An Unnamed Servant
Genesis 24 is the longest chapter in the book. It's about a wife for Isaac and how Abraham's servant goes about finding the woman God would give to his master's son. What I find striking is the incredible servant heart of this nameless man who goes to great lengths and dedicates his quest in the Lord to find the right woman God would have.
He worked diligently. He loaded ten camels and traveled far to seek out the right woman.
He prayed specifically. He offered God the opportunity here to reject his prayer. The prayer made was for an astounding act on Rebekah's part to water 10 camels. Some ask for a sign in their prayers but they ask for simple things that could be coincidence. He asked for something only God could provide.
Genesis 24:14 (ESV) Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.”
He was devoted to Abraham's interests. When he finds the woman and learns who she is, he praises God for blessing Abraham. What loyalty.
Genesis 24:27 (ESV) and said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the LORD has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen.”
Genesis 24:56 (ESV) But he said to them, “Do not delay me, since the Lord has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.”
We know this whole chapter is an illustration of the Gospel. God the Father sends His servants (we who are filled with the Holy Spirit) to go and call his bride (the Church) for His Son, Jesus. What we find in this chapter is a clarion mission prerogative for servants. It's not our mission, it's God's. It's not about us, it's about Jesus. We need to be diligent to work and pray for the sake of God's kingdom, we should be generous and kind, and totally devoted to the purposes of God.
There's another detail to this story. It's the blessing Rebekah's family bestow on her before she leaves:
Genesis 24:60 (ESV) And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become thousands of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him!”
It's the same blessing God pronounced on Abraham after he did not withhold his son from God:
Genesis 22:17 (ESV) I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies,
Possessing the gates refers to taking control of a city in it's judicial and governmental decisions. Isn't it amazing that Jesus (the True Son) would speak of building His Church (the True Bride) and the gates of Hell (our enemy) shall not prevail against it! Where did He speak that? In Caesarea Philippi, a city named for Caesar and Herod's son Philip. Today both are long dead, their kingdoms far gone and the city lies in ruins. But the Church lives on and blossoms in growth.
The Lord and His Church are an unstoppable combination. But it began with servanthood, exemplified here in Genesis 24. No wonder the Lord calls us to serve and give our lives for each other. It's what helped bring Isaac and Rebekah together. So will it be for the King and His Kingdom.
He worked diligently. He loaded ten camels and traveled far to seek out the right woman.
He prayed specifically. He offered God the opportunity here to reject his prayer. The prayer made was for an astounding act on Rebekah's part to water 10 camels. Some ask for a sign in their prayers but they ask for simple things that could be coincidence. He asked for something only God could provide.
Genesis 24:14 (ESV) Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.”
Genesis 24:27 (ESV) and said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the LORD has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen.”
He was generous in the name of Abraham:
Genesis 24:53 (ESV) And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments.
He was resolutely devoted to the mission of his Master:
Genesis 24:56 (ESV) But he said to them, “Do not delay me, since the Lord has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.”
We know this whole chapter is an illustration of the Gospel. God the Father sends His servants (we who are filled with the Holy Spirit) to go and call his bride (the Church) for His Son, Jesus. What we find in this chapter is a clarion mission prerogative for servants. It's not our mission, it's God's. It's not about us, it's about Jesus. We need to be diligent to work and pray for the sake of God's kingdom, we should be generous and kind, and totally devoted to the purposes of God.
There's another detail to this story. It's the blessing Rebekah's family bestow on her before she leaves:
Genesis 24:60 (ESV) And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become thousands of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him!”
It's the same blessing God pronounced on Abraham after he did not withhold his son from God:
Genesis 22:17 (ESV) I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies,
Possessing the gates refers to taking control of a city in it's judicial and governmental decisions. Isn't it amazing that Jesus (the True Son) would speak of building His Church (the True Bride) and the gates of Hell (our enemy) shall not prevail against it! Where did He speak that? In Caesarea Philippi, a city named for Caesar and Herod's son Philip. Today both are long dead, their kingdoms far gone and the city lies in ruins. But the Church lives on and blossoms in growth.
The Lord and His Church are an unstoppable combination. But it began with servanthood, exemplified here in Genesis 24. No wonder the Lord calls us to serve and give our lives for each other. It's what helped bring Isaac and Rebekah together. So will it be for the King and His Kingdom.
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