© Duplication and distribution of these readings is encouraged.

Internet: http://NonConformist.MyChurch.com

Genesis 24b:

Rebekah’s choice

Eliezer recounted his story to an attentive audience. (The repetition in the Bible is to direct our minds to think prayerfully on the content).

***************(Begin Quote)

Genesis 24:

34 And he said, “I am Abraham's servant. 35 And the LORD has blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he has given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses. 36 And Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master when she was old: and to him has he given all that he has. 37 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: 38 but you shall go to my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife to my son’.”

39 “And I said to my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.

40 And he said to me, ‘The LORD, before whom I walk, will send His angel with you, and prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house: 41 then shall you be clear from this my oath, when you come to my kindred; and if they give not you one, you shall be clear from my oath’.”

42 “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: 43 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 said to her, ‘Give me, I pray you, a little water of your pitcher to drink’; 44 and she said to me, ‘Both drink you, and I will also draw for your camels’: let the same be the woman whom the LORD has appointed out for my master's son. 45 And before I had done speaking in my 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.’ 46 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.”

47 “And I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him’: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands. 48 And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed [thanked] the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's [grand]daughter to his son.

49 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 [go somewhere else].”

***************(End Quote)

In this story we are not told of the background events, but they were surely happening.  The Spirit was working not only with the steward, but also with Rebekah and her family as he approached.  They all recognised in the events the hand of the LORD and followed His leading sure that happiness would be the result.  Rebekah particularly, who had been waiting for Mr Right!

***************(Begin Quote)

Genesis 24:

50 Then Laban [her brother] and Bethuel [her father] answered [the servant] and said, “The thing proceeds from the LORD [it is His will]: we cannot speak to you bad or good [we can’t alter that]. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before you, take her, and go, and let her be your master's son's wife, as the LORD has spoken [if she chooses to do so].”

52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth. 53 And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her [grand]mother precious things [when she agreed to go].

***************(End Quote)

Eliezer (this was probably his baptised name) was a follower of the LORD and he also praised the LORD for how His guidance had become so clear.  The providence of God had triumphed.

***************(Begin Quote)

Genesis 24:

54 And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried [stayed] all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, “Send me away to my master.”

55 And her brother and her [grand]mother said, “Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.” 56 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.” 57 And they said, “We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth.” 58 And they called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you go with this man [right now]?” And she said, “I will go.” [She would have been in her late 20’s or early 30’s at this time and recognised the call from God.]

59 And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse [her personal maid], and Abraham's servant, and his men. 60 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 which hate them.”

61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way [another 4 months].

***************(End Quote)

What a journey that must have been!  Rebekah no doubt asked many questions regarding the man who was to be her husband.  Although the Son of God had chosen him for her, she would naturally wonder what he was like.

***************(Begin Quote)

Genesis 24:

62 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi [“The well of the Living One who sees me”, where Hagar had seen Christ, Genesis 16:13-14]; for he dwelt in the south country [Beersheba]. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate [pray] in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. 64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel 65 for she had said to 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 [and went to meet him]. 

***************(End Quote)

It was love at first sight with her but she was wise under God and demanded no more respect than she gave herself.  Her action was one of true humility, for she knew her own dignity.  She awaited no ceremonial introduction, but getting down from the camel completely shrouded in her veil, she showed by the one action the respect due to Isaac as the son of Abraham her future husband, and by the other retained her own gentle self-respect by concealing every charm until the servant's tale was told, and Isaac claimed her as his bride.

Personal good looks were not so important to her even though she was very beautiful so she hid her face until Isaac accepted her to be his wife.

***************(Begin Quote)

Genesis 24:

66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. 67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her [as Jesus knew he would]: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. 

***************(End Quote)

An “arranged” marriage but what an Arranger!!  Now the reason for the urgency becomes clear.  Isaac was pining for his mother and Jesus wanted to comfort him so he could get on with his mission.  So both Rebekah and Isaac suited each other and were now ready to do the work to prepare the way for Jesus to be born of Mary.

What a contrast between the course of Isaac and Rebekah and that pursued by the youth of our time, even among professed Christians! Young people too often feel that the giving of their affections is a matter in which self alone should be consulted – a matter that neither God nor their parents should in any way control. Long before they have reached true manhood or womanhood they think themselves competent to make their own choice, without the aid of their parents.  A few years of married life are usually sufficient to show them their error, but often too late to prevent its results. 

The same lack of wisdom and self-control that dictated the hasty choice is permitted to aggravate the evil, until the marriage relationship becomes a galling yoke and divorce is the only solution. Many have thus wrecked their happiness in this life and their hope of the life to come.  So sad for Jesus when He only wants us to be happy.

See you next week, God willing,

Ron

Some of the comments in these readings are adapted from books in my library.  No recognition is given because they are not intended as authorities, but are used because they express my understanding clearly. All the ideas expressed in these readings, right or wrong, are my own.

 ?????