Bakuth. – Genesis 35:8

Today's Scripture Reading (September 2, 2021): Genesis 35

When I was eight years old, my family made a significant move. We packed up, basically because of my declining health, and made a move across the country. It was a drastic change for our little family. Until that point in my life, we lived within a few hours drive from most of the extended family, on both sides of our family tree. I had the privilege of seeing my grandparents and a number of my aunts and uncles frequently, often on at least a monthly basis. Both sets of my grandparents lived within a few minutes of my house. My paternal grandparents lived only a few houses away at the time that we moved. And even when we didn't see them, we knew that they were close by in case of an emergency.

And then all of that changed. Suddenly, my closest relative lived 3400 km away from my new home. The distance was too far to pop over for Sunday dinner or to call on in case of an emergency. But in those early days, others bravely stepped into the void that the 3400 km move had left. We weren't related, but they became grandma and grandpa and aunt and uncle. And I can't imagine what those days would have been like if they hadn't stepped into the gap.  

The concept of family includes those with whom we share a genetic bond. But it doesn't stop there. Most of us have friends who are like family to us but who are not related to us. These are our adopted grandparents, or aunts and uncles, people who have become precious to us. These are people with whom we share a deep bond of family, even though we are not related.

This is the only mention of Deborah, Rebekah's nurse. And many want to make assumptions based on this single mention. Does this mention of Deborah mean that Rebekah was still alive? Maybe, but we don't really know. Did this mention mean that Deborah had become part of Jacob's household? Again, that is a possibility, but one that only makes sense of Rebekah had died. If Rebekah was dead, and because of Rebekah's special relationship with Jacob, then it is quite possible that Deborah attached herself to Jacob's family upon his return. But we don't really know.

What we do know is that it is very likely that Deborah became attached to Rebekah while she was still a part of her father's family. When Rebekah married Isaac, Deborah came with her. When Rebekah gave birth to Esau and Jacob, Deborah was there. When Rebekah wept as she sent her son Jacob away, it was Deborah that comforted her. Deborah was not related to Jacob genetically, but she was part of the family. So, when she died, Jacob buried her under an oak tree outside of Bethel, and he named the spot where she was buried "Allon Bakuth," which means the "Oak of Weeping," recognizing the tragedy that the family felt when Deborah passed away.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Genesis 36