2024.06.23. Sermon Notes. A Bride for the Son. Parallels of The Servant and the Father’s Plan.
William Akehurst, HSWC
BIG IDEA: The account of Abraham and Isaac, continues. From the substitute sacrifice at Mount Moriah, to the Father’s Plan to find his son Isaac, a wife. Both accounts give us insight on what is to come when we see the significance and parallel of the Servant and the Father’s Plan unfold for all of mankind.
Scriptures: Genesis 22:20-24, Genesis 23:1-20, Genesis 24:1-67, Genesis 13:14-15, Genesis 15:2, Matthew 22:1-2, John 14:16, John 16:14, John 4:32-34, Romans 8:26, Colossians 1:16-18, John 15:26, Hebrews 1:14, John 14:26, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, John 3:16-18
Genesis 22:20-24 (NKJV) The Family of Nahor
20 Now it came to pass after these things that it was told Abraham, saying, “Indeed Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor: 21 Huz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, 22 Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.” 23 And Bethuel begot Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother. 24 His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah, Gaham, Thahash, and Maachah.
ABRAHAM HASN’T SEEN HIS BROTHER IN 60 YEARS. GETS WORD FROM HIS HOME IN UR OF HARAM.
Genesis 23:1-20 Sarah’s Death and Burial
1 Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah.
SARAH – THE ONLY WOMAN OF THE BIBLE WHOSE AGE IS GIVEN AT HER DEATH.
2 So Sarah died in Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.
ABRAHAM WASN’T WITH SARAH WHEN SHE DIED, HE WAS AWAY FROM HEBRON IN BEERSHEBA. WHEN HE RETURNED AND HEARD, ABRAHAM MOURNED. THE FIRST REFERENCE OF MOURNING IN THE BIBLE. FIRST TIME REFERENCED WHEN A MAN WEPT.
ISAAC BORN WHEN SHE WAS 90. ISAAC WAS 37 WHEN SARAH DIED.
3 Then Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, 4 “I am a foreigner and a visitor among you. Give me property for a burial place among you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.”
ABRAHAM DIDN’T OWN ANY LAND, HE WAS A STRANGER IN THE LAND THAT HE WAS PROMISED AS A POSSESSION FOR HIS GENERATIONS. HE HAD NO INTEREST IN GOING BACK TO HIS HOME LAND. HE WANTED TO STAY IN THE LAND OF PROMISE.
Genesis 13:14-15 14 And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; 15 for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.
5 And the sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, 6 “Hear us, my lord: You are a mighty prince among us; bury your dead in the choicest of our burial places. None of us will withhold from you his burial place, that you may bury your dead.”
SONS OF HETH. THE NAME HETH MEANS TERROR, THEREFORE “SONS OF TERROR”.
LOCATED IN HEBRON.
THEY OFFERED ONE OF THEIR BURIAL PLACES. DOING SO WOULD HAVE BOUND THEM TOGETHER WITH ABRAHAM FOREVER.
7 Then Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the people of the land, the sons of Heth.
SHOWING RESPECT, ABRAHAM RESPONDS.
8 And he spoke with them, saying, “If it is your wish that I bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and meet with Ephron the son of Zohar for me, 9 that he may give me the cave of Machpelah which he has, which is at the end of his field. Let him give it to me at the full price, as property for a burial place among you.”
NO INTEREST IN SHARING THE BURIAL PLACE WITH THESE SONS OF TERROR.
INSTEAD, TO EPHRON, WHOM ABRAHAM KNEW, TO PURCHASE FROM HIM.
10 Now Ephron dwelt among the sons of Heth; and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the presence of the sons of Heth, all who entered at the gate of his city, saying, 11 “No, my lord, hear me: I give you the field and the cave that is in it; I give it to you in the presence of the sons of my people. I give it to you. Bury your dead!”
THEY MET AT THE GATE, WHERE OFFICIAL BUSINESS WAS CONDUCTED.
EPHRON, INITIALLY SAID, HE WOULD GIVE IT TO ABRAHAM.
12 Then Abraham bowed himself down before the people of the land; 13 and he spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, saying, “If you will give it, please hear me. I will give you money for the field; take it from me and I will bury my dead there.”
