# 16 2023 Dev. Gen.24:18.God Provides! Read all of chapter twenty four, first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this is also part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.
Gen.24:18 ‘Drink, my lord,’ she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.’”
Gen.24 Abraham, “well advanced in years”, is concerned to get a wife for Isaac, not from the people around him but from his extended family in Paddan Aram. His servant was not to take Isaac back to his homeland but bring the woman to Canaan. Abraham, was convinced that God would send His angel to prepare the way, thereby assuring his success.
Vs.1-9 is a conversation between Abraham and his senior servant, the one in charge of all of Abraham’s affairs. At that time an oath as important as what Abraham wanted was based on an intimate gesture by putting his hand under Abraham’s thigh. As far as Abraham was concerned, although not mentioned here, this was a covenantal affair concerning his son Isaac and the promise of God concerning the land.
Vs.10 -14 The servant knew where to meet the women of the place, the well. Think about the position of the well in many situation in both the Old and the New Testament. The manager of Abraham’s affairs also demonstrated the faith of Abraham, he prayed, but he laid out a fleece so to speak. If this and that would happen he would know that God answered his prayer. Not so different from many of us today.
Vs.15-21 Sure enough, before he finished his prayer God answered it. Most of us are looking for answers like that. Perhaps it was his prayer, he was concerned to fulfill his masters desire. What do we desire in our prayers? God’s answer was right infront of him, yet, he took some time to ponder what he was seeing. It must have seemed unbelievable to him at first glance, but he wanted to be sure.
Vs.22-27 He must have been very sure, he gave her a fortune of gold before he asked her name. As it turned out Rebecca is Abraham’s brother’s grand daughter. She invites him to her house but before he goes he takes time to worship Abraham’s God and obviously his God in thankfulness for leading him. This is a fantastic and edifying story that has much to teach us. Amen.
Vs.28-33 “The young woman ran and told her mother’s household” When Laban, her bother, saw the gold he was ready to execute a scam like the schemer he turned out to be to Jacob, his nephew. But Eleazar insisted on following the culture. To eat with someone at that time was the height of acceptance by both parties. He would not eat until he stated his business, so that there would be no misunderstanding.
Vs.34-54 The servant tells his story. Laban and Bethuel answered, ‘this is from the Lord… Here is Rebecca; take her and go…’” Only then, after many more gifts, were that ready to eat together. But in the morning they would not let here go.
Vs.55-61 Laban and Bethuel had given their answer according to the culture, Rebecca was not consulted. They gave a different answer in the morning, “let’s call the young woman and ask her about it.’” That was an unusual request. Eleazar agreed because he had discussed this possibility with Abraham and had agreed on the outcome. But God intervened, Rebecca is the upstanding person here, submitting to what was obviously God’s will. To their credit they blessed Rebecca and they departed.
Vs.61-66 Isaac meets them, they marry and Isaac is comforted after his mother’s death. God is good and He provides for His people.
© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved.
Heavenhigh 