Genesis 24

Abraham communicates with eldest servantverses 1-6

And Abraham was old – and well stricken in age

and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things

And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house

that ruled over all that he had

Put – I pray you – your hand under my thigh

and I will make you swear by the LORD

the God of heaven – and the God of the earth

that you shall not take a wife to my son of the

daughters of the Canaanites among whom I dwell

BUT you shall go unto my country and my kindred

and take a wife to my son Isaac

And the servant said to him

Suppose the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land

must I needs bring your son again to the land from

where you came?

And Abraham said to him

Beware you that you bring not my son there again

Abraham instructs his servantverses 7-9

The LORD God of heaven – which took me from my father’s house

and from the land of my kindred – and which spoke to me

and that swore to me saying

Unto your seed will I give this land

HE shall send HIS angel before you

and you shall take a wife to my son from there

And if the woman will not be willing to follow you

THEN you shall be clear from this my oath

only bring not my son there again

And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham- his master

and swore to him concerning that matter

Servant travels to the city of Nahorverses 10-14

And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master

and departed for all the goods of his master were in his hand

and he arose and went to Mesopotamia

to the city of Nahor

And he made his camels to kneel down outside the city

by the well of water at the time of the evening

even the time that women go out to draw water

And he said

O LORD God of my master – Abraham – I pray YOU

send me good speed this day

and show kindness unto my master Abraham

BEHOLD – I stand here by the well of water

and the daughters of the men of the city come out to

draw water – and let it come to pass

that the damsel to whom I shall say

Let down thy pitcher – I pray you

that I may drink

And she shall say

Drink – and I will give your camels drink also

let the same be she that YOU

have appointed for YOUR

servant – Isaac

And thereby shall I know that YOU have shown kindness

to my master

LORD sends answer immediately to his prayerverses 15-20

And it came to pass – before he had FINISHED speaking -that

BEHOLD – Rebekah came out – who was born to

Bethuel – son of Milcah – the wife of Nahor

Abraham’s brother

with her pitcher upon her shoulder

And the damsel was VERY FAIR to look upon – a virgin

neither had any man known her – and she went down to the well

and filled her pitcher – and came up

And the servant ran to meet her and said

Let me – I pray you – drink a little water from your pitcher

And she said – Drink my lord – and she HASTENED

and let down her pitcher on her hand

and gave him drink

And when she had finished giving him drink – she said

I will draw water for your camels also

until they have finished drinking

And she HASTENED – and emptied her pitcher into the trough

and RAN again unto the well to draw water

and drew for all his camels

Servant gives gifts and asks questionsverses 21-25

And the man wondering at her held his peace

to learn whether the LORD had made his journey

prosperous or not

AND it came to pass – as the camels had finished drinking

that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight

and two bracelets for her wrists of

ten shekels weight of gold

And said – Whose daughter are you? tell me – I pray you

is there room in your father’s house for us to lodge in?

And she said to him – I am the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah

whom she bore unto Nahor

She said moreover to him – We have both straw and fodder enough

and room to lodge in

Servant praises the LORDverses 26-28

And the man bowed down his head and WORSHIPED the LORD

and he said

Blessed be the LORD God of my master – Abraham

WHO has not left destitute my master of HIS mercy

and HIS truth – I being in the way

the LORD led me to the house of

my master’s brethren

And the damsel RAN

and told them of her mother’s house these things

Laban – Rebekah’s brotherverses 28-31

And Rebekah had a brother – and his name was Laban

and Laban RAN out to the man to the well

And it came to pass – when he saw the earring and bracelets

on his sister’s hands – and when he heard the

words of Rebekah – his sister saying

Thus spoke a man to me

that he came to the man

and behold – he stood by the camels at the well

And he said – Come in – you blessed of the LORD

wherefore stand you outside?

