Genesis 24 could be the chapter that is longest when you look at 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 evaluation of Abraham is currently complete, and we come across the main focus change through the patriarch to their son, Isaac. Redemptive history is starting to go toward the patriarch that is second. This move is created complete at the conclusion regarding the chapter once the brand new bride, Rebekah, comes into Sarah’s tent, therefore declaring by by herself once the brand brand new matriarch of Israel. God’s concern in Genesis is ever going toward the satisfaction associated with vow to its conclusion.
After Sarah’s death, Abraham nevertheless had yet another task of faith which is why he felt accountable. At a hundred forty yrs old, Abraham ended up being rich enough to retire and anchor himself in today’s. Rather, he seemed into the future—to the claims of God—and acted on those promises. He knew that the claims Jesus had fond of him is carried through their son before the day of these satisfaction. Isaac wasn’t only the twice-given miraculous present of God’s faithful love, he had been additionally the heir to your claims Jesus had fond of Abraham. How necessary, then, for their son to www.ukrainian-wife.net/ own a spouse whom thought in Jesus and that would be bound towards the claims of Jesus. Abraham, nevertheless, lived in country 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 family members would make such dispossession hard. In addition, she’d bring false gods into your family. Nor could Abraham allow Isaac to go out of the land of vow lest he neglect to return. Their solution would be to send a dependable servant to locate a spouse for Isaac. Since clearly as Jesus had supplied the ram in thicket early in the day for Isaac (Genesis 22:13), so additionally Jesus would offer the bride that is perfect.
The Servant’s Commission
Scripture doesn’t recognize the servant Abraham entrusted with all the task of finding 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 pious guy whom thought into the energy of prayer. He was faithful to their insistent and master on seeing their duty until the end.
In faith, Abraham’s servant lay out with ten camels laden up with precious precious jewelry, clothes, as well as other gift suggestions, possibly as a dowry or even to illustrate Isaac’s capability to help a spouse. After traveling about four hundred fifty miles into the town of Nahor, the servant bowed before God in prayer, asking for a collection of stipulations in determining success. Some have actually contrasted this prayer compared to that of Gideon (Judges 6ff.); others towards the prayer of Elijah at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). Gideon, in the one hand, had no good explanation to produce any demand of Jesus. An angel of the father had told him which he had been the main one that would beat 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 required fire from paradise to show God’s omnipotence.
Abraham’s servant acknowledged their own weakness and desired divine guidance from Jesus. Unlike Gideon, he would not require a sign that is miraculous Jesus. Alternatively, he rested within the providence of Jesus to make use of events that are ordinary expose their might for Isaac’s bride. Inside the prayer he asked for an industrious, hardworking woman who had been also hospitable and whom embodied the faculties regarding the godly woman described in Proverbs 31. The servant placed himself in complete reliance on God, for only the sovereign God could steer events in such detailed fashion with this prayer.
God responded the servant’s prayer before he was also completed presenting it before Jesus. A new, gorgeous woman offered him water. She drew water for all the camels after he had finished drinking. It was no chore that is small. Camels can take in twenty to thirty gallons of water—each! Ancient wells had been big, deep holes within the planet with actions ultimately causing a spring. Each drawing of water would require significant effort from the lady’s part that is young. If Rebekah’s water container had been typical for the it would only hold about three gallons of water day. That implied that Rebekah had to simply simply simply take between eighty to a single hundred trips down or over the stairs into the springtime to water the camels that are thirsty.
Following the chores had been finished, the servant unearthed that God had led him into the right household as the young woman had been a family member of Abraham. Straight away, the servant bowed down and worshipped God. The servant’s mention of Abraham’s title additionally caused a happy reaction from Rebekah. She had been therefore filled up with excitement her family, leaving Abraham’s servant behind that she ran off to tell.
