A. INTRODUCTION: GENESIS 24:1-67
1. Promise fulfilled. This series began with God’s call to Abraham to separate himself from idolatry in Ur of the Chaldees, and God’s promise that he would have many children and a Deliverer would come through him. Today, the promise is completed in a perfect Bride to fulfill God’s promise.
2. Advanced age. "Abraham was old and well stricken in age" (24:1). Ba bayaming doesn’t mean decay or poor health, but advanced age. We think of the next generation when we get old.
3. Reward. God had increased Abraham’s wealth. "And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things" (24:1). This is not "not name it - claim it" wealth (cause). This is the reward of walking with God and doing right things in the right way (results).
4. Both names. "Swear by the Lord; the God of heaven" (24:3). In his pilgrimage, Abraham had come to know God as Elohim, "the strong might name" and LORD Jehovah "The covenant keeping name."
5. Restrictions. (a) The servant couldn’t take Isaac to live in Mesopotamia (idols) because God had called Abraham away from the influence of idolatry. (b) The servant couldn’t get a wife from the Canaanites (sexual sins), Abraham lived in a land separated from them.
6. Providence. God led the servant to the right place, to make the right prayer, at the right time with the right circumstance to get the right girl. "All things work together for good" (Rom. 8:28).
7. The story is a type. "An earthly picture with a heavenly meaning. Abraham, God the Father sent Eliezer, Holy Spirit to get Rebekah as a bride, the church for his only begotten son Isaac, Christ. She must leave her attachment to her brother Laban’s home, the world to go to Isaac.
B. PRACTICAL TAKE AWAYS
1. Abraham’s last recorded words (24:7-8) give a strong affirmation of faith.
a. Belief in God. "The Lord God of heaven."
b. Belief in God’s call. "The Lord God . . . spoke unto me."
c. Belief in God’s promise. "Swear unto me . . . I will give this land."
d. Belief in God’s providence. "Shall send his angel before thee.
e. Belief in God’s provision. "Thou shalt take a wife."
2. Took samples of Abraham’s wealth. "Ten camels . . . for all the goods of his master were in his hands" (24:10). Wechal mubh ’adonayw beyado means. "Took all sorts of choice gifts from his master’s land.
ABRAHAM, A TYPE OF THE FATHER
1. Both rich.
2. Both have supernaturally born sons.
3. Both give all to the son.
4. Both offered their son on Moriah.
3. The servant asked for divine providence. "This is my request, I will ask one of the damsels for a drink, if she says, ’Yes, certainly, and I will water your camels too!’ let her be the one you have appointed as Isaac’s wife" (24:14 NLT).
4. The qualities of a bride.
a. Attractive. "Very fair to look upon" (24:16).
b. Friendly. "She said, drink my Lord" (24:18).
c. Gracious. "She gave him drink" (24:18).
d. Hard worker. "I will draw water for thy camel until they have done drinking" (24:19).
e. Hospitable. "We have straw . . . provider . . . room" (24:25).
f. Respectful. "She dismounted quickly" (24:64).
g. Modest. "She took a veil and covered herself" (24:65).
REBEKAH, A TYPE OF THE CHURCH
1. Both are Gentile brides.
2. Both are called by the servant.
3. Both received gifts from the servant.
4. Both had to decide to leave and go.
5. Laban/world motivated by greed. "When he saw" (24:30).
6. Laban/world tries to keep us from going to Christ. "Let the damsel abide a few days, at the least ten" (24:55). An attempt to get more gifts from the servant. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If a man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (I John 2:15).
LABAN, A TYPE OF THE WORLD
1. A bride is called from both.
2. Both try to detain bride.
3. Both are concerned with material not spiritual.
4. The bride must leave both to go to husband.
7. Gratitude is the least remembered of all virtues, "I praise the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, because he had led me along the right path to find a wife" (24:48 NLT).
8. Call for a decision. After you have prayed, and presented the facts, ask for a decision. "When you tell me, then I’ll know what my next step should be, whether to move this way or that" (24:49).
THE SERVANT, AS A TYPE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. Both are sent.
2. Both give gifts to the bride.
3. Both teach about the son.
4. Both call the bride to go to the husband.
9. Meeting God. Isaac had a habit of talking with God. "Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide" (24:63). See book by Elmer Towns on how to meditate on God, i.e., Biblical Meditation for Spiritual Breakthrough. ( To order call 1-804-832-2022).
10. Leave all to gain all. "Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac" (25:5). Rebekah had to give up home, family and friends to gain all the riches of Isaac.
ISAAC, AS A TYPE OF CHRIST.
1. Both had a supernatural birth.
2. Both were the objects of their father’s love.
3. Both were rich in their inheritance.
4. Both were Hebrews married to Gentile brides.
*****
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.eduand tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
For Dr. Towns’ home page for books, go to www.elmertowns.com.
