Day 1 of Week 4 The Patriarchs

September 25, 2008
Day One of Week Four
 
A Jar on Her Shoulder
 
Today's Treasure: (Genesis 24: 15)
"Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor."
 
So, now Abraham is a very old man and knows that he is going to die soon. His heart longs to find a wife for Isaac before he passes; however, he is too old to travel to his home country to search out a wife for him. Abraham gives this great honor to the oldest servant in his household.  
 
Before we get into our text today, quickly glance at Romans 15: 13. What is God called in this passage?
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
 
Now Read Genesis 24: 1 – 9 and note Abraham's concern below:
Abraham does not want Isaac's wife to be a Canaanite. He demanded that she be from his land and his family. He also demanded that Isaac not return to the land God brought Abraham from.
 
How do Abraham and his servant swear their oath?
The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham.
Descendants were said to come from the thigh of a man. So, the servant was swearing on the descendants of Abraham.
 
Read Genesis 12: 2 and Genesis 24: 1
"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you."
"Abraham was now old and well advanced in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way."
 
Notice that the first verse said "will bless" and the second verse proclaimed God's faithfulness with "had blessed".
 
How does Ephesians 1: 3 relate to the concept of blessing to you?
Through Christ we have received every spiritual blessing
 
Put yourself in Abraham's position and list several reasons why you might prefer an older servant to a younger one to choose a spouse for your child.
Well, I am sure Abraham wanted a servant that truly understood the God Abraham served and had seen how faithful God was to Abraham over the years. He also wanted a servant that loved him and would take this oath seriously. He wanted someone full of wisdom that only comes with years of experience. I am sure this servant knew the attributes to look for in a good wife.
Read Genesis 24: 10 – 28. What did the servant take "from his master" (v. 10)?
10 camels and all kinds of good things
 
What were among the "good things" (v. 22)?
A gold nose ring weighing a beka and 2 gold bracelets weighing ten shekels
 
According to Ephesians 5: 25 what bride price did our Groom pay?
Jesus Christ gave His life for His bride (the Church)!!!
 
What sign did the servant request from God (Genesis 24: 12 – 14)?
"Then he prayed, 'O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a girl, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I will water your camels too' – let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.' "
 
According to Genesis 24: 15, how soon did Rebekah appear in the scene in answer to the servant's prayer?
"Before he finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor"
 
What does Isaiah 65: 23 – 24 say relating to our passages today?
"They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear."
 
Praise God for this!!! Can you imagine that our God loves us so much to answer us before we even call!!! I feel certain that God has healed my body of this cancer. He is just waiting for the perfect moment for it to be revealed so it will serve the purpose it was meant to serve in His will.
 
How does Genesis 24: 16 describe Rebekah?
"The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again."
 
Look at Ephesians 5: 26 – 27. How will Christ present us to Himself?
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, buy holy and blameless."
 
 
 
Have you ever dreamed of a day that you will be described as the words above? Well, the day is coming. In the eyes of our LORD, we will be all of this when He returns to take His bride!!! We are his bride. Even if we were not holy on our earthly wedding day, we will be when Christ comes to claim us as His own!!! Praise God!!!
 
Let's conclude with a last glance at Genesis 24. How did Abraham's servant assume Rebekah was the one for Isaac?
She offered the servant all he asked for
 
Today's segment of Scripture (Genesis 24: 1 – 28) concludes with two touching scenes. Describe the servant's concluding actions (vv. 26 – 27)
"Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD, saying, 'Praise be to the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master's relatives.' "
 
Describe Rebekah's concluding actions (v. 28)
"The girl ran and told her mother's household about these things."
In other words, she was excited to share the glorious news!!!