for I have prepared the house

and room for the camels

Servant tells of his missionverses 32-41

And the man came into the house – and he ungirded his camels

and gave straw and fodder for the camels

and water to wash his feet

and the men’s feet that were with him

And there was set food before him to eat – BUT he said

I will not eat – until I have told mine errand

And he said

Speak on

And he said – I am Abraham’s servant

and the LORD has blessed my master greatly

and he is become great – and HE given him

flocks – herds – silver – gold

menservants – maidservants

camels – asses

And Sarah

my master’s wife bare a son to my master when she was old

and to him has he given all that he has

And my master made me swear – saying

You shall not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the

Canaanites – in whose land I dwell

but you shall go unto my father’s house

and to my kindred

and take a wife to my son

And I said to my master

Suppose the woman will not follow me

And he said unto me

The LORD – before WHOM I walk

will send HIS angel with you – and will prosper your way

and you shall take a wife for my son of my kindred

of my father’s house

THEN shall you be clear from this my oath

when thou come to my kindred

and IF they give not you one

you shalt be clear from my oath

Servant tells of his prayer at the wellverses 42-44

And I came this day to the well and said

O LORD God of my master – Abraham

IF now you do prosper my way which I go

BEHOLD – I stand by the well of water

and it shall come to pass

that when the VIRGIN comes forth to draw water

and I say to her – Give me – I pray you

a little water from your pitcher to drink

and she say to me – BOTH drink you

and I will also draw for your camels

let the same be the woman whom the LORD

has appointed for my master’s son

Servants tells of immediate answer to his prayerverses 45-49

And BEFORE I had finished speaking in mine heart

BEHOLD – Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder

And she went down to the well – and drew water – and I said to her

Let me drink – I pray you and she made HASTE

and let down her pitcher from her shoulder – and said

Drink – and I will give your camels drink also

so I drank – and she made the camels drink also

And I asked her – and said

Whose daughter are you?

And she said – The daughter of Bethuel – Nahor’s son

whom Milcah bore unto him

and I put a earring in her face

and the bracelets on her hands

And I bowed down my head – and WORSHIPED the LORD

and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham

WHO had led me in the RIGHT WAY to take my

master’s brother’s daughter to his son

And now – IF you will deal kindly and truly with my master – tell me

and IF NOT – tell me – that I may turn to the right hand or to the left

Laban & Bethuel say YESverses 50-54

THEN Laban and Bethuel answered and said

The thing proceeds from the LORD

we cannot speak to you bad or good

BEHOLD – Rebekah is before you – take her – and go

and let her be your master’s son’s wife

as the LORD has spoken

And it came to pass – that – when Abraham’s servant heard their words

he WORSHIPED the LORD – bowing himself to the earth

And the servant brought forth jewels of silver – jewels of gold – raiment

and gave them to Rebekah – he gave also to her brother and to

her mother precious things

And they did eat and drink

he and the men that were with him and tarried all night

And they rose up in the morning – and he said

Send me away unto my master

Family wanted her to stay ten daysverses 55-58

And her brother and her mother said

Let the damsel abide with us a few days – at the least ten

after that she shall go

And he said to them

Hinder me not – SEEING the LORD has prospered my way

send me away that I may go to my master

And they said

We will call the damsel and inquire at her mouth

And they called Rebekah and said to her

Will you go with this man?

And she said – I will go

Family gives parting blessingverses 59-61

And they sent away Rebekah – their sister and her nurse

and Abraham’s servant – and his men

And they blessed Rebekah and said to her

You are our sister be you the mother of thousands of millions

and let your seed possess the gate of those who hate them

And Rebekah arose – and her damsels – and they rode on the camels

and followed the man – and the servant took Rebekah

and went his way

Rebekah sees Isaac walking in fieldverses 62-65

And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahai-roi

for he dwelt in the south country

And Isaac went out to MEDITATE in the field at the eventide

and he lifted up his eyes – and saw – and – behold

the camels were coming

And Rebekah lifted up her eyes – and when she saw Isaac

she alighted from the camel

for she had said unto the servant

What man is this that walks in the field to meet us?

And the servant had said – It is my master

THEREFORE she took a veil and covered herself

Servant tells Isaac what had happenedverse 66

And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done

Isaac takes Rebekah as his wifeverse 67

And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent – and took Rebekah

and she became his wife – and he loved her

and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 3 And I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that you shall not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell. (7650“swear” [shaba] means to cause to take an oath, to adjure, to make a statement, to give a pledge, to cause someone to promise solemnly, or to bind by an oath)

DEVOTION: Marriage is very important to the LORD. Remember that each date is a potential mate. So if we go on a date with someone who doesn’t love the LORD and we are a believer we could end up with a mixed marriage. These cause real problems when one person wants to follow the LORD and the other doesn’t. There are fights that go on and the ones who suffer are the children because there is not a united witness.

Most of the time when there is a mixed marriage the children will follow the example of the one who is not a believer because there are fewer rules under that parent. So the children may think that they are believers but they are living like those who are not believers. It causes problems in their thinking.

