Genesis 24:33-67

The servant was successful in securing Rebekah and it’s a great love story.

It reveals that God’s intensely interested in the one we marry.

There are two institutions that God has given to the human family: one is marriage, and the other is human government (God permits man to rule himself today). These are two universal and very important institutions. When these are broken, a society will fall apart.

The home is the backbone of any society. God knew that and He established marriage, intending that it give strength and stability to society.

The same thing is true of human government. God intended governments to bring peace and justice and they’ll do it by obeying and submitting to God just the same as a successful marriage. When a marriage or a government defy the Lord and even reject His very existence they weaken and eventually dissolve and become a noose around society’s neck.

The point here is that God is interested in your love story, and it is wonderful when you bring God into it.

The twenty–fourth chapter of Genesis is one of the richest sections of the Word of God because it tells a love story that goes way back to the very beginning.

A very dramatic account is given here of the way that a bride was secured for Isaac, and again, a fantastic spiritual picture is also presented to us.

There are two things we should notice in this chapter. One is the leading of the Lord in all the details of the lives of those involved. It’s remarkable how, time and time again, God led.

Even in this early day, there were those in that society who were looking to God and following His leading. Some would have us believe that this took place in the Stone Age, when man was a caveman and pretty much uncivilized. Don’t believe a word of it! It’s nonsense!

Here’s a record that shows that man didn’t start out that way at all.

Now, if God could lead in the lives of these folk, He can lead in yours and my lives. The second thing to notice in this chapter is the straightforward manner in which Rebekah made her decision to go with the servant and become the bride of Isaac.

Again, these are tremendous pictures given for our learning.

Abraham’s servant has found Rebekah who’ll become Issac’s wife and now the servant has been asked inside the home by Laban, Rebekah’s brother. Beginning at Genesis 24 verse 33 we read, Food was set before him to eat, but he (the servant) said, “I will not eat until I have told about my errand.” And he (Laban) said, “Speak on.” 

Abraham’s servant says, “Before I can eat, I want to tell you my mission.”

This is also characteristic of the Holy Spirit who has come into the world to tell about Another.

That’s the primary business as far as God’s concerned. There’s other business that’s also important: the business of our government, the business of the news media, the great corporations, the education systems and the tremendous business of keeping this universe together every day. All this is important, But God’s not continuing to deal with this world because of these things. The thing that’s most important as far as God’s concerned is to get the gospel out to the people of the world. The Spirit of God is here to put this first. Likewise, the servant of Abraham won’t eat before he’s spoken of his mission, and so they tell him to speak on.

Verse 34,   So he (the servant) said, “I am Abraham’s servant.

Notice that his name is not given. It’s the same with the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit comes, He will not speak of Himself, but He will take the things of Mine and show them unto you that’s John 16:13-15.

By the way, what’s Holy Spirit’s name? He has no name. He doesn’t come to speak of Himself; He’s come to speak of Another, of Christ.

In the same way, this servant is not named but is simply called a servant of Abraham

Now we read verse 35 and we’re in Genesis 24,  The LORD has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. 

The servant tells about the father’s house.

And that’s something that the Spirit of God would have us know about. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. These are the three things that He talks about to the lost world.

He wants us to know that there’s a judgment coming upon a sinful earth and upon mankind and that men are lost today because they’re sinners.

Often you’ll hear that men are lost because they reject Christ. They’re not lost because they reject Christ; they’re lost because they’re sinners. Whether they’ve heard about Him or not, they’re lost sinners. That’s the condition of man today. The Holy Spirit has come to let us know that there’s a Savior who’s borne our judgment and who’s been made righteousness to us and that we can have a place in heaven and have eternal life. The Holy Spirit has come to speak of Another.

“And the LORD has blessed my master greatly.” say’s the servant And, friends, our Heavenly Father is rich today in cattle and in goods. The cattle on a thousand hills are His. How great He is!

To verse 36 now,  And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and to him he has given all that he has. 

In an infinitely greater way, the Lord Jesus is the Inheritor, and we are joint heirs with Him today.

The servant of Abraham has come to tell this family that he’s after a bride for his master’s son who’s going to inherit all things.

To verse 37 and we’re in Genesis chapter 24.  Now my master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell; 

The Holy Spirit is calling sinners, but sinners who are “… born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever” as stated in 1 Peter 1:23. These are the ones He’s calling out to. Yes, they’re sinners but they’ve been made righteous by faith, they’re children of God. “… If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature …” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

God is not taking “Canaanites” as a bride for His Son.

