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Genesis Chapter Twenty-Four

                             

I. Content of the Chapter

 

Abraham Sent His Oldest Servant to Take a Wife for His Son Isaac

A.  Abraham charged the old servant (v.1-9);

B.  The old servant met Rebekah (v.10-27);

C.  The old servant received the consent and promise of the father and brother of Rebekah (v.28-60);

D.  Isaac Rebekah (v.61-67);

 

II. Verse by Verse Commentary

 

Gen.24:1Now Abraham was old well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.

YLT: “And Abraham old he hath entered into days and Jehovah hath blessed”

Literal Meaning: was old well advanced in age” he was about one hundred and forty years old at that time (Gen. 21:5; 25:20).

  And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things” it was a conclusion of the whole life of Abraham. He always trusted in God and kept the commandment of God so he was blessed by God.

Enlightenment in the Word: believers are a blessed people for God has always blessed us.

 

Gen.24:2So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house who ruled over all that he had “Please put your hand under my thigh

YLT: “and Abraham saith unto his servant the eldest of his house who is ruling over all that he hath `Put I pray thee thy hand under my thigh ”

The Background: in the ancient times if one asked another to put his hand under the speaker’s thigh it was a serious oath that had to be kept faithfully (see Gen. 47:29). The part that the hand touched was close to the reproductive organs which meant that if one disobeyed the oath he would be punished to be without offspring.

Literal Meaning: ruled over all that he had” judging from Abraham’s trust in the servant and his faithful fulfillment of the task in this chapter the servant might be Eliezer of Damascus who was appointed to be the steward of Abraham’s house (Gen. 15:2).

Spiritual Meaning: here Abraham typifies God the Father and the oldest servant typifies the Holy Spirit whom was sent forth into all the earth (Rev. 5:6).

  Ruled over all that he had” the Holy Spirit makes what God is and what God has in the children of God.

 

Gen.24:3and I will make you swear by the Lord the God of heaven and the God of the earth that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I dwell;

YLT: “and I cause thee to swear by Jehovah God of the heavens and God of the earth that thou dost not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanite in the midst of whom I am dwelling;”

Literal Meaning: “not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I dwell” since all the Canaanites worshipped false gods Abraham was unwilling to let her seed be enticed to turn away from the true God (1King 11:2). The first condition concerning choosing the spouse that Abraham had set for Isaac was: not take a wife from the nations.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Parents shall think of the future of the souls of children.

  2) Do not be unequally yoked together with believers (2Cor. 6:14). Christians are unfit to seek the spouse among idolaters.

 

Gen.24:4but you shall go to my country and to my family and take a wife for my son Isaac.”

YLT: “but unto my land and unto my kindred dost thou go and hast taken a wife for my son for Isaac.'”

Spiritual Meaning: Abraham asked the oldest servant to take a wife for Isaac which typified that God the Father intended to take a wife for His only begotten Son (Christ) and so sent forth the Holy Spirit to find the proper one among those who have the same physical form with His beloved Son (“my family”).

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) The calling and justification and glorification of the church are of the will of God the Father.

  2) All the counsels and plans of God the Father will be unto the beloved Son. Only those who are united with and are of the beloved Son are enabled to obtain blessings and glory and honor.

  3) Christ did not meet the one who was worthy to be His spouse among all things (Gen. 2:20). Therefore He partakes of blood and flesh (Heb. 2:14) so that we shall be as Him and be His wife.

 

Gen.24:5And the servant said to him “Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?”

YLT: “And the servant saith unto him `It may be the woman is not willing to come after me unto this land; do I at all cause thy son to turn back unto the land from whence thou camest out?'”

 

Gen.24:6But Abraham said to him “Beware that you do not take my son back there.

YLT: “And Abraham saith unto him `Take heed to thyself lest thou cause my son to turn back thither;”

Literal Meaning: this was the second condition Abraham had set ---- let not Isaac return back there. This is an indication of resolute faith for at least two reasons:

1)     Since God had called Abraham out of Ur (Gen. 12:1) he would not let his offspring return back there.

2)     God had promised Abraham to give the land of Canaan to his descendants.