Abraham didn’t want this for his son. His family seemed to be ones that were willing to follow the LORD. So the family back home was more likely to become believers and follow the LORD. He wanted a wife for his son from that group of people rather than from the people of the land he was living in.

The Canaanites were worshipers of idols. They had many false gods that they worshiped. It would have hindered the moving of the LORD in Abraham’s son. So we find that all parents that are believers want their children to marry believers who will honor the LORD.

Children need to realize that if they date individuals who don’t love the LORD they could be lead in the wrong direction. Once you start compromising your believes regarding moral purity it is hard to go back to the pure life the LORD wants you to lead. Parents instruct your children in the problems with dating those who don’t love the LORD.

There are even some people who fake loving the LORD and really are not true followers but want to date individuals who are followers of the LORD.

CHALLENGE: Only the LORD can give you discernment regarding who you should date and who you shouldn’t date. Listen to the Holy Spirit and the spiritual leaders around you regarding this matter.

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

: 7 The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spoke to me, and that swore to me, saying, To your seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife unto my son from thence. (4397 “angel” [mal’ak] means messenger, ambassador, representative, one sent, supernatural being created by God, envoy, or courtier)

DEVOTION: There some people who don’t believe in other created beings of God. The Bible makes it plain that there are messengers that God send out to help HIS followers. The Bible also makes it plain that there are supernatural beings in heaven worshiping HIM. Also we find in the beginning that God assigns two cherubim to guard the entrance to the Garden of Eden, so that, Adam and Eve don’t reenter and eat of the tree of life.

Now we have Abraham instructing his servant regarding a proper wife for Isaac. He didn’t want him to marry one of the women in the land of Canaan. He wanted someone from his own family for his son to marry. At that time it was good for individuals to marry their cousins. Things are different now.

Well the servant wasn’t sure about his assignment. He didn’t think he could go to the city of Nahor and that someone would return with him to marry Isaac.

Abraham believed God. Abraham states that God had promised him the land for an inheritance. So the land of Canaan was going to be an inheritance for the descendants of Abraham if he obeyed the LORD and stayed in the land.

He knew that the LORD wanted him to get a wife for Isaac that would help him honor the LORD. He knew that if Isaac traveled to his relatives he might stay with them. So he sent a servant to bring a wife back for him.

Now the servant was worried but Abraham knew that the LORD was going to send one HIS servants ahead of his servant to make sure that the marriage took place.

There seem to be about 22 different types of created beings called angels that are available to God. It is thought by some that they were created on the sixth day of creation. I have always thought that they were around for a longer period of time. They were created to be messengers between God and his people. They were created to be worshipers of God. They were created to be guardians of the holiness of God. There are angels all around us and the Bible teaches that there are good and evil angels over every nations. America has both a good and evil angel over them. It seems like the evil angel is winning at the present time but the LORD knows what is going to happen in the future to this country.

We have to realize that there are days that we need the protection of our guardian angel to get us through some of the trials the LORD allows in our life. This guardian angel that Abraham talked about was going to be going ahead of the servant to make sure that the right person became the wife of Isaac.

CHALLENGE: Realize that those who are followers of Christ have the Holy Spirit indwelling them and angels watching over them. We are truly blessed of the LORD.

: 15 And it came to pass before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher on her shoulder. (3607 “done speaking” [kala’] means to finish, be complete, come to an end, completed, be concluded, or accomplished)

DEVOTION: This can be a problem. Here we have the servant of Abraham praying for the LORD to bless his mission with an answer to a specific prayer. The servant gives real details to his prayer for the LORD to answer. He wants the right woman to do just the things that he states in his prayer. Abraham told him that an angel would go before him and provide the right woman for his son. He believed Abraham knew what he was talking about and so he prayed that way.

Now even before he was done speaking the LORD answered his prayer. So we have an immediate answer to a specific prayer. Does this happen all the time? The answer is NO!

Daniel prayed and it took an angel twenty one days before the answer came. There was fighting going on between the angels, so that, the answer was delayed. On other occasions we find Gideon putting out a fleece before the LORD and the LORD answered his request.

So we find that God can answer prayers immediately or sometimes it takes some time. Why isn’t it always the same? We don’t really know why. That is how God deals with our prayer life.

