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Genesis study & commentary

Genesis 24

By Doug Ford
A bride for Isaac.

Genesis 24:1-4

Abraham is well up in years now; about 140 years old (making Isaac 40).  After losing Sarah, he knew that he also would soon pass on.  Eliezer had been Abraham's chief servant for many years.  He would have been 85 years old at this time.  Abraham and Eliezer had spent many years together and gone through. While it is likely, we don't know for sure if this is Eliezer.  Prior to the birth of Isaac, Eliezer would have been in line to receive Abraham's inheritance. 

 

Abraham asked the servant to "put your hand under my thigh" to swear an oath.  This was obviously viewed as a very important and not something taken lightly.  You had to trust someone before inviting them to do that!  He put his hand on or near the mark of circumcision, which is the sign of God's covenant.  In doing so, he linked the servant's oath related to this mission to the covenant.    The oath itself was to swear by Jehovah, the God of heaven and the God of the earth.  It was to be linked inevitably to the self-existent, eternal God whose dominion was in heaven but whose providence was on earth.

 

Abraham assigned Eliezer the task of finding a wife for Isaac; but, more importantly, that he find the correct wife.  He was to make sure Isaac did not take a wife from the Canaanites.  All marriages at that time were arranged, so Abraham instructed his servant to take a wife from his own family and his own country.

 

Genesis 24:5-9

Abraham must have known that he wouldn't live to see Isaac's bride come back from his home country.  His oath was to bring a bride from his county and he trusted the Lord's angel to go before him, preparing the way and guiding the venture.  He was by no means to take Isaac from the Promised Land.  It may well be that in keeping Isaac in the country, Abraham was trying to instill obedience in his son that he hadn't possessed.  Abraham didn't want Isaac to leave and have to learn the lessons of wandering and trusting.  

 

By now, Abraham's family had respect and prominence among the Canaanites.  The purchase of Sarah's burial plot was the beginning of the larger possession many years down the road.  Watch the life of Isaac as you move through Genesis.  He never left the Promised Land. 

 

The senior servant understood the assignment, agreed and took the oath

 

Genesis 24:10-11

As the senior servant, this man controlled all that Abraham had.  Abraham not only trusted him to bring a bride to his son but also to oversee all that he had.  The servant took ten camels with him, assembling a caravan to impress.  They were loaded up to carry good things that would become the bride price for father of this young lady.  It also seemed as though he was prepared to bring several people back with him, should he need to bring an entire family. 

 

The servant set out for the region of Aram Naharaim and after about 500 miles and several months of travel, he came to the city of Nahor, near Haran.  Nahor was the name Abraham's father as well as his brother.  He had the camels kneel at the well.  The normal time for the women to come to the well was in the evening when the work of the day was done and they were preparing for the evening meal.   

 

Genesis 24:12-14

It was an important moment for the servant; the oath was important to him to fulfill.  He looked to the Lord for guidance.  He's asked God to provide specific circumstances so he would know which woman was the woman God had chosen.  The offer to water the camels removed any chance of coincidence.  This was a huge chore and only the most hospitable and generous would think of offering to do such a thing.  Each of the 10 camels would drink 20 gallons of water.

 

Asking for specific circumstances seems like testing and might be likened to setting out a fleece.  But the servant wasn't asking for a miracle or a circumstance where only the supernatural could make it happen.  This kind of test just can't be part of our normal walk with God; our motives aren't that pure.  If you're set on seeking a circumstance as a sign, you must be sure it is to glorify God. 

 

It is interesting to note that the servant didn't make any requests of this woman other than she be the one God intended for Isaac. 

 

Genesis 24:15-21

The angel of the Lord brought the servant to the well right on time for the divine appointment with Rebekah.   She had been on the way before the prayer started and arrived before it was over, giving us a view of divine providence.  The last part of verse 15 and first half of verse 16 seems to be a statement of genealogy and purity as a means of qualifying Rebekah to be Isaac's wife and the matriarch of the covenant. 

 

God is amazing and will show Himself so when we are paying attention.  He hurried over to meet her and she quickly made the offer to water the camels.  In doing so, she was shown to be kind, hospitable and a very hard worker.   In verse 16 she 'went down' to the spring; the well was a hole in the ground with steps descending to the spring.  Each filling of the jar meant a trip down and back up carrying the water.  To water the camels was to provide 20 gallons to each of the 10 camels.  She volunteered for several hours work for this stranger.

 

Note: Water weighs a little over 8lbs/gallon.  If she provided 200 gallons to these camels, she carried over 1600lbs up the steps from the well.  If her pitcher held two gallons (a large pitcher); she would make 100 trips to the spring.

 

It seems strange the servant is watching her work, all the while wondering if his journey had been successful.  Why is he wondering?  Why would he not just praise God and load the camels.  I suspect he was standing with his mouth hanging open, stunned with the efficiency of God.

 

Genesis 24:22-25

You have to wonder if Rebekah was about to run away from this strange 85-year-old man.  She may well have been worried that the servant was proposing his own marriage.  She was probably still stunned and thinking about how old he was while he was putting a ring in (on, around) her nose and bracelets on her wrists.  He asked whose daughter she was and if he could stay at their house.  This sounds funny to us; what would happen now days if an 85-year-old man approached a 16-year-old, gave her jewelry and asked to come home with her?  Things were certainly done different at that time.  

 

As strange as these things sound to us Rebekah saw nothing abnormal about it.  She introduced herself by telling her family line and offered him lodging.  These things were all customary and normal hospitality.

