Genesis 24 may be the chapter that is longest into the guide of Genesis. With it, exactly the same tale is told twice—once since it occurs as soon as as it’s reported by Abraham’s servant. God’s screening of Abraham happens to be complete, and the focus is seen by us shift through the patriarch to their son, Isaac. Redemptive history is starting to go toward the patriarch that is second. This move is made complete at the conclusion of this chapter once the bride that is new Rebekah, comes into Sarah’s tent, thus declaring by herself since the brand brand new matriarch of Israel. God’s concern in Genesis is ever moving toward the satisfaction for the 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 years of age, Abraham had been rich sufficient to retire and anchor himself in our. Alternatively, he looked into the future—to the claims of God—and acted on those claims. He knew that the claims Jesus had provided to him will be carried through their son before the time of the satisfaction. Isaac wasn’t just the twice-given miraculous present of God’s love that is faithful he had been additionally the heir to your promises God had fond of Abraham. Just exactly How necessary, then, for their son to possess a spouse whom thought in Jesus and who does be bound into the claims of Jesus. Abraham, however, 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 would bring gods that are false your family. Nor could Abraham allow Isaac to go out of the land of vow lest he neglect to get back. Their solution would be to send a dependable servant to look for a spouse for Isaac. Because clearly as Jesus had supplied the ram in thicket early in the day for Isaac (Genesis 22:13), therefore additionally God would offer the perfect bride.

The Servant’s Commission

Scripture will not determine the servant Abraham entrusted utilizing the task of locating a spouse for their son. Likely it had been Eliezer of Damascus who Abraham had as soon as prepared on making his heir (Genesis 15:2). Whoever he had been, he had been a pious guy who thought within the energy of prayer. He had been dedicated to his insistent and master on seeing their responsibility until the end.

In faith, Abraham’s servant put down with ten camels packed with precious jewelry, clothes, along with other gift ideas, possibly as a dowry or even to illustrate Isaac’s capability 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 to that particular of Gideon (Judges 6ff.); other people into the prayer of Elijah at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). Gideon, in the one hand, had no explanation to produce any demand of Jesus. An angel of he has been told by the he ended up being the main one that would beat the Midianites. As opposed to acting in faith, Gideon reacted improperly by proposing a few tests for God to resolve. Having said that, Elijah never ever doubted the will of Jesus and forcefully required fire from paradise to show God’s omnipotence.

Abraham’s servant acknowledged his very own weakness and sought divine guidance from Jesus. Unlike Gideon, he would not require a miraculous indication from God. Alternatively, he rested when you look at the providence of Jesus to utilize ordinary activities to expose their might for Isaac’s bride. In their prayer he asked for the industrious, hardworking woman who was simply additionally hospitable and whom embodied the characteristics 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.

Jesus responded 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 ingesting, she received water for the camels. This is no chore that is small. Camels can drink twenty to thirty gallons of water—each! Ancient wells had been big, deep holes when you look at the planet with actions ultimately causing a springtime. Each drawing of water would need significant work in the young lady’s component. If Rebekah’s water container ended up being typical when it comes to day, it might only hold around three gallons of water. That designed that Rebekah had to simply simply take between eighty to at least one hundred trips down or more the stairs to your springtime to water the thirsty camels.

Following the chores had been finished, the servant found that Jesus 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 Jesus. The servant’s mention of Abraham’s title additionally caused a happy reaction from Rebekah. She had been therefore filled up with excitement that she went off to tell her household, making Abraham’s servant behind.

Meeting the household

Reaching the house of Abraham’s loved ones, the faithful servant of Abraham retold the occasions which had occurred, very very carefully including Abraham’s payment to locate a bride for their son, his bride-finding quest to Nahor, along with his providential encounter with Rebekah. The servant of Abraham had been believing that if Rebekah’s parents understood exactly exactly exactly how Jesus had led him with their daughter, they might don’t have any option but to allow Rebekah return with him to be bride that is isaac’s. Although they revealed great hospitality into the servant of these remote general and acknowledged that the problem had been from Jesus, your family ended up being reluctant to send Rebekah off straight away. ukrainian mail order brides Her mom and cousin asked that Rebekah remain before she embark on such a lengthy journey with them a few days (or months.

Currently in this chapter we received tips regarding 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 mention that is special of camels (v. 31), pets regarded as an extravagance also for the rich. Without doubt Laban had been preparing techniques to unburden the of their belongings. Whatever plans he may have experienced, current or future (Genesis 29, 30) to get materially from that which rightfully had been guaranteed to Abraham, Jesus utilized him to provide three spouses towards the offspring of this patriarch, therefore going the claims further to their conclusion.

Rebekah, having said that, saw the hand of Jesus in the earlier activities regarding the time. Like Abraham decades earlier in the day, she knew that Jesus had been 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 home ended up being much the same to God’s promise provided to Abraham. The blessing included the vow of numerous descendants, control 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 while the Church

You can just imagine the conversations Rebekah had with Abraham’s servant throughout that trip that is month-long Canaan. Just exactly 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 because of the bride of Christ.

The arranged marriages which were the customized into the ancient near east illustrate a pattern of elegance. Abraham is believed to represent Jesus the paternalfather seeking a bride for their 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 stored as those whom the Father provided Him (John 17:6–12).Isaac, the son, is thought to represent Jesus Christ. Isaac had submitted himself to be sacrificed by their father. Whereas Abraham would not 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 their bride (1 Peter 1:18, 19). Now, the ascended Christ waits for that glorious time whenever He plus the bride are united forevermore (Revelation 19:7–9).

In line with the very early church dads, 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 also the Holy Spirit draws the church into the Father through the Son. It will be the Holy Spirit whom convicts those inside the church of the misery and sin, reveals that deliverance can be obtained through Jesus Christ, then calls them to call home in appreciation to Jesus for the salvation He has got supplied.

Last but not least, Rebekah represents the church as she trusts just what she’s discovered in regards to the son from the servant, trusting that their word holds true, and that her voyage is safe provided that she follows their foremost. As Rebekah left all behind on her behalf groom; and so the church travels through this barren land looking ahead to town whose designer and builder is Jesus. Even as Rebekah should have listened eagerly to your servant inform her about her soon-to-be groom and also the claims Jesus had fond of Abraham’s family members, the church eagerly listens each Lord’s Day to your work attained by the Groom from 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 find a bride for their son. a. He could marry Isaac to your child of an area chieftain that is canaanite. b. He could send Isaac away from Canaan to Haran for the bride. c. He could send his servant that is trusted to bro discover a bride.2. Where do the servant is supposed by you learned 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 find out God’s will for the lives?5. Why did Abraham’s servant feel certain that the first woman who offered a glass or two to his camels ended up being the spouse that Jesus had selected for Isaac?6. That is Laban and just how did he react to the message regarding the servant?7. How exactly does Rebekah’s response remind you of Abraham’s faith? just What similarities would you see involving the blessing Rebekah gets while the blessing Jesus offered to Abraham?8. Do you might think the comparison with this chapter into the Church of Jesus Christ is acceptable?9. In exactly what means 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, and also the editor of The Outlook.