Review of Genesis 24

by Victor Fawole

SEEKING A SUITABLE SOULMATE FOR THE SUCCESSOR

Welcome to the longest chapter in the book of Genesis. Here, we see the wisdom of a father, the humility of a servant, the resourcefulness of a young lady, the comforting of a son, and the marks of grace all through. Let us review together!

1. THE SENDING

Gen. 24:1-4 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 thee, thy hand under my thigh: 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: But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.

I am first drawn to the line “and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.” Hmmmmn… There are at least seven types of blessings God blessed Abraham with.

• God gave him a son at old age
• God made him a father of a great nation.
• God blessed his descendants with an eternal Promised Land
• God blessed him with protection from his enemies
• God blessed him with wealth
• God blessed him with a blessed long life
• God blessed him with forgiveness, counting his faith for righteousness

Abraham is the portrait of a blessed man! As a blessed man, he understood that marriage should not be taken with levity. His son can not just marry anybody, not even the Canaanites in the land. He prepared, made plans and provisions for a bride for his son. This is the same way God prepared a Bride (the church) for His Son. Abraham sent his eldest servant, most likely Eliezer (Gen. 15:2). Eliezer means “God of help”, a foreshadow of the Holy Spirit, Who is our “Helper” (John 15:26).

He gave clear instructions, emphasizing where to go and where not to go, what to do and what not to do, in search of a wife for his son.

• Where to go: “My country”
• Where not to go: “Canaan”
• What to do: “Bring a wife for my son”
• What not to do: “Take my son back there”

Abraham insisted on these because he rested on God’s covenant and promises to hin and his descendants, through Isaac.

2. THE SEARCHING

Gen. 24:12 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.

Upon getting to the land, the servant searched. Scratch that. He prayed! Oh… how beautiful! He prayed. He did not go about scouting the land, or the ladies. He prayed for God to bring him a wife for his master’s son. You will notice:

• The DIRECTION of his Prayer: O LORD God of my master Abraham
  He prayed to God. The God of Abraham. This servant had been circumcised, so he understood some elements about the God of his master. He could have worried or complained about the enormity of the assignment, but he prayed to God.

• The DISTINCTION of his Prayer: Send me good speed this day
  He prayed for good success. The will of the master must be done, successfully. The desires of the father must be fulfilled, with great success. He didn’t bank on his own abilities for success. He understood that diligence and intelligence must rest on providence. Rather than search all over laboriously, he prayed that God should bring him His choice wife.

• The DISCRETION of his Prayer: Shew kindness unto my master Abraham
  There is no one who pleads the mercy of God that gets a “no” for an answer. Whether you are a good servant of a saint or a condemned servant of sin (Luke 18:13) or a sightless beggar (Mark 10:46-47), asking for God’s mercy touches His heart. God answered his prayer even before he finished praying!

3. THE SPOTTING

Gen. 24:15-16 Before he had finished praying, Rebecca arrived with a water jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel, who was the son of Abraham’s brother Nahor and his wife Milcah. She was a very beautiful young woman and still a virgin. She went down to the well, filled her jar, and came back.

Now, let’s talk about Rebekah. The young beautiful virgin with sterling qualities. She was a woman of loyalty, kindness, courage and faith. Her virtues were expressed in her selfless service (Prov. 31:20). As the Bride of Christ, we also express our virtues in our selfless service towards one another (Gal. 6:2, Rom. 12:13).

Rebekah was a “correct wife material”. Dutiful and diligent. Beautiful and brave.Responsible and resourceful. Compassionate and committed. Thoughtful and trustful. Fearless and friendly. Devoted and discerning. Generous and God-fearing. Hospitable and humble.

She wasn’t perfect through and through (none of us is, anyway) — as we’ll read in later chapters, but she was God’s provision for Isaac.

4. THE SECURING

Genesis 24:22,53 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… 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 mother precious things.

The servant did everything meticulously to secure the bride for his Master’s son, with a series of down payments. The Holy Spirit is the downpayment for our security (Eph. 1:13-14). He secured her with precious things! We were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ (1Pet. 1:18-19).

God gives gifts to assure us that we belong to Him. God is always giving, and we should take that posture of always receiving. We are the Bride of Jesus, and He is totally committed to furnishing us into perfection. You are a Bride, enjoy the love and attention that Jesus eternally lavishes on you!

5. THE SUCCESS

Gen. 24:26-27, 52 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD. 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… And it came to pass, that, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.

I am drawn to the servant’s repeated worship to God for the success of his mission. He started with a petition, garnished it with praise while still on it, and ended with praise. He recognized God’s providence in the circumstances, bowed to the ground and worshipped.

He worshipped the “God of Abraham”. He valued God’s covenant with Abraham and God’s character towards Abraham. He must have learnt a lot about spirituality from Abraham. His master did not just circumcise him, he also taught him to pray and worship. How beautiful!

Whether it is petition or praise, this servant approached God through the covenant God made with Abraham. As for us, we come through the New Covenant of the blood of Jesus. Our access card is Jesus (John 14:13-14).

Our good success (and good cheer) comes from the Father through Jesus and applied through the Spirit.

Hallelujah!

Dear Gogolights, is it not interesting that Isaac (Gen. 24), Jacob (Gen. 29), and Moses (Exo. 2:15-16) all found their brides by a well? The Lord met Hagar at a well two different times (Gen. 16:7; 21:19). Jesus met the Samaritan woman at a well. (John 4:7). Hmmmmn… Evangelism is best done to people who are thirsty and seeking. When you come across those who are filled with sorrow or pain, thirsty and in despair, please offer them the Living Water. Jesus is the living water who quenches the thirst of those who are sorrowful. (John 7:37-39).

Grace to you, Church!