Lesson 13 - Junior
Memory Verse
"The marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready" (Revelation 19:7).
Notes
At Rebekah's House
In a previous lesson we learned that Abraham's servant, Eliezer, had gone to the land of Mesopotamia in order to bring back a young woman to be a wife for Isaac, Abraham's son. Upon reaching his destination, just outside the city by the well the servant had met Rebekah. A little later her brother had also come down to the well and invited the travellers to their home.
Nothing was left undone in order to make it comfortable for these visitors from afar. Their feet were washed, and food was brought for them. But Eliezer had not as yet told his mission, which meant more to him than food. "I will not eat, until I have told mine errand," he said. So he told of his master, Abraham, and his great wealth; also of Isaac, who was heir to all this.
Consent Given
Then he told the purpose of his errand, of his prayer at the well, and the answer to his prayer. But it was necessary to have the consent of Rebekah's family. They recognised at once that this matter was of the Lord, and said unto Eliezer, "Take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken." Overjoyed, the servant bowed himself to the earth and worshiped the Lord. Now he knew, indeed, that his journey was prospered by the Lord. He brought forth more jewels of silver, and gold, and clothing for Rebekah. He also gave gifts to her mother and her brother.
Rebekah's Choice
The next morning, Eliezer desired to be on his way and take Rebekah with him, but the mother and brother asked that she stay with them "a few days, at the least ten, after that she shall go." But the servant knew that a delay might make the parting even harder, and his reply was, "Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master." Rebekah's mother called her and said, "Wilt thou go with this man?" She had to make her own choice; and without hesitation she said, "I will go."
Without further delay, the family of Rebekah blessed her and sent her on her way with Eliezer and his men, to the land of Canaan to become the wife of Isaac, Abraham's son of promise.
Adorning the Bride
The golden earrings, the bracelets, the jewels, the fine clothing given Rebekah before she met Isaac, are all typical of the Spirit's graces which are given the soul that is pressing in for more of God. The anointings of the Spirit that fall upon the soul like the dew of Heaven, are also the adornings of the Bride of Christ. They are the priceless jewels that God gives, and nothing so beautifies a soul as the Spirit of God. The very countenance radiates the glory that comes into the soul that is saved and sanctified and has gone on until God poured out the mighty baptism of the Holy ghost.
The Call Today
Who will say, with decision, courage, and faith, as Rebekah said, "I will go"? The Spirit is saying, "Hinder me not," unto those who would draw back, or those who would cause others to withhold consecrations from Him. Will you go into the secret place of the most High? Will you have the treasures of the Son of God revealed to you? Will you say "I want the ornaments that will make me ready to be the Bride of Christ"?
Can we afford not to be ready? Can we afford to say, "He'll tarry ten days," or "He'll tarry five days," or, "He'll tarry one day"? No! We must say, when the Spirit is wooing, "I'll go, I'll go." The one by your side may say '"Tomorrow," but the Spirit says, "Today!" The call has gone forth. Some who are saved are not yet sanctified; some have not been endued with Power from on High, the mighty baptism of the Holy Ghost. Will you seek for and obtain these spiritual experiences and thereby say, "I will go"?
Isaac's Wife
Let us leave the caravan bearing the bride to be and her nurse to the land of Canaan, and go on ahead. There, as the eventide is upon us, we see Isaac out in the field meditating, alone. He lifts his eyes and in the distance he sees the camels coming. Nearer and nearer they come. Then he sees Rebekah as she lights from the camel. It is said that even today in some lands when a young woman riding meets a man, it is an act of courtesy to dismount. Rebekah had inquired who the man was who was walking in the field; and when told that it was Isaac, out of modesty and respect, she covered herself with her veil -- an important part of a woman's dress in those days. Only the eyes were to be seen.
Eliezer at once gave an account to Isaac of all things that he had done. How happy Isaac must have been to know that the Lord had prospered the servant's journey! Courteously he took Rebekah to the tent, which had been occupied by Sarah, his mother. Rebekah became Isaac's wife, and he loved her. He could say of her, "Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee" (Song of Solomon 4:7).
Qualifications of the Bride
Rebekah met the requirements in every way: she was willing, courteous efficient, capable, cheerful, unselfish, and she rendered "hospitality . . . without grudging" (I Peter 4:9). She left her home to go to meet her bridegroom in a faraway country. Isaac came out to claim her. Jesus will one of these days leave His throne in Heaven and come down to claim His waiting Bride. Are you ready?
Questions
1. Why was the servant so eager to return at once with Rebekah?
2. What evidence did he have that the Lord had answered his prayer?
3. What question was asked Rebekah? and what was her reply?
4. In what ways is Rebekah a type of the Bride of Christ?
5. Who will make up the Bride of Christ?
6. Who was the first to see the camels coming
7. Tell of the meeting between Isaac and Rebekah.
8. Name some of the signs that indicate the nearness of the coming of the Lord.