Now let’s look at Genesis 24:38-49 without a break. but you shall go to my father’s house and to my family, and take a wife for my son.’ 

And I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’ 

But 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 from my family and from my father’s house. 

You will be clear from this oath when you arrive among my family; for if they will not give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’ 

“And this day I came to the well and said, ‘O LORD God of my master Abraham, if You will now prosper the way in which I go, behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass that when the virgin comes out to draw water, and I say to her, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,” and she says to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,”—let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.’ 

“But before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah, coming 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.’ 

And she made haste and let her pitcher down from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels a drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels a drink also. 

Then I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the nose ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists. 

And I bowed my head and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the way of truth to take the daughter of my master’s brother for his son. 

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.” 

Laban is the spokesman for this family along with Rebekah’s father Bethuel. Listen to them in verses 50 and 51, Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing comes from the LORD; we cannot speak to you either bad or good. 

Here is Rebekah before you; take her and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as the LORD has spoken.” 

They say, “As far as we are concerned, this is of the Lord. You go ahead and take Rebekah.”

Verses 52 and 53,  And it came to pass, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, that he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth. 

Then the servant brought out jewellery of silver, jewellery of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother. 

This is the way the Holy Spirit gives to the children of God.

We have the earnest, which is the guarantee, of the Spirit when we come to Christ. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, we have access to God through Christ, we have joy, we have a hope, and we have the Holy Spirit say’s Romans 5:1-5. These are the wonderful things that have been given to the believer today.

Now to Genesis 24:54-55,  And he and the men who were with him ate and drank and stayed all night. Then they arose in the morning, and he (the servant) said, “Send me away to my master.” 

But her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman stay with us a few days, at least ten; after that she may go.” 

The next morning this servant says, “I want to be on my way.”

I’ll tell you, this is big business for him! And the brother says, “What’s your hurry? Give us at least ten days to tell her goodbye. After all, we’d better talk this over with her.” Old Laban’s already scheming. How can he milk this to the max? We’ll see much more of that as we go on. Rest assured he’s not in the least concerned about Rebekah.

Verses 56 and 57,   And he (the servant) said to them, “Do not hinder me, since the LORD has prospered my way; send me away so that I may go to my master.” 

So they said, “We will call the young woman and ask her personally.” 

We’ve come now to a very important part that’s really quite wonderful. Let’s not miss this.

Verse 58, Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.” 

Let’s take another look at this amazing picture.

It’s an oriental scene from way back in the dawn of humanity.

Although man could have been on this earth for many years by this time, we’re talking about approximately four thousand years ago.

This family is entertaining a guest, a stranger, and they’re entertaining him royally. They fed his camels and took care of the servants. They’ve set meat before him, a real feast, but he wanted to state his business.

So he tells his strange business. He’s come to get a bride for his master’s son, Isaac. I can see this servant as he brings out the gifts of gold and silver trinkets to give to this family.

Remember, Abraham was a very rich man. Then the servant begins to tell about the master. As he speaks, we can visualise that family circle around the fire, and in the background, standing just beyond the others, a very beautiful girl with deep brown eyes. She’s listening intently. She hears the servant tell about Abraham and his son Isaac. The servant tells about Isaac’s miraculous birth and about his life. Then he tells about the day that his father took him to the top of Mount Moriah to offer him as a sacrifice and how God spared him and would not take his life but gave him back to the father alive.

And finally, he tells how the father has sent him, a servant, to get a bride for Isaac but that bride must not come from among the Canaanites. They must get one who’s of like mind, one who has the same capacity for knowing the living God, one who’s born again of the Word of God. He’s looking for this kind of bride.

Rebekah’s been listening all this time, and now they turn to her.

No one’s paid much attention to her up to this point, but now all eyes turn to her, and they say, “Rebekah, what about it? Will you go with this man?” She doesn’t hesitate or beat around the bush. She says, “I will go.”

Have you ever noticed that the men whom the Lord Jesus called as His disciples made the same instant decision? They left their nets and followed Him.

Sure, they went back a couple of times, but there came a day when they broke loose from those nets, and they never went back to them. They followed Him; they went with Him.

The Holy Spirit is still calling today. He’s the One who’s taken the servant’s place.

You see, the Father and the Spirit sent the Son into the world to die for the world. And when the Son went back to heaven, He said He would send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.

