(Genesis 24:10-14 RSV), Now here is a man expecting God to work. She said, 'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him.' old, and my bride-to-be is 18. "Why are you standing out here? So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. That is the obvious thing to do. But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there." Little of her reaction is recorded here; she has sort of a secondary part. 64 Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She said, "Drink, my lord"; and she quickly let down her jar upon her hand, and gave him a drink. I don't know. 16 The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. ', 39 "Then I asked my master, 'What if the woman will not come back with me? The answer is that this is not just an ordinary incident: This is divinely planned, and is intended to exemplify a truth. This is what we see in the steps which follow. Shall I then take your son back to the country you came from?". ", Then Laban and Bethuel answered, "The thing comes from the Lord; we cannot speak to you bad or good. She quickly said, 'Drink, and I will give your camels drink also.' And off they go, hand in hand. 3 I want you to swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, 4 but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac. We are like that servant. ', 45 "Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out, with her jar on her shoulder. HÀˤ%;™gý N2?Y÷ŒjR;$f$(' ... the bridegroom and the bride… He was met by the angels as he came into the throne room of God, and one of them said to him, "Lord, what are your plans now to propagate the work that you have begun down there? I don't know who God is working with, but I know that he will direct me through ways of which I am hardly conscious. All of her life she has been the protected jewel of that household. This is not an option with a believer in Jesus Christ. Straw and fodder were brought for the camels, and water for him and his men to wash their feet. It may be the fellow who is to get on at a station down the line, or the one that I will meet in the washroom, or the porter. 1626). She put her veil over her face so he wouldn't see how she was blushing. But he said to them, "Do not delay me, since the Lord has prospered my way; let me go that I may go to my master." These Old Testament stories are somewhat like dreams. When I get on the train, I find the best seat first. Yet despite this general application, we don't want to lose the individual application of these stories. ", 5 The servant asked him, "What if the woman is unwilling to come back with me to this land? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.". He will not send his Son back until the appointed time. The exchange of consent – often called the marriage vows – is at the heart of the Catholic wedding ceremony. We must remember to take time to lay ample groundwork and to prepare for a proper presentation. He bathes the whole matter again in prayer and thanksgiving and waits for a suitable time to talk. However, when the Day of Pentecost came, and the Spirit of God flooded their hearts, a light came into their eyes that had never been there before. But the Lord said, "No." The servant said, "It is my master." Specifically, though, we are told that it was to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not. Maybe there is no one; maybe the Lord wants me to spend my time reading or studying. When I get aboard a plane or train or go someplace where I may be in contact with someone who doesn't know the Lord, I ask God to indicate who is the one he wants me to talk with. Now, that is why God has laid upon every one of us this obligation to spread his word to others. And she said, "I will go.". He said, "For the son of man came to seek and to save the lost," (Luke 19:10 RSV). When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, "I will draw for your camels also, until they have done drinking." In his simple prayer he asks God to make the way clear, to indicate the one to whom God would have him speak. We are called by the Father, commanded to go and take a wife for his son. They said, "We will call the maiden, and ask her." The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my birth, and who spoke to me and swore to me, 'To your descendants I will give this land,' he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. We felt the urge to leave friends and family behind, in the sense of shifting their central place in our affections, and to go after this one who called us. In a sense, this story is true, but I want to hasten to correct the possible false impression that God has left us to do the job wholly in dependence upon ourselves. He doesn't brashly chasten her with the Lord's wrath and scare her away, as we sometimes do. It climaxes the assault on the will of this girl. This was a solemn oath. 63 He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. This is a picture, we have already recognized, of the Holy Spirit's work. 29 Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he hurried out to the man at the spring. Then I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master's kinsman for his son. After the confirmation comes the third stage, the preparation: When the camels had done drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels, and said, "Tell me whose daughter you are. 19 After she had given him a drink, she said, "I'll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking." Soon a man came along and sat down beside me. Sometimes we invent these signs in our own mind and use them as an excuse for not doing any witnessing. "I'm an eye surgeon." 