There are things that hinder our prayers. The one that comes to mind is when a husband is not treating his wife right it hinders the prayers of the husband. We find that sometimes we allow Satan to be active in our life and we need to confess our sins and then God can send an answer.

God always answers prayers but not always in the way we like. HE sometimes wants us to wait for a while before HE will give us the answer that we want. Other times HE can say NO and we don’t understand why HE says it.

Our responsibility is to pray no matter what. HE wants us to communicate with HIM. There are people who claim to be believers who seem to never pray because they think God is going to do what HE pleases when HE pleases so why bother praying. The answer is because HE commands us to pray and Jesus taught HIS disciples to pray.

CHALLENGE: We will never receive an answer to prayer if we never pray. We are commanded to pray without ceasing. Just do it!!! God will honor you for your obedience.

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold the camels were coming. (7742 “meditate” [suwach] means to muse pensively, commune, speak, or pray)

DEVOTION: There is a lot of pray going on before the marriage of Isaac. Abraham has the idea that he should send his servant to find a wife for Isaac at his brother’s house. He didn’t want a wife for him from the Philistines. He sends his servant with the encouragement that an angel from God will go before him to his chosen destination.

When the servant arrived at the location, he prayed for the LORD to send a woman that was from the household of Abraham and was a worker. Rebekah came to the well and he asked for water and she gave him water and his camels. This was an answer to prayer before he had even finished his prayer.

God was kind to Abraham and did send an angel before the servant. The prayer was answered and Rebekah came back with the servant.

While they were on their way they spotted Isaac in the field. What was he doing? He was communicating with the LORD. Here is Isaac with an uncertain future in a field talking with the LORD regarding that future and along comes his bride.

Remember that the servant says that “before he has finished” Rebekah came forward to draw water. God answered the prayer immediately. God can answer our prayers immediately. When we are concentrating on God’s fellowship with us, and seeking HIS will in our prayers, they can be answered faster than just coming to him with our list of demands. Abraham wanted a wife for his son that was not from the nation of the Canaanites. God wants us to marry those who love HIM. That was a concern for Abraham. That also was a concern for Isaac. That should be a concern for us. No saved individual should marry an unsaved spouse thinking that they will convert them after marriage. It has been a problem for years and continues to be a problem in the church. So many feel that there are no Christians worth marrying, so they look in other places.

When Isaac saw her he loved her at first sight. She was a comfort to him. God has that certain Christian someone for all of HIS children. We are to marry those who love HIM. Can we go to God in confidence that we are asking for something HE wants us to have because we are in HIS presence when we are asking? Too often we pray in a hurry. Too often we don’t sit and listen to the LORD before we pray. Too many don’t have intimate communion with God on a regular basis. It sounds like Isaac had this relationship with the LORD. Let’s learn from his example.

CHALLENGE: If you are single only look for those who love the LORD. If you are married to someone who is not a believer, pray, pray, pray. Have all your Christian friends pray for their conversion. Pray and intimate fellowship should be a priority on a daily basis.

:66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. (6213 “done” [ʿasah] means 1 to do, fashion, accomplish, make. 1a (Qal). 1a1 to do, work, make, produce. 1a1a to do. 1a1b to work. 1a1c to deal (with). 1a1d to act, act with effect, effect. 1a2 to make. 1a2a to make. 1a2b to produce. 1a2c to prepare. 1a2d to make (an offering). 1a2e to attend to, put in order. 1a2f to observe, celebrate. 1a2g to acquire (property). 1a2h to appoint, ordain, institute. 1a2i to bring about. 1a2j to use. 1a2k to spend, pass. 1b (Niphal). 1b1 to be done. 1b2 to be made. 1b3 to be produced. 1b4 to be offered. 1b5 to be observed. 1b6 to be used. 1c (Pual) to be made. 2 (Piel) to press, squeeze. [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship])

DEVOTION: Abraham’s servant (unnamed) had completed the mission that Abraham had sent him on. God had answered his prayer, and had led him to the family of Laban, where he had met and brought back Rebekah as Isaac’s wife. At this point, the servant was probably pumped about his faith and all that the LORD had done for him and for Abraham and Isaac. He was really believing the promises which God had made to Abraham.

Can you imagine how he must have gone about telling the story to Abraham and his family? There was probably a lot of emotion, tears, and animation in his speech. He probably included all the details he could remember, and mentioned all the names of Rebekah’s family. This was a really big deal, because it was going to result in a major wedding in this family (we do not know anything about the marriage of Ishmael or the rest of Abraham’s sons).