ABRAHAM, HUMBLY AND RESPECTFULLY REFUSES, HE DIDN’T WANT TO BE INDEBTED TO EPHRON
14 And Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, 15 “My lord, listen to me; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver. What is that between you and me? So bury your dead.”
EPHRON STARTS THE NEGOTIATIONS. THE PRICE WAS 10X WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. EPHRON STARTED HIGH.
16 And Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out the silver for Ephron which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, currency of the merchants.
ABRAHAM LISTENED AND PAID OUT THE HIGH PRICE. HE OWNED IT FREE AND CLEAR.
17 So the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field and the cave which was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, which were within all the surrounding borders, were deeded 18 to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city.
THIS PROPERTY WAS DEEDED AND TITLED TO ABRAHAM AND IS STILL THERE TODAY. IT WAS THE ONLY PIECE OF LAND THAT ABRAHAM OFFICIALLY OWNED IN THE PROMISED LAND IN HIS LIFETIME. A CAVE IN A FIELD.
19 And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 20 So the field and the cave that is in it were deeded to Abraham by the sons of Heth as property for a burial place.
NOTICE. ISAAC IS ABSENT FROM THE PICTURE HERE.
SARAH AND HER HUSBAND ABRAHAM WERE NOT TOGETHER. THEY WERE NOT IN A LIVING RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER AT THIS TIME.
Genesis 24:1-67 A Bride for Isaac
1 Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
ABRAHAM 140 YEARS OLD. WOULD LIVE ANOTHER 35 YEARS.
ISAAC WAS 40. 3 YEARS HAD PASSED SINCE SARAH DIED.
2 So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh, 3 and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; 4 but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”
HIS OLDEST SERVANT, UNNAMED.
Genesis 15:2 2 But Abram said, “Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”
ELIEZER OF DAMASCUS, THE OLDEST OF ABRAHAM’S SERVANTS WHO WOULD BE HEIR AS ABRAHAM AND SARAH HAD NO CHILDREN.
THE SERVANTS MISSION, TO TRAVEL TO ABRAHAMS HOME COUNTRY TO FIND A WIFE FOR ISAAC.
THIS IS A STORY OF A FATHER ARRANGING THE MARRIAGE OF HIS SON.
PARALLEL WITH MATTHEW 22:2
Matthew 22:1-2 1 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son,
JESUS SAID, THE FATHER WILL SEND THE HELPER. THE HOLY SPIRIT.
THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS BEEN SENT INTO THE WORLD TO FIND A BRIDE FOR THE SON, THE BRIDEGROOM.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—
PARALLEL - ELIEZER’S NAME MEANS “GOD IS MY HELP”.
HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD’S APPOINTED HELPER.
5 And the servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?”
WHAT HAPPENS IS SHE DOESN’T WANT TO COME BACK WITH ME?
6 But Abraham said to him, “Beware that you do not take my son back there.
WHATEVER HAPPENS, DO NOT TAKE ISAAC BACK TO MY LAND OF ORIGIN. THIS IS WHERE HE BELONGS. THIS LANDS IS THE LAND PROMISED FOR POSSESSION.
7 The LORD God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, To your descendants I give this land,’ He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.
THE LORD WILL SEND HIS ANGEL BEFORE YOU.
Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
8 And if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be released from this oath; only do not take my son back there.”
ISAAC SIMPLY HAD TO WAIT AT HOME, WHILE THE SERVANT WENT OUT, HIS MISSION TO TAKE A WIFE FOR ISAAC, IF THE BRIDE WAS WILLING.
John 16:14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
THE HOLY SPIRIT’S WORK IS TO POINT TO JESUS.
“HE WILL SEND HIS ANGEL BEFORE YOU”
9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, for all his master’s goods were in his hand. And he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.
HE WENT PREPARED TO BRING HER BACK. 10 CAMELS TO CARRY GIFTS, AND TO BRING HOME THE BRIDE AND HER BELONGINGS. IT WAS ABOUT A 450-500 MILE TRIP.
