Note: When doing a study on a book in the Bible you use a lot of resources. The major influence for me on this study of Genesis is The Genesis Record by Henry Morris.
Genesis 24
If we study scripture we know of two institutions that God has given two the family. One we see from the beginning of Genesis but the other we don't find until the settling of the Israelites. What are these? Marriage and government.
Everlasting truth. If we will depend on God he will guide us in the right way. marriage or anything.
1. And Abraham was old, [and] well stricken in age: and the LORD
had blessed Abraham in all things.
2 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:
This was the way they made the oaths. Today we use hand shakes or even signed documents. The servant was probably the servant in ch 15 named Eliezer.
3 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:
Why do you think Abraham did not want Isaac to marry of the Canaanites? Of Noahs three sons in chapter 9 who was the father of the Canaanites?
Are we required to be separated in this world?
2 Corinthians 6:17* Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate,
saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will
receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and
take a wife unto my son Isaac.
5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will
not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring
thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my
son thither again.
His servant asks Abraham what if I can't find a wife, should I take Isaac? Abraham says a resounding, NO, he must not leave God's chosen land.
7 The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house,
and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and
that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land;
he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife
unto my son from thence.
8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then
thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son
thither again.
Here we see the true faith of Abraham. He tells this servant God will have the answer. It is God who promised that Isaac would carry my seed and only he knows how. Trust in the way of the Lord. But if God decides not to work in this way then be patient he must have another way and our oath is broken.
What I understand from this passage is that God does not work the way we want him to, always. We must be patient and follow him. We must want his will and his will only. We must pray for his will and his will only.
9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his
master, and sware to him concerning that matter.
10. And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master,
and departed; for all the goods of his master [were] in his hand:
and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
Faithful Stewardship
God requires us to be good stewards also. We are his servants he is our master. When we become Christians we make an other with him and seal it with obedience.
Luke 19:13-27
Luke 12:13-21
1Corinthians 4:2-AV Moreover it is required in stewards, that a
man be found faithful.
Romans 14:12-AV So then every one of us shall give account of
himself to God.
This was the custom. To give money and jewels to the family of the lady. It was a dowry. We see he took a good dowry.
11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a
well of water at the time of the evening, [even] the time that
women go out to draw [water].
It was the custom in Abrahams time that the women would draw the water from the well for the house and the animals. So what better place to find a wife for Isaac. Jesus also took advantage of the well in John 4 to tell a Smaritian of the Living Water. Not just water in a well but the living water one that would bring eternal life.
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.
What do you think this tells us of Eliezer? What do you think this tells us of Abraham?
What is the spiritual lesson to be learned here?
What do you have in your life that maybe you need to go to God with? Maybe a big decision?
13 Behold, I stand [here] by the well of water; and the
daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall
say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she
shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: [let the
same be] she [that] thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac;
and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my
master.
Why was it important that this damsel not only give him water but also give it to his camel?
What charactericise do we see? humble, industrious, caring, laborus, courteous disposition and chairable to strangers.
15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that,
behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah,
the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her
shoulder.
Did God grant Eliezers prayer that it was to be speedy? Yes. before he was done praying. God may not grant your prayer that fast but you will at least have peace in your life if you would turn it over to him.
How was Nahor kin to Abraham?
Genesis 11: 26 And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
16 And the damsel [was] very fair to look upon, a virgin,
neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and
filled her pitcher, and came up.
What are the qualities in our language. Fair to look upon-kept herself well, virgin-she had a desire for sexual relations only in marriage also clean, neither had any man known her-she was not betrohed
17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray
thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down
her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will
draw [water] for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and
ran again unto the well to draw [water], and drew for all his
camels.
Think about this now she had to water these camels in the trough with just this one pitcher. It probly took serval trips. He was a stranger to her but still she did this kind act. She showed her compassion.
21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether
the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
22 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;
23 And said, Whose daughter [art] thou? tell me, I pray thee:
is there room [in] thy father's house for us to lodge in?
24 And she said unto him, I [am] the daughter of Bethuel the
son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
25 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender
enough, and room to lodge in.
So she is not married. She is kind and courteous. Most importantly she if from the family of Abraham. This must be the woman to be the wife of Abraham. So what happens.
26 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.
27 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.
So many people forget to do this when God answers their prayers. When he delivers them they forget him until they need him again. Whenever he blesses them they forget and do not bless him. Why?
God will lead us if we are willing to be lead by him. We must be in his way willing to be led.
Psalms 37:23 The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he
delighteth in his way.
Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy
paths.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by
the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Remember ask questions probe and find questions be creative study!!!!!!
Assignment for 2/7/96 Who was Laban in scripture?
28 And the damsel ran, and told [them of] her mother's house
these things.
29. And Rebekah had a brother, and his name [was] Laban: and
Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.
Do you recognize this man Laban? We will see him later on in scripture do you know where? Where did Jacob get his wife from? What kind of man was he? Look at the next passage?
