Posted on 02/15/2008 5:33:05 PM PST by WileyPink
Genesis 24:34 And he said, I am Abraham's servant.
Genesis 24:35 And Jehovah has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great. And He has given him flocks and herds and silver and gold, and male slaves and slave women, and camels and asses.
Genesis 24:36 And Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master when she was old. And he has given to him all that he has.
Genesis 24:37 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 live.
Genesis 24:38 But you shall go to my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife to my son.
Genesis 24:39 And I said to my master, Perhaps the woman will not follow me.
Genesis 24:40 And he said to me, Jehovah, before whom I walk, will send his Angel with you, and prosper your way. And you shall take a wife for my son from my kindred, and from my father's house.
Genesis 24:41 Then shall you be clear from my oath when you come to my kindred, and if they do not give you one, you shall be clear from my oath.
Genesis 24:42 And I came this day to the well, and said, O Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, if now You prosper my way in which I go,
Genesis 24:43 behold, I stand by the well of water. And it shall be when the virgin comes forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, please, a little water from your pitcher to drink,
Genesis 24:44 and she says to me, Both you drink, and I will also draw for your camels, may she be the woman whom Jehovah has appointed for my master's son.
Genesis 24:45 And before I finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. And she went down to the well and drew water. And I said to her, Please let me drink.
Genesis 24:46 And she hurried and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give drink to your camels also. So I drank, and she made the camels drink also.
Genesis 24:47 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 nose and the bracelets upon her hands.
Genesis 24:48 And I bowed my head and worshiped Jehovah, and blessed Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter to his son.
“Do You Seek the Lord’s Guidance?”
The “love story” of Isaac and Rebekah beautifully portrays the seeking of God’s guidance by a loving and faithful father. The truths learned are far more than love, romance and marriage. The Lord’s guidance in the selection of Rebekah was the focus of the prayers of Abraham and his servant who was given the task of finding a suitable wife for Isaac.
1. Identify Your Tasks Genesis 24:34-41
Abraham at 140 years of age was focusing on the future for Isaac. From circumcision at eight days of age through years of growing into manhood, Isaac had been preparing to be a part of God’s covenant with Abraham. Now Isaac is forty and Abraham is concerned about a suitable wife for him. It was customary that the parents selected a wife for their son. A servant of Abraham’s was charged with this specific task. As the “love story” unfolds Abraham’s servant traveled to Abraham’s home country. He knew the heart of Abraham was for Isaac to have a wife from his family, not a Canaanite wife and neither was Isaac to go to Abraham’s homeland. Immediately the servant began his journey with ten camels and gifts for the prospective wife’s family. As the servant stood at the well in Abraham’s homeland, he prayed “O Lord God of my master, Abraham, please give me success this day and show kindness to my master, Abraham.” (Genesis 24:12 NKJV). Women came to the well twice a day for water for the house and to water animals. The well was a gathering place for women just as the city gate was for men. The servant’s prayer continued for a maiden to give him water and offer to water the camels. Rebekah, a granddaughter of Abraham’s brother, Nahor, arrived at the well and fulfilled the expectations of the servant’s prayer. Rebekah joyfully told her family of the stranger which resulted in Laban, her brother inviting him to stay with the family saying they had space and food for him and the animals. The servant was so intent on his task that he refused food for himself until he had explained his mission. Announcing that “I am Abraham’s servant” (Genesis 24:34 NKJV), he praised his master, told about his master’s wealth, his master’s only son born late in life and the oath taken by the servant to find a wife for his master’s son, Isaac. An important part of the explanation was the strong Godly faith of Abraham. Abraham was well respected among his family; they remembered his following God’s leadership long ago when he left Ur of the Chaldeans.
2. Rely On and Praise the Lord Genesis 24:42-48
Abraham’s servant was glad to tell Rebekah’s family how the Lord had answered his prayer and prospered him. He arrived at the well at the evening watering time as the women came to draw water. The servant’s thoughts quickly returned to his prayer for the Lord’s guidance thinking “let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son” (Genesis 24:44 NKJV). His reliance on God was answered before he finished thinking in his heart that this maiden could be the one. Little did Rebekah know that she was being considered to be asked to be a bride. Asking for a drink was not uncommon as strangers often stopped at the well. The clear sign to indicate the right woman had been selected was for her to give the servant a drink and offer to water the camels. Ten camels drinking as much as ten gallons each is a lot a water to draw. The servant having accepted the faith of his master had relied on God for guidance in this task. He seemed to enjoy relating each detail of the well experience even to noting that Rebekah made haste as she went about the task of watering. Upon her identification of Nahor’s family whom the servant recognized as Abraham’s family, a nose ring and bracelets of gold were put on Rebekah. It was time for praise and thanksgiving. The servant bowed and worshipped the Lord with blessings for leading him “in the way of truth to take the daughter of my master’s brother for his son” (Genesis 24:48 NKJV). The “love story” continues as Rebekah returns to Canaan with the servant and becomes Isaac’s wife. God’s guidance is available to us for the asking in all of life’s tasks.
Mellen Moore is a member of Macedonia Church; Petal, MS.
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In Christ...Alone!
I’m sorry I’m late.
This week’s was a good one, Wiley.
I’m sorry, too, that I missed last week’s Bible study.
I was out of town.
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