THE SELECTION OF THE BRIDE
[Genesis:24:1-33 [1] And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. [2] And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: [3] And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: [4] But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac. [5] And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest? [6] And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again. [7] The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence. [8] And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again. [9] And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter. [10] 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, unto the city of Nahor. [11] And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water. [12] And he said O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. [13] Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: [14] And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master. [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 upon her shoulder. [16] 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. [17] And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher. [18] And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. [19] And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. [20] And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels. [21] And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not. [22] And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold; [23] And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in? [24] And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor. [25] She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in. [26] And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD. [27] And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath 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. [28] And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things. [29] And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well. [30] And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well. [31] And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels. [32] And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him. [33] And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on. ].
“As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God“ (Romans 8:14).
I Abraham‘s Charge to His Servant
1. Abraham is prospered by God, [Genesis:24:1And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
]; [Psalms:1:1-3 [1] Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
[2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
[3] And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
].
2. He is concerned for Isaac‘s welfare, [Genesis:24:2-4 [2] And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
[3] And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
[4] But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
].
3. He is confident that God will completely fulfil His promise, [Genesis:24:5-7 [5] And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
[6] And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.
[7] The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.
]; [Philippians:1:6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
].
4. Having left the land of sin and idolatry, he realises there is danger in returning, [Genesis:24:6And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.
], [Genesis:24:8And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
]; [1 Peter:2:20For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
]; [1 Peter:3:17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
].
5. The oath is taken, [Genesis:24:9And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.
].
II Abraham‘s Servant Faithful to His Master
1. He is a trusted man, obedient in every detail, [Genesis:24:10And 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, unto the city of Nahor.
]; [1 Samuel:15:22And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
]; [Matthew:7:21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
]; [Revelation:22:14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
].
2. He is a man of prayer, acknowledging God, expecting God to direct, [Genesis:24:11-14 [11] And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
[12] And he said O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
[13] Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
[14] And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
]; Proverbs 3-6.
3. His dependence upon God is rewarded, [Genesis:24:15-21 [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 upon her shoulder.
[16] 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.
[17] And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
[18] And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
[19] And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
[20] And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
[21] And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
]; [Psalms:73:24Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
].
III His Reception at the Home of Abraham‘s Relatives
1. Jewels are presented to Rebekah, [Genesis:24:22And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
]; [Revelation:21:2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
], [Revelation:21:9-10 [9] And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
[10] And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
].
2. Abraham‘s servant learns Rebekah‘s identity. She discovers his identity through his worship and praise, [Genesis:24:23-28 [23] And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?
[24] And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
[25] She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.
[26] And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.
[27] And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath 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.
[28] And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things.
].
3. A hearty welcome is given the servant of Abraham, [Genesis:24:29-32 [29] And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.
[30] And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.
[31] And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.
[32] And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him.
].
4. The business of his master is given pre-eminence over everything else, [Genesis:24:33And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.
]; [John:17:13-14 [13] And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
[14] I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
].
Isaac, the Son of Abraham
“In Isaac shall thy seed be called“ [Genesis:21:12And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
]). Isaac was a son of promise, given to Abraham by faith after 25 years of waiting. Isaac was conceived through faith by the power of God. He was heir to the promise that the world should be blessed through him. He was offered as a sacrifice unto God, and, in a figure, was raised from the dead. He was the beloved son of his father, and heir to all he possessed. Where could Abraham find a wife for his son Isaac?
Jesus, the Son of God
However great the honour might be to be the bride of one so miraculously born into this world, greater far is the privilege of being joined with the promised Seed, who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, and “who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist“ [Colossians:1:15-17 [15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
[16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
[17] And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
]). Where can a Bride be found for the royal Son of God who tasted death for all men, and came forth the Conqueror of death, and the power of the grave?