 

Genesis 24:26-27

At the introduction, the servant realized that God had led him right to Abraham's brother's family.  Rebekah was Isaac's distant cousin and was qualified to satisfy the oath.  The servant didn't believe he got lucky or that it was coincidence.  He took no credit for himself.  He simply recognized this as a work of God and he praises the Lord, thanking him for his kindness and faithfulness.  The word translated to kindness (NIV) is 'chesed' and means loyal, merciful or unfailing love.  It is translated:

  • Mercy – NKJV
  • Steadfast – ESV
  • Lovingkindness - NASB
  • Unfailing – NLT

The idea is that each of that 'chesed' is God's favor on his life.

 

Genesis 24:28-31

The reference to 'her mother's household' in verse 28 suggests a matrilineal system.  Laban is Rebekah's brother.  The nose ring and bracelets caught Laban's attention.  We might assume it was his concern for Rebekah.  However, we also find out more about Laban later which might lead us to believe the silver and gold caught his attention.  Either way, he invited the servant into the home. 

 

Note: It is possible the nose ring & bracelets had some design associated with Abraham's family. 

 

Genesis 24:32-49

All this was normal hospitality; and it was hard work.  The servant doesn't want to settle into the comfort of this home until he told them about his mission.  He had to be hungry after his travels but it was mission over the stomach.  He detailed what brought him, how it happened, how God's guidance and hand was in it.  He said he worshiped God and blessed Him for how it all happened.  Then he turned to them and said they needed to tell him if they'll deal in kindness and faithfulness to Abraham.  The word 'kindness' in verse 48 is the word 'chesed' again.  The servant wanted to know if Rebekah would show favor toward Abraham in agreeing to marry Isaac. If not, the servant would seek the Lord about moving on.  In essence, he refused to eat until Rebekah gave an answer if she would go with him to be Isaac's wife.

 

Note: She had no idea when she went to draw water she would be proposed to and answering such a question.  Would she marry this rich man she never met?

 

Genesis 24:50-51

We see that Rebekah's father, Bethuel is present.  But we also begin to see that Laban has guardianship over her.  Notice that Laban is listed before the father; this would be the only reason for this.  The father and brother basically say they don't want to stand in the way of God's plans.  They acknowledge this was from the Lord.  God had a plan and the servant was acting in faith to be obedient to it. 

 

You might wonder if Laban was free to say no.  Could he have said no?  God's plan is perfect.  Had Laban been a roadblock in any way, he wouldn't have stopped God.  The plan would have perfectly worked itself to God's design with no problem, hesitation or threat.  Laban was free to answer as he chose.  God already knew the outcome.

 

Genesis 24:52-54

Abraham's servant once again worshiped God.  He 'bowed down to the ground'; this is prostrate, facedown before God.    The servant then brought these lavish gifts of silver, gold and clothing for Rebekah.  In addition, Rebekah's mother and brother receive 'costly gifts' and experience a blessing because of her.  These gifts may have been part of the 'bride price'.   The Hebrew word for these 'costly gifts' is 'migdanah' and means precious gift; used to describe the finest delicacy, choicest fruit, most precious and priceless jewels.  

 

With business complete, it was time to eat, drink and sleep in preparation for the return trip.  When he rose up in the morning, he asked to be sent on his way.  The transaction was complete but the timing was not yet established.  This was normal manners for this servant to ask to be released or dismissed from the presence of the host.

 

Genesis 24:55-58

Just a few more days was likely a colloquialism for 'a while longer' which could be as much as a year.  Any parent can understand the reluctance of letting their daughter go with a stranger in this way, even though they knew Abraham.  They had their reasons.  She would go far away and likely not be seen again.  Yes, this servant was sent from God.  They were more than happy for the arrangement, just not the timing.     

 

This isn't acceptable to the servant.   He is on a quest form the Lord at his master's request; there was no time to waste.  The brother and Mother defer to Rebekah, did she really want to go now?  She was answering God's call on her life.  She was willing to go, although she had probably never been away from home before.  The 500 mile trip ahead of her was just the beginning of her adventure.

 

Genesis 24:59-61

Rebekah left and the family sent her nurse with her.  Since she had no need for the nurse it is likely this woman was a trusted member of the family.  Her name was Deborah; we find this out in 35:8 where her death is recorded. 

 

The servant was released to return.  Rebekah's brother sent her off with a blessing.  This may have been a standard blessing but it fit nicely with the promise that her future husband had received.

 

Genesis 24:62-67

Isaac looked up and saw the caravan with his bride.  Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac.  When the servant said it was her husband, she veiled herself.  A young bride would be veiled until after the wedding where her veil was removed.  This was preparing herself to be presented to Isaac as his bride. 

 

The servant saw Isaac in the distance and called him 'his master'.  Isaac had left Abraham as 'his master' from Beersheba and returned to Isaac at Beer Lahai Roi as his master.  In this we see the transferring of the patriarchy from Abraham to Isaac. 

 

What a great story of Rebekah spotting Isaac from a distance and he looked up to see her coming.  There was no doubt they were meant to be together.  Very Cool!!  We never get tired of seeing this kind of God ordained love play out before us.  It touches something deep inside. 

 

This is the first appearance of Isaac since Abraham took him to the mountain to sacrifice him.  This is a picture or typology of Jesus.  After Isaac's sacrifice (in model only), he was not present again until he met his bride.  In the same way, after Christ was crucified, He went away.  He will return soon to meet his bride.  Of course, we know the bride is a reference to the church.  It's interesting to note that they meet halfway in the field, in the evening.  This servant had a name but was always called 'the servant'.  He is a picture of the Holy Spirit who went at the direction of the father on behalf of the son to prepare a bride for the son. 

 

©2019 Doug Ford