11 And he made his camels kneel down outside the city by a well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water. 12 Then he said, “O LORD God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
WOMEN’S WORK WAS TO DRAW WATER FROM THE WELL AND CARRY IT HOME.
14 Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”
THE SERVANT WAS PRAYING FOR ISAAC’S WIFE TO COME.
PARALLEL: JUST AS HOLY SPIRIT PRAYS ON OUR BEHALF.
Romans 8:26-27 6 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
15 And it happened, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. 16 Now the young woman was very beautiful to behold, a virgin; no man had known her. And she went down to the well, filled her pitcher, and came up.
BEFORE HE HAD FINISHED SPEAKING…
THE PRAYER WAS ANSWERED EVEN BEFORE THE “AMEN.”
17 And the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me drink a little water from your pitcher.”
18 So she said, “Drink, my lord.” Then she quickly let her pitcher down to her hand, and gave him a drink. 19 And when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” 20 Then she quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough, ran back to the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
SHE RESPONDED TO THE INITIATION OF THE SERVANT. SERVANT SAYS, GIVE ME A DRINK.
SHE GIVES A DRINK AND ALSO THE CAMEL. A CAMEL CAN DRINK 30 GALLONS OF WATER IN 10 MINUTES. 30 GALLONS X 10 CAMELS. 300 GALLONS OF WATER DRAWN FOR THE CAMELS.
SHE DID IT WITHOUT REWARD.
21 And the man, wondering at her, remained silent so as to know whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
SERVANT PONDERS…I WONDER IF THIS IS HER?
SHE FULFILLED THE SERVANT’S PRAYER, BUT SHE STILL HAD TO BE WILLING.
22 So it was, when the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a golden nose ring weighing half a shekel, and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels of gold, 23 and said, “Whose daughter are you? Tell me, please, is there room in your father’s house for us to lodge?”
24 So she said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, Milcah’s son, whom she bore to Nahor.”
HE'S KIND TO HER, GIVING GIFTS, EVIDENCE OF WEALTH, AND FINDS OUT SHE’S IN THE FAMILY.
25 Moreover she said to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge.”
26 Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the LORD. 27 And he said, “Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren.”
WE DISCOVER GOD’S WILL, AS WE RESPOND TO HIS LEADING. AS HE LEADS, WE FOLLOW HIM, AND HE REVEALS MORE AS WE GO. ITS FROM FAITH TO FAITH.
IF YOUR NOT WALKING, YOU CAN’T BE LED. YOU HAVE TO BE MOVING TO BE LED.
LORD GOD, IS THERE SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE SHOWING ME LORD, THAT I’M NOT RESPONDING TO?
28 So the young woman ran and told her mother’s household these things.
29 Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban, and Laban ran out to the man by the well. 30 So it came to pass, when he saw the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and when he heard the words of his sister Rebekah, saying, “Thus the man spoke to me,” that he went to the man. And there he stood by the camels at the well. 31 And he said, “Come in, O blessed of the LORD! Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels.”
REBEKAH RUNS BACK ENTHUSIASTICALLY. LABAN WAS EXCITED BECAUSE HE SAW THE GIFTS AND WEALTH, MONEY. LABAN’S CHARACTER.
32 Then the man came to the house. And he unloaded the camels, and provided straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33 Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told about my errand.”
And he said, “Speak on.”
PARALLEL: SERVANT’S WORK IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN FOOD.
JESUS, “MY FOOD IS TO DO THE WILL OF THE ONE WHO SENT ME”.
John 4:32,34 32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.”
34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
34 So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35 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.
SERVANT REVEALS THE FATHER ABRAHAM AND HIS WEALTH
36 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.
PARALLEL: ABRAHAM GAVE EVERYTHING TO THE PROMISED SON.
JUST AS GOD THE FATHER GIVES EVERYTHING TO THE SON, JESUS CHRIST.
Colossians 1:16-18
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
John 15:26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
PARALLEL:
THE SERVANT TESTIFIES OF ISAAC.
HOLY SPIRIT TESTIFIES OF JESUS.
37 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; 38 but you shall go to my father’s house and to my family, and take a wife for my son.’