Eliezer, the Servant of Abraham
Before the birth of Isaac, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant born in Abraham‘s house, was his heir. A trusted servant he was, for he ruled over all that Abraham possessed. Now, to some people this man might seem to be but a slave, but let us consider that at one time Abraham armed his trained servants, numbering 318, and subdued four kings. Thus Eliezer must have been a mighty leader and warrior as well as a steward. It was to this eldest servant that Abraham called when he wanted a bride selected for Isaac. “Thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: but thou shalt go unto my country and to my kindred.“
The Holy Ghost
After Christ was received into the heavens above, the Holy Ghost descended upon the 120 in the upper room. These were the disciples of Christ, and they were sanctified in heart, for they were all of one accord. The Holy Ghost was not sent unto the world, but unto the kindred of Christ -- those who were born of God and sanctified wholly. Jesus said: “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you“ [John:14:16-17 [16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
[17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
]). It is true that the Spirit of God is in the world, convicting men of sin; but He dwells with believers, and in those who have received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. To those whose temple He fills, He is a Comforter, Teacher, and Guide. He is not taking a Bride from the worldly-minded throng, but from the Church, the ecclesia, or “called-out“ ones.
Voluntary Obedience
“And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest? And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.“ Christ is not coming again in person to this earth to prepare the Bride for Himself. God sent the Holy Spirit for that office work. He speaks to hearts not yielded to Him, bringing the words of Christ to their attention. When Christ comes to meet His Bride, it will not be to walk the earth as once He did, but the Bride will rise to meet Him in the air. Only those who are willing to walk softly, and follow voice of the Spirit will be ready in that day. “Grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption“ [Ephesians:4:30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
]).
“And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath.“ The Spirit of God calls to a life of self-denial, daily consecration, and holiness, but the Bride must be willing. “My spirit shall not always strive . . .“ [Genesis:6:3And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. ]). One has but to say, “Go thy way,“ and He will be clear from His oath. But what is this that you so lightly reject? Have you counted the cost?
Abraham‘s Kindred
With the solemnity of his oath upon his mind, and knowing that he must induce a bride to journey a long distance from Mesopotamia back to Canaan, the servant loaded ten camels with choice gifts from his master‘s store. His master was rich, and well loved, and the bride for his son should not be just any maiden, but the fairest and best he could obtain. The servant‘s heart communed with God and proposed that God guide him in the selection of a bride from Abraham‘s kindred, on the basis of willing service. He took the steps that were clear, and did that which he could, then left the rest to God. Before his prayer was ended the answer came, and a damsel appeared at the well. She was a virgin, fair to look upon and willing to serve -- but he asked, “Whose daughter art thou?“.
The New Birth
One may be willing to the extent of giving his body to be burned, and still not be of the kindred of Christ. Works alone cannot suffice; only by the new birth can one belong to Christ. A ruler you may be; but to enter His Kingdom, “ye must be born again.“ Many will say in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not . . . in thy name done many wonderful works?“ only to hear, “I never knew you: depart from me“ [Matthew:7:22-33 [22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
[24] Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
[25] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
[26] And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
[27] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
[28] And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
[29] For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
]). Whose son or daughter art thou? To whom do you belong?
Room
The next thing the servant would know, “Is there room . . .?“ Would we invite another guest when our house is already filled? Solomon said: “Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!“
[2 Chronicles:6:18But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built! ]). Thus it is with this temple made of clay -- at best it is far too small. The holy Spirit is willing to come into a very humble abode, but it must be clean and empty. Jesus died that He might sanctify and cleanse His Church. The least we can do is to get our self-life out of the way, that the Holy Ghost might have room in which to dwell. Let us empty ourselves of our own ambitions that He may be the Guide. Let us humble ourselves that He may be the Teacher. Let us forget ourselves that He may take the things of Christ and show them unto us.
The earnestness of Abraham‘s servant to fulfil his mission would not permit him to eat until he had told his errand. Do you today realise the earnestness of the Spirit’s call, and the necessity for the Bride to make herself ready?
1. What form of worship was customary in the land where Abraham lived?
2. Why did Abraham not want Isaac to go to Haran to secure a wife?
3. What was Abraham‘s servant‘s attitude toward God?
4. Why do we say this servant is a type of the Holy Spirit?
5. How did Rebekah find out whose servant he was?
6. What authority did Abraham give the servant? and to what extent was he limited as to Abraham‘s possessions?
7. Who was Laban?
8. Did Abraham‘s servant go alone on his errand?
9. What provisions did the family of Rebekah make for their comfort?
10. What are some similarities between Isaac and Christ?
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