Genesis 24 may be the longest chapter within 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 screening of Abraham has become complete, and we come across the main focus shift through 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 for the chapter if the brand new bride, Rebekah, comes into Sarah’s tent, therefore declaring by by herself given that brand brand new matriarch of Israel. God’s concern in Genesis is ever going toward the fulfillment associated with 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 had been rich adequate to retire and anchor himself in our. Rather, he seemed into the future—to the claims of God—and acted on those claims. He knew that the claims Jesus had fond of him will be carried through his son before the of their fulfillment day. Isaac had not been just the twice-given miraculous present of God’s love that is faithful he had been additionally the heir towards the claims Jesus had provided to Abraham. just How necessary, then, for his son to possess a wife whom thought in Jesus and who does be bound to your claims of Jesus. Abraham, nonetheless, lived in nation in the middle of godless Canaanites whom his ancestors would one dispossess of their land day. If Isaac married one of these, her ties to her household will make dispossession that is such. In addition, she’d bring gods that are false the household. Nor could Abraham permit Isaac to leave the land of vow lest he neglect to get back. Their solution would be to send a servant that is trusted look for a spouse for Isaac. As clearly as Jesus had supplied the ram in thicket earlier in the day for Isaac (Genesis 22:13), therefore additionally Jesus would offer the perfect bride.
The Servant’s Commission
Scripture will not recognize the servant Abraham entrusted using the task of locating a spouse for his son. Almost certainly it absolutely was Eliezer of Damascus who Abraham had when planned on making their heir (Genesis 15:2). Whoever he had been, he had been a pious man whom thought when you look at the energy of prayer. He had been faithful to their master and insistent on seeing their duty until the end.
In faith, Abraham’s servant lay out with ten camels packed with precious jewelry, clothes, as well as other gift suggestions, possibly as a dowry or even illustrate Isaac’s capability to support 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.); other people to your prayer of Elijah at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). Gideon, regarding the one hand, had no explanation to help make any request of Jesus. An angel of the father had told him which he ended up being usually the one that would beat the Midianites. In the place of 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 required fire from paradise to show God’s omnipotence.
Abraham’s servant acknowledged his or her own weakness and desired divine guidance from God. Unlike Gideon, he failed to require a miraculous indication from Jesus. Rather, he rested into the providence of Jesus to utilize ordinary occasions to expose their will for Isaac’s bride. In his prayer he asked for an industrious, hardworking woman who was simply additionally hospitable and who embodied the characteristics associated with godly woman described in Proverbs 31. With this specific prayer, the asian mail order brides 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. She drew water for all the camels after he had finished drinking. It was no little task. Camels can take in twenty to thirty gallons of water—each! Ancient wells had been big, deep holes within the planet with actions resulting in a springtime. Each drawing of water would need significant work regarding the young lady’s component. If Rebekah’s water container ended up being typical for the time, it might just hold around three gallons of water. That designed that Rebekah needed to just simply take between eighty to at least one hundred trips down or more the stairs towards the springtime to water the thirsty camels.
Following the chores had been completed, the servant unearthed that Jesus had led him into the right family as the young girl had been a member of family of Abraham. Immediately, 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 her family, leaving Abraham’s servant behind that she ran off to tell.
Meeting the household
Coming to your home of Abraham’s loved ones, the faithful servant of Abraham retold the activities that had happened, very very carefully including Abraham’s payment to get a bride for their son, his bride-finding quest to Nahor, along with his providential encounter with Rebekah. The servant of Abraham ended up being convinced that if Rebekah’s parents understood just how Jesus had led him for their child, they might do not have option but to allow Rebekah return with him to be bride that is isaac’s. Although they showed great hospitality towards the servant of their remote general and acknowledged that the situation was from Jesus, the household had been reluctant to send Rebekah off instantly. Her mother and bro asked that Rebekah remain with them a couple of days (or months) before she set about such a long journey.
