This is the longest chapter in Genesis and it tells a beautiful story of how people come to Jesus and Church ( Bride of Christ) is formed. Genesis draws a picture of what is to come in new covenant , The covenant that we are under . In Ch 22 we saw the Abraham almost sacrificed Issac which is what happened on cross of Calvary when our father gave his only son and sacrificed him for our sins. In Next chapter we see the death of Sarah and that is an illustration of God putting away the nation of Israel. Just as was the case when Jesus was crucified, nation of Israel was destroyed , they were scattered but not FOREVER as we will learn later in Genesis. God has plan for his people. So it is natural , that in this chapter we see the introduction of HOLY Spirit, as it was the case after the resurrection. Please keep in mind following as we go through the chapter and you will see how a person comes to Jesus and finds salvation. Let’s look at this beautiful illustration. If you have been reading this blog or attending the study , you know about the types represented in Genesis but just in case you need a reminder.
Abraham is a type of God the father
Isaac is Type of Jesus
Name less servant : Holy Spirit
Camels in chapter : LAW
Well of water: Jesus. It is amazing through out bible so many life changing encounters happen at the well.
Rebekah: Church
Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh, 3 and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; 4 but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”
First verse is wonderful witness and proof of promise of God. Abraham left his home as he was told and it say here he was blessed in all things. Bible tells us “Seek ye the kingdom of God and rest will be added unto you.” We are to seek FIRST kingdom of God and rest of the stuff that world runs after are given to us. Many of us make our work, children, wife, EVEN CHURCH a bigger priority than relationship with God. We do not spend enough time in prayer or reading scripture because we are busy but here we see Abraham put his faith in God and he was blessed in all things.
Why is the servant not named? Because Work of Holy spirit is not to draw attention to himself but direct us toward Jesus. Abraham asked his servant to find a bride just like Holy Spirit draws people to Jesus.
5 And the servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?”6 But Abraham said to him, “Beware that you do not take my son back there. 7 The Lord God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, ‘To your descendants[a] I give this land,’ He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. 8 And if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be released from this oath; only do not take my son back there.” 9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
As you see servant was to bring bride back to Isaac just as Spirit tugs on our heart and as illustrated by the servant, the Holy spirit will never force anyone to accept Christ. The choice is always ours. Abraham clearly told servant to ask her, not to force his will on her. Each time we hear the gospel or read scripture, spirit is speaking to us. Spirit is always seeking to bring people to Christ and be blessed by salvation but many reject that call and never accept the Christ. Our mission is to share the gospel, that’s all we can do. We can not bring anyone to Christ by force. They must come to Christ on their own.
10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, for all his master’s goods were in his hand. And he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. 11 And he made his camels kneel down outside the city by a well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water. 12 Then he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”
I find it interesting that he took TEN camels. I hope you understand the significance of that number. He comes to Abraham’s town and he prays to God. What wonderful testimony when people pray to God and say GOD of my master. There was no doubt about who Abraham worshipped and his faith had influenced the people around him. Can we say same thing about our faith? we should strive to have that kind of faith and our life should be testimony that draws attention our savior JESUS. The task servant suggested was not an easy task. It would take hours to quench the thirst of 10 camels after a journey in desert. The camels in story represents the LAW. As Paul so beautifully teaches in Romans, law can only bring you to Jesus. The 10 commandments were impossible to keep. What law does is, make you realize that you need a redeemer. It reveals our sinful nature and need for redemption.
15 And it happened, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. 16 Now the young woman was very beautiful to behold, a virgin; no man had known her. And she went down to the well, filled her pitcher, and came up. 17 And the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me drink a little water from your pitcher.”18 So she said, “Drink, my lord.” Then she quickly let her pitcher down to her hand, and gave him a drink. 19 And when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” 20 Then she quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough, ran back to the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels. 21 And the man, wondering at her, remained silent so as to know whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.
That was quick answer to prayer. Before he even finished , Rebekah was there and she offered to water all the camels exactly as servant had prayed. Rebekah here is described as beautiful and lot of us feel, we are Ugly, not good enough to be bride of Christ, Satan keeps reminding us of our shortcomings and our failures but remember beauty is in eyes of beholder, when our bride groom Jesus se us in our sinful state, as described here he just looks at us as beautiful.
22 So it was, when the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a golden nose ring weighing half a shekel, and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels of gold, 23 and said, “Whose daughter are you? Tell me, please, is there room in your father’s house for us to lodge?”
Servant who is type of Holy spirit gives gifts to Rebekah -a type of church. Paul talks about the gifts of Spirit. Peter and rest were filled with holy spirit and received gift of healing, preaching, teaching etc. This gifts are available to us today. Holy spirit is within all of us and if we listen to the leading of spirit, there is no reason why we can not receive same gifts.
Rest of the chapter teaches how the story plays out with family. Laban is a worldly man but he is interested in the gifts. In Acts we read of man who wanted to filled with Holy spirit so he can do miracles like disciples and get rich. Laban was not interested in God of Abraham, he was impressed by the gifts Rebekah received. In verse 50-53 we read servants gives silver and gold to Laban once he gives permission for marriage. Paul talks about a saved person married to unsaved person in Corinthians 7:14, Rebekah’s gifts overflowed to her family. You might be reaping the benefits of being in family of believers and you might have false sense of security but salvation is an individual decision and choice has to be made by each individual. Please don’t be fooled , Make that decision today, accept Christ as savior.
58 Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?”And she said, “I will go.”
Like Abraham , Rebekah was willing to go to a man she had never met. To a place she has never seen. This is a step of faith each one of us has to take. We don’t know what future holds but minute we take a leap of faith, we know who holds the future. Jesus told Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” We have not seen Jesus but soon we will. Rebekah was willing to go because she liked what she had heard about Isaac and she was willing to follow. Come to know Jesus personally and I have no doubt you will want to follow him.
61 Then Rebekah and her maids arose, and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.62 Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he dwelt in the South. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming. 64 Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel; 65 for she had said to the servant, “Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?”The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took a veil and covered herself.
What is Jesus doing for us right now? Like Isaac here , Jesus is praying for us constantly. What a wonderful picture, Lord sees and is watching for us. He knows servant is out looking and like Isaac, he is praying and longing for your soul.
66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
This is a very important verse and one which is misinterpreted at times. Many believe in replacement theology that Christians have replaced Jews as God’s people but that can not be further from the truth. Isaac bought Rebekah into Sarah’s tent. Sarah represents Israel. Rebekah represents the church. She did not replace Sarah but simply was bought into the place Sarah occupied. The church is not Israel any more than Rebekah was Sarah. Do not think God is through with Jews, we must read the rest of the story to see God is not done with Israel.
Have you felt the tug of holy spirit in your heart? Have you heard the still voice of God calling you? if you have ignored that tug, that voice, do not delay accept Christ as your savior. Jesus has done all that needs to be done. Wages of sin is death and he died for us so we may have everlasting life. Won’t you open your heart to him? He is the living water and no can satisfy the thirst but him. No one can decide for you. Religion and rituals can not save you . Those who are Christian from birth or those who attend church but are not born again, Like Laban you might be enjoying the gifts but it was only Rebekah who came to promise land. Don’t miss out. Jesus said no once can enter the kingdom unless you are born again. Are you BORN AGAIN?
What beautiful picture God has painted in this chapter for us to learn from. May God add blessing to his words. Amen
only savior jesus 