Genesis 24-25:11

Genesis 24-25.11


Abraham made an oath with his servant to go find a wife for his son, Isaac! 
God blessed Abraham. I sense that Abraham feared the kind of woman Isaac would choose, which may be the reason Isaac was not allowed to go with the servant. Whatever the reasons, Isaac was not allowed to go with the servant in any circumstance even if the servant found a suitable girl, but she did not come with him…Abraham knew what it meant to choose a future spouse. The wife chosen for Isaac would need to be someone that would also follow God wholly. This would effect the entire nation of Israel. It would affect future generations. It would affect Isaac tremendously! Choosing a spouse can either draw us closer to the Lord or far from Him. Choosing a spouse is sacred, and of great importance!

PRAYER was a big part of this encounter as the servant waits for the woman God has chosen for Isaac (see Gen 24:12-14). How does God choose to work? Exactly the way that the servant asked. God hears our requests, but often they are not laid out like so. God's ways are much greater than our own. He reveals His will in different ways, not always in the way we might have liked! This is why discernment is so important. It is important to know and experience God, so we may know what He may be calling us to do.
 
The woman who responded by giving him a drink and feeding his camels (his request to the Lord has been for this sign), and she is given gold bracelets and a gold ring. Being given a gold ring has great significance also in the Prodigal Son. Signifies being an heir in a sense to me... There is a level of inheritance attached to it. Notice verse 30: Laban's (her brother) reaction! As soon as Laban saw the bracelets and gold ring, it led him to action. Laban may have hoped to gain from this man's riches, but the point is God worked through them all. A wife was to be given to Isaac, the son of Abraham.


The servant seeks discernment in knowing if it is truly from God, for the Scripture says: "Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful." (verse 21) After putting the gold jewelry on the girl, he bowed his head and worshiped the Lord (verse 26). He knew God had acted, and provided for Abraham and Isaac. He could go back to his master, Abraham, with a smile knowing God has blessed him! God had led the servant to the right way!


When coming into their house with food ready for them to eat, the servant knew: MUCH was more important than food. In this case, sharing what his assignment was and how God acted was much more important than eating. You can imagine that the man and those with him were very hungry, being they were thirsting as well from their long journey. Still, food was secondary. They had a purpose.

Rebekah's characteristics: willing, compassionate, strong (carrying water jugs), and submissive. She definitely cares for her family, and does what is asked. She seeks out ways to work, and benefit others. She would go do the chores lovingly, and it is shown she did not have a hatred for it: for she graciously went the extra mile. She did not just give the servant a drink, but she got enough water for all 10 camels that he brought with him. In addition, she would of given drink to the men that accompanied the head servant who had the task of finding a suitable wife for Isaac.


I like this passage, because it gives a good reminder of what is important in waiting for a spouse: prayer, discernment, others involved in the process, and waiting isn't idle waiting, but developing our character more--becoming more Christ-centered and Christ-like! Growing in Him is thoroughly part of the process of waiting. Serving others is totally part of the process. Loving Him more as we wait to see what He will do in our lives, as we give ourselves to Him!

In the passage of 25:1-11:
1. Abraham remarries (Keturah), and she gives birth to 6 children.
2. Abraham gave all he had to Isaac. He only gave gifts to the sons of his concubines.
3. He sent his other children away from Isaac.