Enlightenment in the Word: since we have been called out of the world by God and have tasted of heavenly gift we shall not return back to the world to seek the pleasures of sin.

 

Gen.24:7The Lord God of heaven who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my family and who spoke to me and swore to me saying ‘To your descendants I give this land ’ He will send His angel before you and you shall take a wife for my son from there.

YLT: “Jehovah God of the heavens who hath taken me from the house of my father and from the land of my birth and who hath spoken to me and who hath sworn to me saying To thy seed I give this land He doth send His messenger before thee and thou hast taken a wife for my son from thence;”

Literal Meaning: this verse shows Abraham’s knowledge about God and his perfect confidence in God.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) “To your descendants I give this land” ---- God had given us full possessions in His Son (Eph. 1:3 11).

  2) God will open the way to fulfill what we have entrusted to him (2Tim. 1:12).

 

Gen.24:8And if the woman is not willing to follow you then you will be released from this oath; only do not take my son back there.”

YLT: “and if the woman be not willing to come after thee then thou hast been acquitted from this mine oath: only my son thou dost not cause to turn back thither.'”

 

Gen.24:9So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.

YLT: “And the servant putteth his hand under the thigh of Abraham his lord and sweareth to him concerning this matter.”

 

Gen.24:10Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed for all his master’s goods were in his hand. And he arose and went to Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor.

YLT: “And the servant taketh ten camels of the camels of his lord and goeth also of all the goods of his lord in his hand and he riseth and goeth unto Aram-Naharaim unto the city of Nahor;”

Meaning of Words: Mesopotamia”: the areas of the two rivers namely the Euphrates and Tigris;

Literal Meaning: camels” the main means of conveyance of goods at that time;

  Took ten of his master’s camels and departed for all his master’s goods were in his hand” the deep trust of Abraham in his servant was revealed here.

Mesopotamia” it is Iraq today about five hundred miles away from the land of Canaan.

The city of Nahor” it referred to the dwelling place of the descendants of Nahor (see Gen. 22:20) the brother of Abraham. Probably it was Haran (Gen. 11:31).

This verse tells us that the old servant was faithful to what his master had entrusted to him and went to the appointed place.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) If we believers desire to serve God and fulfill what God has entrusted we have to equip ourselves and get good preparations ---- we have to be well-equipped with the fullness of God so that we are enabled to supply Christ to others.

  2) The way in which the servants of God shall walk is utterly according to the guidance of God instead of man’s presumptuous decision.

 

Gen.24:11And he made his camels kneel down outside the city by a well of water at evening time the time when women go out to draw water.

YLT: “and he causeth the camels to kneel at the outside of the city at the well of water at even-time at the time of the coming out of the women who draw water.”

Literal Meaning: in the ancient times well was indispensible to people’s daily life. Therefore people went to the well to meet or seek men (Gen. 29:1-12; Ex. 2:16-17).

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) People all over the world (“women”) are thirsty and need living water. Since men have no God they have no satisfaction.

  2) The best way of preaching the gospel is to kneel down and pray before God who is the fountain of living water and ask for His favor to give us good chance (see v.12).

 

Gen.24:12Then he said “O Lord God of my master Abraham please give me success this day and show kindness to my master Abraham.

YLT: “And he saith `Jehovah God of my lord Abraham cause to meet I pray Thee before me this day -- (and do kindness with my lord Abraham;”

Literal Meaning: O Lord God of my master Abraham this was his prayer to God.

“Please give me success this day he asked God to fulfill His promise to Abraham.

“And show kindness to my master Abraham” he confessed that all things were under the sovereignty God.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Godly master leads to godly servant. Good examples in family life lead the family members and children to walk in the right way.

  2) If a believer starts everything with a prayer he will surely see the hands of God are working.

 

Gen.24:13Behold here I stand by the well of water and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.

YLT: “lo I am standing by the fountain of water and daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water;”

 

Gen.24:14Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink ’ and she says ‘Drink and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”

YLT: “and it hath been the young person unto whom I say Incline I pray thee thy pitcher and I drink and she hath said Drink and I water also thy camels) -- her Thou hast decided for Thy servant for Isaac; and by it I know that Thou hast done kindness with my lord.'”