Genesis 29:5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And
they said, We know [him].
Jacob the son of Isaac looked for him in chapter 29. When he finds him he is deceived into taking a different wife. Laban is a deceiver and wanting to get the most for himself.
30 And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets
upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah
his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto
the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.
What does the passage say he noticed first? He was a lover of gold and the benefits of himself. What do you see first when you see a man sent from God? Who's benefit are you looking out for?
31 And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore
standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room
for the camels.
Laban welcomed the servant into their house. Rebekah probaly told her family of this servant and of his camels that were full. So he is welcomed. He welcomes him as a blessed of the Lord. Again notice this. In your Bibles LORD here is all caps do you remember what I said this means? The Hebrew word is Jehovah "the existing one" the name of the one true God.
How important it is that we recognize God by who he truly and really is.
32 And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels,
and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash
his feet, and the men's feet that [were] with him.
Here we see the hospitality of this family. Take care of all his camels and to provide water to wash their feet. Oh how important it is for we as Christians to set a good example. We need to be the leaders in hospitality.
33 And there was set [meat] before him to eat: but he said, I
will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak
on.
What do you think this says of the importance that this servant thought of the duty? There was excitement about his story. Why? probably mainly because the Lord was in it. What happens when we are touched by the Lord? We get excited and should want to tell others. The best way to witness is with excitement. With joy. With an exhuberant expression.
34 And he said, I [am] Abraham's servant.
35 And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is
become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and
silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels,
and asses.
36 And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she
was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.
First he tells him of the blessed riches of Abraham and how Isaac will inherit them. This is the account of his masters family.
Abraham- man blessed of God, a great man, rich with flocks herds silver and gold, lots of servants and camels and asses
Also a man with a wife who was barren but the Lord blessed her and she bare a son in her old age.
Now Isaac the heir to it all, a little to intice the family
37 And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a
wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land
I dwell:
38 But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred,
and take a wife unto my son.
Next he tells him of his job and charge from Abraham.
Always to be separate
39 And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not
follow me.
40 And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send
his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a
wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house:
Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister
for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
What do you think the purposes of angels are? Are they real? What is their purpose pg 268 in Full Life Study Bible.
41 Then shalt thou be clear from [this] my oath, when thou
comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee [one], thou shalt
be clear from my oath.
42 And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of
my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:
43 Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to
pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw [water], and I
say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher
to drink;
44 And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for
thy camels: [let] the same [be] the woman whom the LORD hath
appointed out for my master's son.
45 And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold,
Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went
down unto the well, and drew [water]: and I said unto her, Let me
drink, I pray thee.
46 And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her
[shoulder], and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink
also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.
47 And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter [art] thou? And
she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare
unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets
upon her hands.
48 And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and
blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in
the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his
son.
Here is the providence of the Lord. It truly must be divine. Let people know it is from God.
49 And now if ye 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.
50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing
proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.
51 Behold, Rebekah [is] before thee, take [her], and go, and
let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken.
If we could only talk like this. If it is from the Lord then it must be done. How many times in our lives do we try to make excuses when God is telling us not to. How many times when God tells us to do one thing do we find another way? If it is from the Lord and it is the Lords command then let us do them? The scripture is full of these. Sin, commitment to his church, tithes to his church, offering to his church, love for one another.
52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard
their words, he worshipped the LORD, [bowing himself] to the
earth.
Here he goes again. What beautiful language. He worshiped the Lord by bowing himself down. When do we worship the Lord? Why do we wait?
53 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.
54. And they did eat and drink, he and the men that [were] with
him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and
he said, Send me away unto my master.
55 And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide
with us [a few] days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.
56 And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath
prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.
The family wanted to keep Rebekah for a few days but the servant was ready to Go. What happens if we don't follow God at the moment we are required to? We may start to have doubts. We may find excuses. We must do it now.
57 And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her
mouth.
58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go
with this man? And she said, I will go.
Rebakah knew what was right and she did this she left. She trust in God and obeyed his command there was no need for delay.
59 And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and
Abraham's servant, and his men.
60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou [art] our
sister, be thou [the mother] of thousands of millions, and let
thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
Does this happen? Yes through her seed will Israel be blessed and come Jesus.
61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the
camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and
went his way.
62. And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he
dwelt in the south country.
63* And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the
eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the
camels [were] coming.
Isaac was a praying man. He here is mediating and praying in the field. Listening and talking to God. He was in the quietness alone. It will do us good sometimes if we would take a little time with God. In the still quietness. Oh how we need to talk but also listen to God.
64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she
lighted off the camel.
65 For she [had] said unto the servant, What man [is] this that
walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant [had] said, It
[is] my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.
66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.
67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took
Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was
comforted after his mother's [death].
Here the final union. A couple come together by God to comfort one another.