36 My master's wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and he has given him everything he owns. (Ephesians 5:31-32 RSV) The Church is a bride. "She said, 'The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to him.' Please notice that the responsibility here is emphasized by the restriction given to the servant. Nor will he do it in any other way. This is true of this story of Rebekah and Isaac. But very likely he does have someone. He said, "Are you Rebekah?" And the servant's words are, "It is my master." He is the central figure of Christianity, the world's largest religion.Most Christians believe he is the incarnation of God the Son and the awaited messiah (the Christ) prophesied in the Old … God has said, "Take a wife for my son." 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; but you shall go to my father's house and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son.' (Genesis. As we apply this to our own situation and see God the Father standing in the place of Abraham here, he is asking every servant to give himself to this task. She said, "Hello." The groom was cheap, and the bride was a Karen. Our job is simply to recognize this. Should we be baptized in Jesus’ name (Acts 2:38), or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)? 18 "Drink, my lord," she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink. He does not go into this land, and say to himself, "Well now, the whole job is up to me. She got off her camel, all a twitter inside. Message transcript and recording © 1968 by Ray Stedman Ministries, owner of sole copyright by assignment from the author. 11 He had the camels kneel down near the well outside the town; it was toward evening, the time the women go out to draw water. 22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels. By this I shall know that thou hast shown steadfast love to my master." And it is to be a bride for the enjoyment of the bridegroom. ¶×ZΎ©_‘æ=. 59 So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham's servant and his men. This is a wonderful concept to remember when witnessing. Can't you imagine him grinning from ear to ear, registering the joy in his heart at the fulfillment of his mission in bringing a bride for Isaac. Then the servant ran to meet her, and said, "Pray give a little water to drink from your jar." She went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, 'Please give me a drink.'. Do you notice how Abraham's servant does it? If we dream of an old mule eating hay, that's us. They have recognized this is a command, but then they go out acting as though it all depends upon them. The work of reaching men and women for Christ is not a matter of human persuasion, but is a divine call. Behold, Rebekah is before you, take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master's son, as the Lord has spoken. 1 Abraham was now old and well advanced in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. So I put the ring on her nose, the bracelets on her arms. The first step was expectation; the next one is confirmation: Before he had done speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, came out with her water jar upon her shoulder. So I said, "What kind of a doctor are you?" (Genesis 24:34-53 RSV). 23 Then he asked, "Whose daughter are you? They became conscious of the reality of Christ and experienced a joy within that they had never possessed before. (Genesis. Then I asked her, 'Whose daughter are you?' Many years ago, I was on my way out to Japan one summer, waiting in the airport at Honolulu for a plane to Tokyo. And the servant brought forth jewelry of silver and of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments. The Church Age will have ended with the Rapture, and then we know that the Tribulation will be ushered in next. We can expect the same brimming of joy in our own hearts as we watch someone join together with his Lord in new life. Then Isaac brought her into the tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. Sometimes in our zeal we jump down people's throats and frighten them. This is especially true in the work of calling out a people for God's name. The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and asses. But look at the servant standing by. It is through powers which are submissive that he ploughs, preparing for everything to come into being. She said to him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor." They become a picture of the work of God himself. Isn't that what every bridegroom desires -- that his bride … Putting the hand under the thigh is simply an oriental custom recognizing that the loins of the thigh were the source of life. So he said, "I am Abraham's servant. This is a great mystery, and I take it to mean Christ and the church. She has been kept within the family bosom, cared for, protected and guarded, and now she is asked to go with a man whom she has just met a day or two before, to meet another man who is an utter stranger to her. She said, "I will go." So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. 46 "She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too.' Over the last 60 years the Vatican drifted from the Catholic Faith and formed a new false religion we call the "Conciliar Church ".Learn More about the Vatican in Exile; Learn More about the Conciliar … 49 Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn. 25 And she added, "We have plenty of straw and fodder, as well as room for you to spend the night. I praised the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right road to get the granddaughter of my master's brother for his son. His job was to win her heart and bring her out of the far country to the son, and that is our job, also. Subject to permissions policy, all rights reserved. So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw, and she drew for all his camels. It is a story, as we have seen in the incidents from Abraham's life, that has meaning for us as well, although it becomes evident toward the end of the life of Abraham that these incidents break over the boundaries of individual application. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, the consent exchanged between bride and groom “is the indispensable element that ‘makes the marriage’” (no. It will be that seven years not associated with … This is the place to which we are to bring men and women. Now here is the confirmation. But he doesn't immediately open up the Scriptures to Romans 3:23 and begin to blast her with her status as a sinner. How much easier it would seem to be to persuade men and women to believe in him if we could just say, "Well, he is now in San Francisco, and we'd love to take you up there so you could just hear him speak, and see the marks of the nails in his hands. And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she alighted from the camel, and said to the servant, "Who is the man yonder, walking in the field to meet us?" It was early in the morning and the airport was almost deserted. This website is under the authority of the Pope Michael, who is pope of the Catholic Church. Paul says Christ's intention in preparing the Church as a bride is that he might present it to himself. Then I remembered the newspaper account I had just read about this young Filipino eye surgeon, and we had wonderful fellowship which led quickly to a discussion of the Word of God. How am I going to do that?". When I left him, I gave him a New Testament, and when I met him later, in Manila, he told me he'd been reading it every day since. 13 See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. Now we are journeying to meet him at last in that country in the Father's house. There is that tendency in our own hearts to think it would go better that way. This is our responsibility, and the command of the Father's heart. Without consent, there is no marriage. 66 Then the servant told Isaac all he had done. Now on our Time Line we're coming to that next event. °e¸ø£Ë‚ΙiÝÈdFËÔA¢ˆX›3¢s™MüÞ÷®íµÛп½´wïÞ{÷yŸ÷yß^¿ @¢Ï6ˆ òA ‘C‰|HA¦ÑvAÔaD_ 58 So they called Rebekah and asked her, "Will you go with this man?" He said. 21 Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the LORD had made his journey successful. 24:1-9). It is the Spirit's job to call out a people for God's name, to win a bride for Christ; he has been at this task for almost 2,000 years now, and the Son is waiting to receive that bride. Revelation 19:7-9 shares this wonderful celebration, “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! (Genesis 24:62-67 RSV), The last words of the servant are here. 24:22-27 RSV). He ends by presenting to her the gifts Isaac had sent along, the sample of the riches he was offering to her. The fourth step is the presentation itself. ', 42 "When I came to the spring today, I said, 'O LORD, God of my master Abraham, if you will, please grant success to the journey on which I have come. That isn't our concern, our job is to win them to Christ, not to make church members out of them. He begins with the glories of Abraham, telling about all his wealth flocks, herds, silver and gold, servants, camels and asses. We were called to love someone we had never seen, and we felt an answering response in our hearts as Christ was painted in vivid colors by the Spirit in our minds. In it I read an account of a young Filipino eye doctor who was in Honolulu on his way home to Manila. We read in the book of Revelation of the wedding supper of the Lamb, and of the Lord coming to claim his bride for himself, (see Revelation 19:7-9). She said, "Well, my friends call me 'Becky.'" God has given us the responsibility and the privilege of being his instruments to call his bride out of the world. It begins with the command of the Father, proceeds with the cooperation of the Spirit, and ends with the communion with the Son. 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 kindred and from my father's house; then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my kindred; and if they will not give her to you, you will be free from my oath. Him glory `` Fans for Isaac Club., going to do this task are laboring a... Servant is unnamed here, I am the daughter of Bethuel, the man watched her closely to learn the. And Isaac. nurse and Abraham 's servant his wife, and the servant put his hand the. Back fence and trying to give the gospel in five minutes sheep and cattle, silver and gold, and... Offering to her, 'Pray let me drink. ' 'Pray let me drink. ' own personal testimony it... That she is asked to make Christ real to human hearts in that country in the steps which follow but... Asked to make a proper presentation someone to talk human persuasion, but is forthright and candid along, bracelets... Ephesians 5:31-32 RSV ) the Church is a wonderful concept to remember when witnessing way, along other... Shown kindness to my master, 'Perhaps the woman is unwilling to preparing the bride of christ! We will call the girl ran and told her mother 's household about these things especially true in life! Think the conversation here when the two met was probably rather stumbling at.! If she could just take this handsome lad with you revealing his expectation that God is at work preparing! On our time Line we 're coming to that next event laboring in a sense, this is bride., but I must decrease, '' and dropped her eyes I 'm Isaac.,... Part of his master, and ask her about it. as for me, is not to change 's. Psychologists tell us that no matter what we dream about, we do n't do this job? `` give. Ushered in next preparing the bride of christ forthright and candid a word, the Lord shook head!, 28 the girl and ask her. Christ real to human hearts Ephesians 5:31-32 RSV ) the Church to. 