Sometimes we need to be ready and willing to sit back and listen to others as they tell us what God has worked in their lives, especially missionaries. Too often missionaries come home of furlough and are exhausted from the work which they have been doing, only to be greeting in this country with passive indifference (you were where all these years?). We do not give them the chance to tell the story of all that God has done through them in their mission field. This is an important part of increasing both their and our faith.

CHALLENGE: Find one missionary today (or another believer), and ask them to tell you what God is allowing to happen through their life today. (MW)

DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Isaac meditating in the fieldverse 63

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Abraham’s servant praysverses 12-14

LORD answers prayerverses 15-28

Repeat of prayerverses 42-44

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

Abraham’s servant worships the LORDverses 26, 27, 48, 52

Abraham’s servant praises the LORDverse 27

Blessed the LORDverse 48

DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

LORD (Jehovah)verses 1, 3, 7, 12, 21, 26, 27, 31, 35, 40, 44, 48, 50, 51, 52, 56

LORD blessed Abrahamverse 1

Godverses 3, 7, 12

God of heavenverse 3

God of earthverse 3

LORD God of heavenverse 7

LORD Godverses 12, 27, 42, 48

LORD ledverse 27

LORD sent his angelverse 40

LORD has appointedverse 44

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Angelverses 7, 40

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Abrahamverses 1-9, 12, 27, 34, 37, 42, 48

Old and well stricken

Eldest servant = verses 2-66

Ruled over all Abraham had

Sent to Abraham’s country and kindred

Find a wife for Isaac

Went to Mesopotamia

City of Nahor

Prayed for wife for Isaac

Gave gifts to Rebekah

Asked if he would stay with family

Worshiped the LORD for answered prayer

Blessed of the LORD

In house of Bethuel

Abraham’s servant

Explained his trip and prayer

Worshiped the LORD

Gave jewels, raiment to all

Told Laban to not hinder his going

Canaanites verses 3, 37

Isaacverses 4, 14

Mesopotamiaverse 10

Nahorverses 10, 15, 24, 47, 53

Milcah = wife of Nahor

Abraham’s brother

Bethuel = son of Nahorverses 15, 24, 47, 50

Daughter named Rebekah

Rebekahverses 15-67

Very fair

Virgin

Good worker

Takes nurse with her

Blessed by mother and brother

Wife of Isaac

Labanverses 29, 31, 50, 53, 60

Brother of Rebekah

Saw gifts she received from servant

Given gifts

Sarahverses 36, 67

Isaacverses 62-67

Meditate

Walking in field

Master

Servant told all that had happened

Brought Rebekah into his mother’s tent

Loved Rebekah

Comforted after his mother’s death

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Speak badverse 50

Hateverse 60

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Blessedverses 1, 35

Kindnessverse 12

Praiseverse 27

Mercyverse 27

Truthverse 27

Leading of the LORDverse 27

Walk with the LORDverse 40

Prosper verses 40, 56

Appointedverse 44

Speak goodverse 50

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Church (New Testament people of God)

Last Things (Future Events)

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QUOTES regarding passage

What is unusual about this particular narrative, and also what makes it unusually long, is the fact that even though we, the readers, already know who the young girl was and what family she was from, we still must wait for the servant to inquire of the girl and find out for himself. Rather than finding out such information at the same time as the character in the narrative, the reader’s part in the story is to look on as the servant himself discovers who the girl is and how the Lord had prepared his way. The point of the narrative is not so much the reader’s discovery of what God has done but rather the servant’s response to it. The purpose of this, apparently, is to give due attention to the Lord’s role in the events. The writer is not content with leaving the reader alone with such an amazing picture of God’s work. Rather, in the character of the servant and in his response, the reader is shown the proper response to such events. Such divine preparation for the descendants of Abraham and the line of the blessing must be accompanied by the kind of appreciation seen in the servant: “Then the man bowed down and worshiped the Lord saying, “Praise be to the Lord the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master’ ” (vv.26–27). (Sailhamer, J. H. (1990). Genesis. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, p. 177). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House)

Ver. 26. And the man bowed down his head, &c.] To shew what a deep sense he had of the divine goodness, and in humble acknowledgment of the favours he had received in being thus providentially directed: and worshipped the Lord; gave thanks unto him, that he had thus far prospered him, hoping and believing that things were in good forwardness, according to his master’s mind and will. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 1, p. 167). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

24:24–26 Abraham’s servant was overwhelmed by God’s grace, so he worshiped the Lord. He prostrated himself to the ground (the meaning of worshiped; 19:1; 22:5). No wonder Abraham had so greatly trusted him (vv. 1–9) (Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible commentary (p. 46). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.)