Meeting your family
Reaching your home of Abraham’s loved ones, the servant that is faithful of retold the occasions which had happened, very carefully including Abraham’s payment to locate a bride for their son, his bride-finding quest to Nahor, and their providential encounter with Rebekah. The servant of Abraham had been convinced that if Rebekah’s parents understood just just just how Jesus had led him with their daughter, they might haven’t any option but to let Rebekah return with him to be bride that is isaac’s. 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 mother and sibling asked that Rebekah remain with them a couple of days (or months) before she attempt 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 the ring was seen by him and bracelets Rebekah had received (Genesis 24:30). He additionally made special reference to the camels (v. 31), pets regarded as being a luxury also for the rich. Without doubt Laban was already preparing methods to unburden the of their belongings. Whatever plans he might have experienced, current or future (Genesis 29, 30) to achieve materially from that which rightfully had been guaranteed to Abraham, Jesus utilized him to produce three spouses into the offspring associated with patriarch, therefore going the claims further for their conclusion.
Rebekah, having said that, saw the hand of Jesus in the last occasions for the day. Like Abraham decades early in the day, she knew that Jesus was calling her to go out of her country that is own family members, and her father’s house to visit a land of which she knew almost no. “Rebekah” seems similar to 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, control of towns, and dominion over enemies. Although she failed to understand it, the long run bride of Isaac ended up being getting the exact same blessing that Jesus offered to Abraham after he had provided her husband to be being a sacrifice to Jesus (Genesis 23:17).
Rebekah additionally the Church
One could just imagine the conversations Rebekah had with Abraham’s servant through that trip that is month-long Canaan. just exactly How inquisitive she will need to have been about her husband to be, about the land to which she ended up being traveling, in regards to the traditions, and a whole lot. Early church dads have actually portrayed the look for Isaac’s bride as analogous because of the bride of Christ.
The arranged marriages that have been the customized into the ancient near east illustrate a pattern of elegance. Abraham is thought to express Jesus the dad seeking a bride for their Son, Jesus Christ. In their elegance, the sovereign Jesus initiated our journey to the church by deciding to have a bride for their Son (Ephesians 1:4). Jesus talks of these who He stored as those who the Father provided 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 fantastic cost for the redemption of His people—not silver or silver, but his or her own valuable bloodstream ended up being shed for His bride (1 Peter 1:18, 19). Now, the ascended Christ waits for that glorious time whenever He while the bride are united forevermore (Revelation 19:7–9).
Based on the church that is early, the servant of Abraham represents the Holy Spirit. Even while the servant never ever 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’s the Holy Spirit who convicts those inside the church of the misery and sin, reveals that deliverance can be acquired through Jesus Christ, after which calls them to call home in appreciation to Jesus when it comes to salvation He has got supplied.
Last but not least, Rebekah represents the church as she trusts just what she’s got discovered concerning the son through the servant, trusting that their term holds true, and that her voyage is safe provided that she follows their leading. As Rebekah left all behind on her behalf 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 groom that is soon-to-be and claims Jesus had fond of Abraham’s household, the church eagerly listens each Lord’s Day towards the work achieved by the Groom from the cross of Calvary, understanding that through Him come the claims of reconciliation, forgiveness, and life eternal.
Points to Ponder and Discuss
1. Think about the after choices available to Abraham to find a bride for their son. a. He could marry Isaac to your child of a nearby chieftain that is canaanite. 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 the servant is supposed by you discovered to pray and worship as he did?3. Ended up being the prayer associated with the servant a screening of Jesus? May we ask of these things of Jesus? 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 had been the wife that Jesus had selected for Isaac?6. That is Laban and just how did he react to the message regarding the servant?7. So how exactly does Rebekah’s response remind you of Abraham’s faith? Just just just What similarities would you see involving the blessing Rebekah gets plus the blessing God offered to Abraham?8. Do the comparison is thought by you of the chapter into the Church of Jesus Christ is acceptable?9. With what means does Genesis illustrate Proverbs 3:6?
Rev. Wybren H. Oord may be the co-pastor associated with the Trinity United Reformed Church in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, as well as the editor of The Outlook.