Literal Meaning: in the ancient times it was strenuous to draw water and ten camels (see v.10) would drink abundant water. Therefore if the woman was not a woman of love she would be unwilling to be so kind to a stranger. Besides she had also to be healthy and diligent. The servant prayed in this way for he knew God would give an excellent woman to Isaac to be his wife. Therefore the servant did not command God to do so but prayed according to the will of God. 

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Many times we may be unable to be in keeping with God. Therefore we have to ask God to manifest His will through prayer.

  2) We shall learn the heart and attitude from the servant but not pray to God according to our own will lest we should make matters worse.       

 

Gen.24:15And it happened before he had finished speaking that behold Rebekah who was born to Bethuel son of Milcah the wife of Nahor Abraham’s brother came out with her pitcher on her shoulder.

YLT: “And it cometh to pass before he hath finished speaking that lo Rebekah (who was born to Bethuel son of Milcah wife of Nahor brother of Abraham) is coming out and her pitcher on her shoulder ”

Literal Meaning: “and it happened before he had finished speaking that behold” it showed that God answered his prayer immediately and instantly and that the following experience was under the sovereignty and arrangement of God.

  The birth of Rebekah was just fit for the condition of “my family” set by Abraham. In fact God had early let Abraham know the news (Gen. 22:21-24).

Spiritual Meaning: “Rebekah” typifies that the church is the wife of Christ (Eph. 5:31-32).

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Our God is a living and true God. Let us trust in Him in everything.

  2) If we acknowledge God in all our ways God will make plain our paths (Pro. 3:6).

 

Gen.24:16Now the young woman was very beautiful to behold a virgin; no man had known her. And she went down to the well filled her pitcher and came up.

YLT: “and the young person of very good appearance a virgin and a man hath not known her; and she goeth down to the fountain and filleth her pitcher and cometh up.”

Spiritual Meaning: the young woman was very beautiful to behold it typifies that the church is much beautiful and holy without blemish in the sight of God (Eph. 5:27).

“A virgin” it typifies that the church is presented to Christ as a chaste virgin (2Cor. 11:2).

“No man had known her” it typifies the simplicity of the church toward Christ (2Cor. 11:3).

Enlightenment in the Word: let our heart desire Christ only. And there is none upon earth we desire beside Him (Ps. 73:25).

 

Gen.24:17And the servant ran to meet her and said “Please let me drink a little water from your pitcher.”

YLT: “And the servant runneth to meet her and saith `Let me swallow I pray thee a little water from thy pitcher;'”

Enlightenment in the Word: not only is man unsatisfied when he has no God but also God is unsatisfied when he has not gained men just like the Lord Jesus asked the Samaritan woman to give him water (John 4:7).

 

Gen.24:18So she said “Drink my lord.” Then she quickly let her pitcher down to her hand and gave him a drink.

YLT: “and she saith `Drink my lord;' and she hasteth and letteth down her pitcher upon her hand and giveth him drink.”

 

Gen.24:19And when she had finished giving him a drink she said “I will draw water for your camels also until they have finished drinking.”

YLT: “And she finisheth giving him drink and saith `Also for thy camels I draw till they have finished drinking;'”

Enlightenment in the Word: a normal church will not only satisfy God but also all the servants of God.

 

Gen.24:20Then she quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough ran back to the well to draw water and drew for all his camels.

YLT: “and she hasteth and emptieth her pitcher into the drinking-trough and runneth again unto the well to draw and draweth for all his camels.”

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Let believers seize the opportunity and serve God with diligence (“quickly ran back”).

  2) Let us serve all those who are around us equally (“for all his camels”) not partially (James 2:1-8).

 

Gen.24:21And the man wondering at her remained silent so as to know whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.

YLT: “And the man wondering at her remaineth silent to know whether Jehovah hath made his way prosperous or not.”

Enlightenment in the Word: when we believers seek the will of God let us observe the circumstance carefully to acknowledge the guidance of God.

