Genesis 24 could be the chapter that is longest within the guide of Genesis. With it, equivalent story is told twice—once because it occurs as soon as since it is reported by Abraham’s servant. God’s screening 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 by the end associated with the chapter once the bride that is new Rebekah, goes into Sarah’s tent, therefore declaring herself given that brand new matriarch of Israel. God’s concern in Genesis is ever going toward the satisfaction associated with 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 yrs . old, Abraham ended up being rich adequate to retire and anchor himself in our. Rather, he seemed towards the future—to the promises of God—and acted on those claims. He knew that the claims Jesus had provided to him could be carried through their son before the time of these satisfaction. Isaac had not been just the twice-given miraculous present of God’s faithful love, he had been additionally the heir to your claims Jesus had directed at Abraham. Just How necessary, then, for his son to own a spouse whom thought in Jesus and who does be bound to your claims of God. Abraham, nevertheless, lived in nation surrounded by godless Canaanites whom his ancestors would one time dispossess of these land. If Isaac married one of them, her ties to her household 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 are not able to get back. His solution would be to send a servant that is trusted locate a spouse for Isaac. Since clearly as Jesus had supplied the ram in thicket early in the day for Isaac (Genesis 22:13), therefore additionally Jesus would offer the perfect bride.
The Servant’s Commission
Scripture will not determine the servant Abraham entrusted utilizing the task of getting a spouse for their son. Almost certainly it absolutely was Eliezer of Damascus whom Abraham had when prepared on making their heir (Genesis 15:2). Whoever he had been, he was a pious guy whom thought when you look at the energy of prayer. He had been faithful to their master and insistent on seeing their responsibility until the end.
In faith, Abraham’s servant lay out with ten camels full of precious jewelry, garments, along with other gift ideas, maybe as a dowry or even to illustrate Isaac’s power to help a spouse. After traveling about four hundred fifty kilometers to your 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.); other people into the prayer of Elijah at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). Gideon, regarding the one hand, had no good explanation in order to make any demand of Jesus. An angel of he has been told by the which he had been usually the one who does beat the Midianites. As opposed to acting in faith, Gideon reacted improperly by proposing a number of tests for God 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 divine guidance from God. Unlike Gideon, he would not ask for a sign that is miraculous Jesus. Alternatively, he rested within the providence of God to make use of ordinary activities to expose His might for Isaac’s bride. Inside the prayer he asked for the industrious, hardworking woman who was simply additionally hospitable and whom embodied the characteristics associated with the godly woman described in Proverbs 31. With this particular prayer, the servant put himself in complete reliance on Jesus, just for the sovereign God could guide events this kind of detailed fashion.
God responded the servant’s prayer before he had been https://rose-brides.com/asian-brides also completed presenting it before Jesus. A young, 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 had been big, deep holes within the earth 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 had been typical when it comes to time, it could just hold around three gallons of water. That implied that Rebekah needed to simply simply take between eighty to a single hundred trips down or more the stairs towards the springtime to water the thirsty camels.
Following the chores had been finished, the servant found that Jesus had led him to your family that is right the young woman had been a family member of Abraham. Instantly, the servant bowed down and worshipped Jesus. The servant’s mention of Abraham’s name additionally caused a glad 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 the household
Reaching the house of Abraham’s loved ones, the servant that is faithful of retold the occasions that had happened, 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 believing that if Rebekah’s parents understood exactly just how God had led him for their child, they might don’t have any option but to allow Rebekah return with him to be bride that is isaac’s. While they revealed great hospitality to your servant of these remote general and acknowledged that the problem ended up being from Jesus, the household ended up being reluctant to send Rebekah off instantly. Her mom 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 hints 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 gotten (Genesis 24:30). He additionally made unique reference to the camels (v. 31), animals regarded as being an extravagance also for the rich. Without doubt Laban had been preparing how to unburden the of their belongings. Whatever plans he might have experienced, present or future (Genesis 29, 30) to get materially from that which rightfully ended up being guaranteed to Abraham, Jesus utilized him to produce three spouses to your offspring associated with patriarch, therefore going the claims further with their completion.
Rebekah, having said that, saw the hand of Jesus in the last occasions of this time. Like Abraham decades earlier in the day, she knew that Jesus had been calling her to go out of her own nation, her family members, along with her father’s house to attend a land of which she knew hardly any. “Rebekah” appears just like the Hebrew word 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 promise of several descendants, control of urban centers, and dominion over enemies. Although she didn’t understand it, the near future bride of Isaac was getting the exact 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 additionally the Church
You can just imagine the conversations Rebekah had with Abraham’s servant throughout that month-long day at Canaan. Exactly just just How interested she should have been about her husband that is future 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 seek out Isaac’s bride as analogous utilizing the bride of Christ.
The arranged marriages which were the customized when you look at the ancient near east illustrate a pattern of elegance. Abraham is believed to express Jesus the paternalfather seeking a bride for His Son, Jesus Christ. In the 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 the who He spared 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 failed to 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 blood had been shed for His bride (1 Peter 1:18, 19). Now, the ascended Christ waits for the glorious time whenever He and also the bride are united forevermore (Revelation 19:7–9).
In line with the church that is early, 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 daddy and son, therefore additionally the Holy Spirit attracts the church towards the Father through the Son. This is the Holy Spirit whom convicts those inside the church of the sin and misery, reveals that deliverance is present through Jesus Christ, after which calls them to reside in appreciation to Jesus when it comes to salvation he’s supplied.
Last but not least, Rebekah represents the church as she trusts exactly what she’s got discovered regarding the son through the servant, trusting that their term holds true, and tthe womanefore her voyage is safe provided that she follows their foremost. As Rebekah left all behind on her groom; therefore 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 inform her about her soon-to-be groom therefore the claims God had provided to Abraham’s household, the church eagerly listens each Lord’s Day into the work achieved by the Groom regarding 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 after choices available to Abraham to find a bride for their son. a. He could marry Isaac towards the child of an area chieftain that is canaanite. b. He could deliver Isaac away from Canaan to Haran for the bride. c. He could send his trusted servant to their bro to locate a bride.2. Where do the servant is supposed by you discovered to pray and worship while he did?3. Ended up being the prayer of this servant an assessment of Jesus? May we ask of these things of Jesus? 4. How are we to ascertain God’s will for the lives?5. Why did Abraham’s servant feel certain that the girl that is first offered a glass or two to their camels had been the spouse that Jesus had selected for Isaac?6. That is Laban and exactly how did he react to the message for the servant?7. So how exactly does Rebekah’s response remind you of Abraham’s faith? Exactly exactly exactly What similarities would you see between your blessing Rebekah gets plus the blessing Jesus provided to Abraham?8. Do the comparison is thought by you for this 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 Trinity United Reformed Church in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, plus the editor of The Outlook.