Currently in this chapter we received tips as to the cunning of Rebekah’s sibling, Laban. He revealed Abraham’s servant great hospitality—after the ring was seen by him and bracelets Rebekah had received (Genesis 24:30). He additionally made unique reference to the camels (v. 31), pets regarded as an extra also when it comes to rich. Without doubt Laban had been preparing methods to unburden the of his possessions. Whatever plans he may experienced, current or future (Genesis 29, 30) to get materially from that which rightfully had been promised to Abraham, Jesus utilized him to provide three wives into the offspring associated with patriarch, hence going the claims further with their conclusion.
Rebekah, on the other hand, saw the hand of Jesus in the last occasions associated with the time. Like Abraham decades early in the day, she knew that Jesus had been calling her to go out of her own nation, her household, along with her father’s house to attend a land of which she knew hardly any. “Rebekah” seems similar to the Hebrew word for “blessing” (berakah). The blessing Rebekah received on making her home had been virtually identical to God’s vow directed at Abraham. The blessing included the vow of numerous descendants, control of towns, and dominion over enemies. Although she didn’t understand it, the long term bride of Isaac ended up being getting exactly the same blessing that Jesus provided to Abraham after he had provided her husband to be as being a sacrifice to Jesus (Genesis 23:17).
Rebekah together with Church
You can just imagine the conversations Rebekah had with Abraham’s servant through that month-long visit to Canaan. How wondering she should have been about her husband that is future the land to which she was traveling, concerning the traditions, 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 that have been the customized into the ancient near east illustrate a pattern of grace. Abraham is believed to express Jesus the daddy seeking a bride for their Son, Jesus Christ. The sovereign God initiated our journey into the church by choosing to take a bride for His Son (Ephesians 1:4) in his grace. Jesus talks of these who He spared as those who the Father provided Him (John 17:6–12).Isaac, the son, is thought to express Jesus Christ. Isaac had submitted himself to be sacrificed by their father. Whereas Abraham didn’t have to accomplish the sacrifice, God’s Son paid a price that is great the redemption of His people—not silver or silver, but their own precious bloodstream had been shed for their bride (1 Peter 1:18, 19). Now, the ascended Christ waits for that time that is glorious He and also the bride are united forevermore (Revelation 19:7–9).
In accordance with the church that is early, the servant of Abraham represents the Holy Spirit. Even while the servant never talked on their very own behalf but constantly pointed to your dad and son, therefore additionally the Holy Spirit attracts the church towards the Father through the Son. It is the Holy Spirit whom convicts those in the church of these sin and misery, reveals that deliverance is present through Jesus Christ, then calls them to call home in appreciation to Jesus when it comes to salvation he’s got supplied.
Last but not least, Rebekah represents the church as she trusts just what she’s discovered in regards to the son through the servant, trusting that their term holds true, and therefore her voyage is safe so long as she follows their foremost. As Rebekah left all behind on her behalf groom; so that the church travels through this barren land looking ahead to town whoever designer and builder is Jesus. Even while Rebekah will need to have listened eagerly to your servant tell her about her groom that is soon-to-be and claims Jesus had provided to Abraham’s family members, the church eagerly listens each Lord’s Day towards the work attained by the Groom from the cross of Calvary, realizing 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 towards the daughter of an area Canaanite chieftain. b. He could deliver Isaac away from Canaan to Haran for the bride. c. He could send his servant that is trusted to bro to locate a bride.2. Where do you assume the servant discovered to pray and worship while he did?3. Ended up being the prayer for the servant an assessment of Jesus? May we ask of these things of God? 4. just just How are we to ascertain God’s will for the lives?5. Why did Abraham’s servant feel confident that the girl that is first offered a glass or two to their camels ended up being the spouse that Jesus had selected for Isaac?6. That is Laban and just how did he react to the speech regarding the servant?7. So how exactly does Rebekah’s response remind you of Abraham’s faith? exactly What similarities can you see between your blessing Rebekah gets plus the blessing Jesus provided to Abraham?8. Do you would imagine the comparison for this chapter towards the Church of Jesus Christ is acceptable?9. In exactly what methods does Genesis illustrate Proverbs 3:6?
Rev. Wybren H. Oord may be the co-pastor of this Trinity United Reformed Church in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, therefore the editor of The Outlook.