39 And I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’ 40 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.
THE LORD WILL SEND HIS ANGEL WITH YOU TO PROSPER YOUR WAY.
Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
41 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.’
42 “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, 43 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,” 44 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.’
45 “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.’
SPEAKING IN MY HEART. PRAYER IN MY HEART. GOD CAN HEAR AND RESPOND TO YOU, EVEN WHEN YOU PRAY IN YOUR HEART.
GOD NOT ONLY HEARD, BUT ANSWERED BEFORE THE SERVANT FINISHED PRAYING.
GOD KNOWS YOUR NEEDS. HE SIMPLY DESIRES FOR US TO ASK, SO THAT HE CAN SHOW HIS LOVE, GRACE AND MERCY TO US.
46 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. 47 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. 48 And I bowed my head and worshiped 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.
THE SERVANT REPEATS THE ENTIRE STORY FROM START TO FINISH OF HIS ENCOUNTER LEADING UP TO MEETING REBEKAH. THIS HAD TO BE PUT INTO THEIR UNDERSTANDING SO THAT THEY WOULD UNDERSTAND WHEN HE WOULD CALL FOR A RESPONSE.
JESUS SAID…
John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
THE HOLY SPIRIT’S MINISTRY TO US, IS OFTEN REPEATING THINGS THAT HE HAS ALREADY SAID. HE REPEATS AND REMINDS US OF WHAT HE HAS SAID.
ALL WAS SAID TO BRING THEM TO A DECISION.
49 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.”
PARALLEL: JUST AS THE SERVANT REVEALED ISAAC’S FATHER ABRAHAM’S PLAN…
THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALS THE GOD THE FATHER’S PLAN, EXPLAINS THE INTENTION OF THE FATHER, BUT IT IS UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL TO DECIDE. THERE IS DEFINITELY A DECISION THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN THE LORD’S WORK.
50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing comes from the LORD; we cannot speak to you either bad or good. 51 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 UNDERSTOOD THE REQUEST, IT WAS A CLEAR CHOICE, NOT AN EASY CHOICE.
REBEKAH WAS BEING ASKED TO GO TO A LAND WHERE SHE HAD NEVER VISITED, TO A MAN SHE HAD NEVER MET, AND NEVER TO RETURN.
52 And it came to pass, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, that he worshiped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth. 53 Then the servant brought out jewelry of silver, jewelry of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother.
PARALLEL: PRECIOUS GIFTS WERE GIVEN BY THE SERVANT ON BEHALF OF ABRAHAM AND ISAAC.
THE PRECIOUS GIFTS OF HOLY SPIRIT, ARE GIVEN ON BEHALF OF THE FATHER AND THE SON.
54 And he and the men who were with him ate and drank and stayed all night. Then they arose in the morning, and he said, “Send me away to my master.”
55 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.”
HESITATION!
THE NIGHT BEFORE, THEY SAID, OK. THE NEXT DAY THEY HESITATED.
ULTIMATELY, IT WAS REBEKAH’S DECISION.
56 And he 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.”
57 So they said, “We will call the young woman and ask her personally.” 58 Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?”
And she said, “I will go.”
59 So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men.
60 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.”
61 Then Rebekah and her maids arose, and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.
REBEKAH BELIEVED A SERVANT SHE DIDN’T KNOW,
TO LEAVE TO GO TO A PLACE SHE NEVER HAD BEEN,
TO DEPART FROM HER COMFORT ZONE TO NEVER RETURN,
TO MEET A MAN SHE HAD NEVER MET.
IT TOOK GREAT FAITH. REBEKAH IS AN EXAMPLE OF FAITH.
AS THE INVITATION IS GIVEN, IT IS UP TO YOU TO ACCEPT IT, AND IT TAKES FAITH TO DO SO.
THE INVITATION WILL TAKE YOU FROM WHERE YOU ARE, TO A PROMISED DESTINATION, AND THE THINGS FROM BEFORE MUST BE PUT BEHIND YOU. IT’S A JOURNEY OF FAITH.
ARE YOU CLOSER TO THE LORD NOW, THAN YOU WERE BEFORE?
