Messianic Jewish Counseling Devotional for Couples on Parashat Chayei Sarah
Parashat Chayei Sarah: “The Life of Sarah” (Bereshit/Genesis 23:1–25:18)
Theme: Covenant Love Rooted in Faithfulness; Kindness that Builds Trust
Scripture Focus:
“So the servant said, ‘Blessed be Ad-nai…who has not forsaken His lovingkindness and His truth toward my master.”(Bereshit/Genesis 24:27)
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Devotional Thought:
In Chayei Sarah, the Torah shifts from the end of Sarah’s earthly life to the birth of a new chapter. Isaac and Rebekah. Though Sarah’s passing marks a moment of profound grief, the portion immediately reveals how Ad-nai continues His covenant through provision, guidance, and tender faithfulness. Abraham entrusts the search for Isaac’s wife entirely to Ad-nai. Rebekah responds with extraordinary kindness. Isaac receives comfort after a deep loss. Each step is a testimony that covenant love grows not only through grand moments of faith, as we saw in Vayera, but also through consistent acts of trust, generosity, and emotional presence. For couples, Chayei Sarah teaches that G-d’s promises are not only tested (as in Vayera), but also sustained through daily faithfulness, compassion, and the willingness to comfort one another during life's transitions.
Reflection for Couples
1. Where do we need to practice “Rebekah-kindness”: small, generous acts that refresh our relationship?
Kindness restores emotional connection and opens the heart to healing.
2. How can we, like Isaac and Rebekah, become a source of comfort to each other after loss, stress, or disappointment?
Comfort is a covenantal act: it strengthens the bond G-d has formed.
3. In what areas do we need to entrust our relationship more fully to Ad-nai’s guidance, as Abraham entrusted the journey to find Isaac’s wife?
Trust invites G-d’s lovingkindness into the heart of the marriage.
Counseling Insight:
Just as the servant’s prayer was answered through a simple act of kindness, marriages are strengthened when partners practice consistent, observable care in daily interactions. Emotional safety grows when couples choose gentleness over reactivity, generosity over self-protection, and presence over withdrawal. When Ad-nai’s chesed v’emet, His lovingkindness and truth, is welcomed into the “tent” of your home, it creates a space where each partner can heal, grow, and experience deeper intimacy.
Prayer:
“Ad-nai, let Your lovingkindness and truth guide our covenant. Teach us to show kindness generously, to comfort one another faithfully, and to walk together in trust. May our home reflect the gentleness and strength of Your promises as we grow in love day by day.”
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Series Note:
These devotionals are part of “Walking Together in Covenant,” a Messianic Jewish Counseling Devotionals for Couples Series from Machaseh Shel Tikvah (Shelter of Hope) for Counseling, a member of the Village of Hope & Justice Ministry Family. Each week follows the Torah portions of Bereshit (Genesis) and the books that follow in the Tanakh and Brit Chadashah, designed for couples’ reflection, journaling, and prayer.