“Whose daughter art thou?” (Gen. 24:23) is a key question for any suitor to ask. Of course, the servant was interested in her family, but the question has a wider application for Christian believers today, both men and women. “Are you a child of God? Have you been born again into the family of God?” What a tragedy when believers marry unbelievers and try to establish a home without the full blessing of God.

The family. Rebekah took her gifts and ran home to tell her father, mother, and brother Laban (who seemed to be the leader in the home) that a generous stranger needed a place to stay for the night. Hospitality is the first law of the East, so the family went out to meet the visitor. Laban’s character is revealed in 24:30: He was more excited about the expensive gifts than the privilege of showing hospitality to a stranger. Isaac and Rebekah’s son Jacob would discover years later what a clever rogue Laban really was (Gen. 29–31).

The servant would not eat until he had fulfilled his mission (24:33; John 4:32). He did not speak about himself but about Isaac and his great wealth. (The train of ten camels helped to tell the story.) He reviewed his experience at the well, and for the first time Rebekah discovered that she had been “measured” for a new and exciting assignment. But, would they let her go, and would she be willing to go?

Before we learn the answer to those questions, we must pause to see how the servant illustrates the work of the Holy Spirit in the world today as He uses us to witness about Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8). He did not speak about himself but about his master and his riches (John 15:26; 16:13–14). He gave tokens of his master’s wealth just as the Spirit gives us the “firstfruits” and “down payment” of our spiritual riches in Christ (Eph. 1:13–14). The best is yet to come!

The servant’s job was not to argue or bribe but simply to bear witness to the greatness of his master. He did not force Rebekah to marry Isaac; he merely gave her the facts and the opportunity to make a decision. While there is nothing wrong with urging people to be saved (Acts 2:40), we must be careful not to try to take the place of the Spirit who alone can do the work of conviction in the human heart (John 16:7–11). (Wiersbe, W. W. (1991). Be Obedient (pp. 121–122). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

Presently Rebekah came along and, all unknown to herself, met the conditions. The servant at once rewarded her for her willing spirit with a generous gift. Then he discovered that she was the daughter of Bethuel and the granddaughter of Nahor, Abraham’s brother. The rest of the story followed quickly and naturally. The servant was taken to Rebekah’s home where he told about his great mission. He was abroad to find a bride for Isaac, Abraham’s beloved son, and it was evident Rebekah was the chosen of God. It was all so artless, so natural and yet, at the same time, so evidently of God, the natural overlaid with the supernatural. Here was no chance meeting. Here was a meeting planned in heaven and now taking place on earth. As the servant presented the cause and claims of Isaac, Rebekah listened with all her heart and with wide open eyes.

Woven into the warp and woof of the fabric of that very human story we see the golden threads of another and far greater story. We see the coming of the Spirit of God into the world with a great mission to win and woo a heart here and a heart there to heaven’s Beloved. Only occasionally does He speak of Himself. His great work is to make much of the Son and to tell of the Father and His wondrous ways. His great task is to seek out those who will become the bride of Christ. How wonderfully He takes advantage of life’s ordinary circumstances using them to further His quest. He never forces, never violates the human will, never overwhelms, never uses weird and uncanny means to ravish the soul. Ordinary things happen; a visit here, a chance meeting there, an unexpected conversation, a book passed on by a friend—and all the time the Spirit of God is at work. Until, at last, the gospel is presented and the hour of decision dawns. It was the servant’s way with Rebekah; it is the Spirit’s way with a soul. (Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring Genesis: An Expository Commentary (Ge 24:10–28). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.)