The Spirit has now come into the world, and He’s calling out a bride. He’s saying, “Will you go? Here’s the One who died for you. He’ll save you. You have to be redeemed first. You have to come as a sinner to Him, take your rightful position, and accept Him as Savior.

When you do, you’ll be born again; you’ll become a child of God and be put into the church that’s going to be presented to Him someday as a bride.”

The question is: Will you go? Will you accept the invitation? Will you trust Christ as your Savior? This is not something about which you can beat around the bush with. You either do it or you don’t.

We need a clean cut decision like Rebekah! That’s the way He wants us, my friends. That’s the way He’ll accept us, and it’s the only way He’ll accept us.

The story doesn’t end there by any means. They start out now, and they’re going back to the Promised Land.

Now we come to verses 59 and 60,  So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men. 

And they blessed Rebekah and said to her: “Our sister, may you become The mother of thousands of ten thousands; And may your descendants possess The gates of those who hate them.” 

This prophecy has already been fulfilled.

We’re not talking here about unfulfilled, but fulfilled, prophecy.

Verse 61,  Then Rebekah and her maids arose, and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed. 

They had a long trip back.

We’re not told anything about this trip, but it can’t have been easy for them across that desert.

We can imagine them after a hard day in the hot desert. In the evening they stop at an oasis, the campfire is built, and they have their evening meal. As they’re sitting there before going to sleep, we can almost hear Rebekah say to this servant, “Tell me about Isaac again.”

The servant says, “What do you want me to tell you?” She says, “Tell me about the way he was born. Tell me about the way his father offered him on the altar.”

It was like that old song, “Tell me the old, old story of Jesus and His love!” And the servant says, “I told you that last night.” Rebekah says, “I know, but tell it again. Tell it again.”

And so the servant tells it again. It never grows old. That night Rebekah has that sweet sleep, dreaming of the time when she will meet this special one.

The next day they start out on the journey again, and the desert isn’t quite as hot, and the camel isn’t quite as rough. But it’s still a long way, and so they continue until they finally come in sight of the land of promise. They enter it and come down to Lahai–roi

Genesis 24:62,  Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he dwelt in the South. 

Some versions have this as the well Lahai Roi. This is way down in the country of Hebron and Beer–sheba.

Verse 63, One evening as he was walking and meditating in the fields, he looked up and saw the camels coming. 

Here we’re given a view of the coming of Christ for His bride.

Many people say, “Won’t it be wonderful when the Lord comes and we’ll be caught up with Him?”

There is another view, and that’s of those who’ll be with Him when He comes. Most of the church has already gone through the doorway of death, and they’ll be coming with Him when He comes.

Their bodies will be raised and spirit and body will be joined together. Those who are alive are to be caught up with the dead to meet the Lord in the air. Those who’ve gone before in death are going to see Him when He arises and calls His church to meet Him in the air. What a glorious picture it is!

Now to verses 64 and 65,  When Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac, she quickly dismounted from her camel. 

“Who is that man walking through the fields to meet us?” she asked the servant. And he replied, “It is my master.” So Rebekah covered her face with her veil. 

We as the bride of Christ will have to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ, the righteousness that He’s paid a phenomenal price for. He was delivered for our offences, and He was raised for our justification in order that we might have a righteousness that will enable us to stand before God.

Rebekah, seeing a man walking toward them, asks who he is. Throughout the long journey, she has come to know about him, but now she’s going to see him face to face.

This is similar to our position even now. As Peter expressed it in 1 Peter 1 verse 8, “…whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible…”.

When He does come, are we going to know Him? In an old song, there are these words: “I shall know Him, I shall know Him by the prints of the nails in His hands.” I think this is the way that we’re going to know Him when He comes. What a glorious and wonderful, picture we have before us!

To Verse 66,  Then the servant told Isaac everything he had done. 

The Holy Spirit has sealed us and will deliver us to Christ at the day of redemption. Believe me, it was certain that this servant of Abraham’s was going to get the bride to Isaac.

Now this is the union of Isaac and Rebekah in Verse 67,  And Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent, and she became his wife. He loved her deeply, and she was a special comfort to him after the death of his mother. 

“And he loved her deeply”. Christ loved the church so deeply He gave Himself for her. “And Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.” This reveals to us that Christ gains a great deal in our salvation. He wants us; He longs for us. Will we be faithful to Him today? May God be with you and keep you in His great unfathomable love until next time.