 

Gen.24:22So it was when the camels had finished drinking that the man took a golden nose ring weighing half a shekel and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels of gold

YLT: “And it cometh to pass when the camels have finished drinking that the man taketh a golden ring (whose weight a bekah) and two bracelets for her hands (whose weight ten of gold) ”

Spiritual Meaning: golden nose ring” it was put on the nose (see v.47) which indicated the character of obedience to God.

  Bracelets” it symbolizes the character of receiving the guidance of God and working with diligence in conversation.

  And the golden nose ring and bracelets also symbolize the things of God (gold in the Bible refers to the nature of God). The old servant gave Rebekah a golden nose ring and bracelets which typified that the Holy Spirit reveals us things of God to draw us to seek the Lord.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Let us put on Christ after we have been saved in our walking ans service (Gal. 3:27) so that people will see God on us.

  2) The walking of believers shall be restrained and governed and arranged by God.

  3) Believers partake of everything of God due to the revelation and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

 

Gen.24:23and said “Whose daughter are you? Tell me please is there room in your father’s house for us to lodge?”

YLT: “and saith `Whose daughter thou? declare to me I pray thee is the house of thy father a place for us to lodge in?'”

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Once we are saved we shall know our identity. We are no longer of ourselves but of God and we are children of God.

  2) Since we are saved we shall know that the church is the house of God and the habitation of God through the Spirit (Eph. 2:22).

 

Gen.24:24So she said to him “I am the daughter of Bethuel Milcah’s son whom she bore to Nahor.”

YLT: “And she saith unto him `I daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah whom she hath borne to Nahor.'”

 

Gen.24:25Moreover she said to him “We have both straw and feed enough and room to lodge.”

YLT: “She saith also unto him `Both straw and provender abundant with us also a place to lodge in.'”

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) The church shall normally be full of more than sufficient food as well as let the Holy Spirit govern and dwell in restfully.

  2) Let believers be hospitable with willingness and love (Titus. 1:8; Heb. 13:2).

 

Gen.24:26Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the Lord.

YLT: “And the man boweth and doth obeisance to Jehovah ”

Enlightenment in the Word: let believers be thankful in everything (1Thess. 5:18). And let our requests be made known unto God in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6).

 

Gen.24:27And he said “Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me being on the way the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.”

YLT: “and saith `Blessed Jehovah God of my lord Abraham who hath not left off His kindness and His truth with my lord; -- I in the way Jehovah hath led me to the house of my lord's brethren.'”

Literal Meaning: the word of the old servant indicated that he had deeper knowledge of God on the way. Note that he firstly thought of God and then his master and finally himself.

 

Gen.24:28So the young woman ran and told her mother’s household these things.

YLT: “And the young person runneth and declareth to the house of her mother according to these words.”

 

Gen.24:29-30Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban and Laban ran out to the man by the well. So it came to pass when he saw the nose ring and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists and when he heard the words of his sister Rebekah saying “Thus the man spoke to me ” that he went to the man. And there he stood by the camels at the well.

YLT: “And Rebekah hath a brother and his name Laban and Laban runneth unto the man who without unto the fountain; yea it cometh to pass when he seeth the ring and the bracelets on the hands of his sister and when he heareth the words of Rebekah his sister saying `Thus hath the man spoken unto me ' that he cometh in unto the man and lo he is standing by the camels by the fountain.”

Meaning of Words: Laban”: white glorious;

Literal Meaning: and Laban ran out…when he saw the nose ring ans the bracelets…” here it suggested that Laban was a covetous worshipper of Mammon which was a hint foreshadowing of the sufferings of Jacob caused by Laban afterwards (Gen. 31:36-42).

 

Gen.24:31And he said “Come in O blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.”

YLT: “And he saith `Come in O blessed one of Jehovah why standest thou without and I -- I have prepared the house and place for the camels!'”

 

Gen.24:32Then the man came to the house. And he unloaded the camels and provided straw and feed for the camels and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.

YLT: “And he bringeth in the man into the house and looseth the camels and giveth straw and provender for the camels and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who with him:”

 

Gen.24:33 Food was set before him to eat but he said “I will not eat until I have told about my errand.” And he said “Speak on.”