22–27. If I were to make any observation on this verse, it should be this: that those are the sweetest mercies which we receive as answers to prayer. They are doubly blessed. First, in that they prove that God the Holy Ghost must have taught the heart to ask them. Rom. 8:26, 27. And secondly, in that they bring with them an evidence that our God is a prayer-hearing, and a prayer-answering God. Isaiah 65:24. John 16:23. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: Genesis–Numbers (Vol. 1, pp. 99–100). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software)

26, 27. Bowed his head and worshipped. The bowing of the head and of the body are here combined to indicate the aged servant’s deep thankfulness for the guidance of the Lord. 27. The utterance of the mouth accompanies the external gesture of reverence. 28. Her mother’s house; those who were in the department of the females. We may imagine with what excitement and alacrity Rebekah would communicate the extraordinary intelligence. (Murphy, J. G. (1873). Notes on the Old Testament: Genesis (p. 355). Boston: Estes and Lauriate.)

24:27–28 God’s swift answer to the servant’s prayer evokes an immediate response of worship and praise. (Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 91). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles)

FROM MY READING:

(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)

Ezra 3
The priests restore the altar and worship of the Lord.
INSIGHT

The basis of most discontent is comparison. We could be happy with our cars if the neighbors didn’t have better ones. We would be satisfied with our houses if they were as nice as everyone else’s. Yet, were we to have our present possessions in Africa, we would be considered rich. Once our basic needs are met, the issue is not “how are we,” but rather, “how are we compared to how everyone else is.” When the foundation of the new temple is laid, the new generation rejoices at the work of God; but the older generation laments that the new temple is not as impressive as the old one. We should be content with what God has chosen to give us and not make comparisons. He is rich who rejoices in his portion. (Quiet Walk)

ANNOUNCING THE PLAN

We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. 1 Corinthians 2:7
Christian preaching announces a plan and a purpose. “Where do you find that?” asks someone. Well, look at Mark 1:14: “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled.” The Bible says that God had made this plan even before the foundation of the world itself. The apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:7, “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.” That is it.
That is the essence of this proclamation that is being made, the essence of Christian preaching. It does not say to us, “There is truth in that uncharted ocean…get out onto it, take your soundings, try to get your bearings, try to find out. Yes, you have discovered a little bit! You may go for weeks and find nothing; months, years pass, then just another little glimmer. But at last….ah, it won’t happen in your time; it will happen perhaps in your grandchildren’s, or it may be even longer than that. But go on, it is marvelous, keep on.”
No! Christian preaching is the exact opposite to that. The message of the Bible is not to urge us to try to find truth; it is to ask us to listen to the truth, to God’s truth. For its whole point is to say that God, knowing Himself, knowing man, knowing everything, has devised and schemed a plan whereby men and women can be delivered out of their failure and sin and can be made citizens and worthy citizens of God’s kingdom. This is God’s plan!
We are also told that God made this plan known. “God…hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2).
A Thought to Ponder: The message of the Bible is to ask us to listen to the truth, to God’s truth. (From The Kingdom of God, pp. 14-15, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

Songs in the Night
“Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.” (Psalm 42:7-8)
There are times in the life of a believer when he seems about to sink under great avalanches of trouble and sorrow. But then “I call to remembrance my song in the night” (Psalm 77:6), and God answers once again. In the book of Psalms, the theme of conflict and suffering is prominent, but always there is also the note of hope and ultimate triumph.
The very first psalm, for example, notes the conflict of the righteous with the ungodly but promises that “the way of the ungodly shall perish” (v. 6). The second psalm foretells the final rebellion of the heathen against God and His anointed but assures us that God will “vex them in his sore displeasure” (vv. 2, 5). In Psalm 3, the believer says: “Many are they that rise up against me.” But then he remembers that “salvation belongeth unto the LORD” (vv. 1, 8). He cries in Psalm 4: “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer” (v. 1).
In Psalm 5, immediately after the first imprecation in the psalms (“cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions”) occurs the first specific mention of singing in the book of Psalms: “Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout [literally ‘sing’] for joy, because thou defendest them” (vv. 10-11).
The Lord Jesus and His disciples sang a psalm even as they went out into the night of His betrayal and condemnation (Mark 14:26). This is His gracious promise: “Ye shall have a song, as in the night.…And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard” (Isaiah 30:29-30). (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)

…because the wrong we have suffered can never surpass the wrong we committed against Christ. Since HE forgave us, we are therefore obligated to forgive others. To fail to do so is to show contempt for the grace of God. (p. 166)

Christ reminds us that biblical love does not judge those facing hardship; rather, it seeks to serve people by ministering not only to their spiritual needs but also to their emotional and physical needs (Matt. 25:35-40; James 2: 14-17; I John 3: 17, 18.

(p. 166, Developing Leaders for the Small Church by Glenn C. Daman)

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