OR WERE YOU CLOSER TO THE LORD THEN, THAN YOU ARE NOW? IF SO, REPENT AND TURN BACK TO THE LORD.
62 Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he dwelt in the South.
ISAAC WAS LIVING IN THE SOUTH, NEAR BEER LAHAI ROI, THE WELL OF “THE GOD WHO SEES.“ THE SAME WELL WHERE HAGAR THOUGHT THAT HER SON ISHMAEL WOULD DIE, BUT GOD…”THE GOD WHO SEES” PROVIDED A WELL FOR MOTHER AND CHILD, TO LIVE AND NOT DIE.
63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming.
ISAAC WENT OUT TO MEDITATE IN THE FIELD.
DO YOU HAVE A PLACE OF REFUGE WITH THE LORD?
WHERE IS YOUR HIDING PLACE? YOUR PRAYER CLOSET?
REMEMBER, EVEN JESUS WENT OFF TO HIMSELF TO PRAY.
64 Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel; 65 for she had said to the servant, “Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?”
The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took a veil and covered herself.
SHE COVERED HERSELF IN MODESTY AND RESPECT.
AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE LORD, WE SENSE OUR UNWORTHINESS.
WHEN WE GET TO HEAVEN AND SENSE GOD’S HOLINESS, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STAND.
66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
THE GROOMSMAN TAKES THE BRIDE FOR HIS WIFE, AND HE LOVED HER.
PARALLELS: JUST AS THE SERVANT WAS ON THE FATHER’S MISSION, ASKING REBEKAH TO BE THE BRIDE FOR ISAAC.
HOLY SPIRIT HAS ASKED YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL TO BELIEVE IN A PERSON YOU’VE NEVER MET.
TO GO TO A PLACE THAT YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN,
TO BE JOINED TO SOMEONE YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN,
BUT THE RICHES OF THE MASTER. THE RICHES OF ETERNAL LIFE, HIS REDEMPTIVE LOVE, HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS CLEANSING AND HIS PEACE, HOPE AND FULLNESS OF JOY ARE WAITING FOR YOU IN HEAVEN.
REALIZE, THE CHURCH IS GOD THE FATHER’S GIFT TO THE SON.
HE SENT THE HELPER, THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BRING THIS GIFT TO HIS SON.
WHO LOVES YOU, WHO HAS CLEANSED YOU. WHO HAS MADE YOU ACCEPTABLE.
HE BROUGHT YOU INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS OWN SELF,
AND HE REJOICES OVER YOU AS A BRIDEGROOM REJOICES OVER HIS BRIDE.
HAVE YOU RESPONDED TO THE HOLY SPIRIT’S CALL?
MY MASTER IS WEALTHY AND HAS GIVEN HIS SON EVERYTHING.
MY MASTER IS GOD ALMIGHTY.
AND HIS SON IS JESUS CHRIST
AND THE FATHER HAS GIVEN HIM EVERYTHING, ALL AUTHORITY AND ALL POWER, THE FORGIVENESS THAT YOU NEED, AND THE HOME IN HEAVEN. HE HAS BEEN GIVEN IT ALL.
WILL YOU COME WITH ME AND FOLLOW HIM?
THAT’S THE GOSPEL MESSAGE,
TO TRUST IN THE ONE THAT YOU CANNOT SEE.
THE ONE THAT DIED FOR YOU AND ROSE AGAIN. THE ONE IN WHOM YOU ARE TO PUT YOUR FAITH, HOPE AND TRUST IN.
AND HE IS PREPARING A PLACE FOR YOU, IN HIS FATHER’S HOUSE.
IF YOU TRUST HIM, HE WILL TAKE YOU THERE.
WHEN YOU GET THERE, YOU WILL REALIZE YOU ARE NOT WORTHY,
BUT THE SON SAYS, I LOVE YOU, AS YOU ARE, IN HIM.
AND WE WILL CELEBRATE TOGETHER, THE BRIDE OF CHRIST, THE CHURCH, WITH THE BRIDEGROOM, AT THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB.
THE INVITATION IS NOW.
WILL YOU RECEIVE IT AND BELIEVE?
John 3:16-18
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Let’s Pray
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing!
Bill