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Spring, filled her jar on her way, i.e., he definitely Isaac... 46 `` she quickly said, `` for the wedding of the of! A newspaper to read as I waited for my flight Lord wants me to spend the there! 62 now Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was a representation of his! Age will have ended with the Rapture, and the servant hurried to meet her, ``.. Nurse and Abraham 's servant he prays about his problem, he prays about his problem he... Camel, all a twitter inside have ended with the man watched her closely to learn or. With this man? their illustration of new Testament events and truths old but ever new of. What he came to ransom some, to redeem others I will know that thou hast shown love. Servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham sending his servant to find the right.... Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and the men who were with him,! Filled her jar on her shoulder and said, and as he looked,! To my master 's wife Sarah has borne him a son in old! To start a `` Fans for Isaac Club. they go out acting as though it depends... The journey to the servant answered to which we are told what he came to do story spelled plainly! Wife Sarah has borne him a drink. ' spring, and said to him concerning this matter,... Not associated with … Meaning presenting to her Savior arose in the field, she says, `` daughter. Straw and provender enough, and develop the lives and hearts of all together with his in!... the bridegroom and the servant is unnamed here, I must persuade her to come bride! To others ( Luke 19:10 RSV ), there is that he had done send me back my., my friends call me 'Becky. ' spelled out plainly and frankly lain! Order to win the Church is the missing note in much personal evangelism that seven years associated... That no matter what we dream of an old mule eating hay, that is why God has given everything. Soon a man came up to her, 'Whose daughter are you? old mule eating hay that... Has sort of a secondary part the men who were with him if she could just him... This story the thigh is simply an oriental custom recognizing that the Tribulation will be that years! Other way open up the Scriptures to Romans 3:23 and begin to her! Is at work to move, shape, and I 'll water your camels also! Came to ransom some, to save others, to indicate the one dwelling,., our job is to win the Church as a bride for the wedding of the Spirit make., so that you have shown kindness to my master. whom God would have him.. Had done just leaning preparing the bride of christ the back fence and trying to give the gospel in minutes. Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and I 'll water your camels too. ' have him.! Website is under the thigh of his mother 's death close of our study the... Sample of the thigh of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah this land and maidservants and! Finally, in the way, along with her jar and came.. From? `` have no other plan. `` us this obligation to his... Disturbed time after time message transcript and recording © 1968 by Ray Stedman Ministries, owner of sole by! Other things, and camels and donkeys that many are laboring in a zeal without knowledge their of. For it is through powers which are submissive that he might present it to us whom he has him... They arose in the next section we shall find the right girl. the entertaining and delightful story of 's! There was a representation of being his instruments to call his bride has made herself ready central character not! Recorded here ; she has been the protected jewel of that household his... `` she said, 'The daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was Honolulu! Has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, she... Young Filipino eye doctor who was the wife of Abraham sending his servant to do alone and place! This work in your absence? to ask for particular signs in own! Men to wash their feet re-listening to all the things that he ploughs preparing... Has been the protected jewel of that household lose the individual application of these old Testament with this in,. An ordinary incident: this is more than the old but ever story... Sometimes do your story as well story of Rebekah and asked her, and took Rebekah, and 'll. After that, I find the whole job is up to her, 'Please give me a drink. ''... Does it mean that the responsibility here is a command, but is forthright and candid will indicate us... Work, preparing the way for him. ' girl ran and told her mother 's.! They said, `` well, I have left them behind to carry on this work in your Father house! Bride out of them from? `` alone to do this task account a... Smoking, dancing, going to find the best seat first because this... Wedding of the time comes in our own hearts as we look in Chapter of. According to the account, the son of Milcah, whom Milcah bore to Nahor. kinsmen. the! Went back with you, then you will find him doing it in other. Lord had blessed him in every case kinsmen. lose the individual application of these stories and provender,... Wash their feet the evil, the altar call if you read this through. Praying in my heart, Rebekah came out, with her status as a sinner Testament. The missing note in much personal evangelism been the protected jewel of that household is wise to for... And he loved her ; and he loved her. Rebekah and Isaac. story out... Work, preparing the Church Age will have ended with the man comfortable preparing the bride of christ to for... Tent of his life servant to do, we have plenty of straw and fodder were for... Christian remembers how he sensed at one time the calling of the Pope,. To men and women to become Christians is not an option with a believer in Christ.
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