YLT: “and setteth before him to eat; but he saith `I do not eat till I have spoken my word;' and he saith `Speak.'”

Literal Meaning: the old servant was so hasty to fulfill the mission entrusted by his master that he did not care about his belly.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) When the whole heart of a man concentrates on a burden if the burden is not unloaded he had no appetite for food or drinks. It is just the condition of the so-called “fasting” in the Bible.

  2) He who is faithful to the Lord cares about things entrusted by the Lord more than his own physical needs.

 

Gen.24:34So he said “I am Abraham’s servant.

YLT: “And he saith `I Abraham's servant;”

 

Gen.24:35The Lord has blessed my master greatly and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds silver and gold male and female servants and camels and donkeys.

YLT: “and Jehovah hath blessed my lord exceedingly and he is great; and He giveth to him flock and herd and silver and gold and men-servants and maid-servants and camels and asses;”

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) We shall primarily manifest that we are the servants of God before men.

  2) Secondly we shall reveal the riches of God’s grace to draw the hearers.

 

Gen.24:36And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and to him he has given all that he has.

YLT: “and Sarah my lord's wife beareth a son to my lord after she hath been aged and he giveth to him all that he hath.”

Spiritual Meaning: here the word of the old servant typifies that the Holy Spirit bears witness to God the Father and Christ  (John 15:26) testifying that God has abundant inheritances and Christ is the beloved only begotten Son of God as well as the heir of all (John 16:13-15).

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) God’s revelation of Christ to men through the Holy Spirit is the fundamental work in the church ---- only those who have really known Christ are members of the spiritual church.

  2) The Spirit does not lead men to look upon Himself but to gaze at Christ. It is abnormal for Christians to hold spiritual gifts higher than Christ.

  3) Today the main ministry of the Holy Spirit is not healing or casting out demons but revealing and testifying Christ to make men see the glory and riches of Christ. Therefore men will be drawn to seek Christ. .

 

Gen.24:37Now 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;

YLT: “`And my lord causeth me to swear saying Thou dost not take a wife to my son from the daughters of the Canaanite in whose land I am dwelling.”

 

Gen.24:38but you shall go to my father’s house and to my family and take a wife for my son.’

YLT: “If not -- unto the house of my father thou dost go and unto my family and thou hast taken a wife for my son.”

 

Gen.24:39And I said to my master ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’

YLT: “`And I say unto my lord It may be the woman doth not come after me;”

 

Gen.24:40But 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 family and from my father’s house.

YLT: “and he saith unto me Jehovah before whom I have walked habitually doth send His messenger with thee and hath prospered thy way and thou hast taken a wife for my son from my family and from the house of my father;”

 

Gen.24:41You will be clear from this oath when you arrive among my family; for if they will not give her to you then you will be released from my oath.’

YLT: “then art thou acquitted from my oath when thou comest unto my family and if they give not to thee; then thou hast been acquitted from my oath.”

 

Gen.24:42“And this day I came to the well and said ‘O Lord God of my master Abraham if You will now prosper the way in which I go

YLT: “`And I come to-day unto the fountain and I say Jehovah God of my lord Abraham if Thou art I pray Thee making prosperous my way in which I am going --”

 

Gen.24:43behold I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass that when the virgin comes out to draw water and I say to her “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink ”

YLT: “(lo I am standing by the fountain of water) then the virgin who is coming out to draw and I have said unto her Let me drink I pray thee a little water from thy pitcher ”

 

Gen.24:44and she says to me “Drink and I will draw for your camels also ”—let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.’

YLT: “and she hath said unto me Both drink thou and also for thy camels I draw -- she is the woman whom Jehovah hath decided for my lord's son.”

 

Gen.24:45“But before I had finished speaking in my heart there was Rebekah coming out with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down to the well and drew water. And I said to her ‘Please let me drink.’

YLT: “`Before I finish speaking unto my heart then lo Rebekah is coming out and her pitcher on her shoulder and she goeth down to the fountain and draweth; and I say unto her Let me drink I pray thee ”

 

Gen.24:46And she made haste and let her pitcher down from her shoulder and said ‘Drink and I will give your camels a drink also.’ So I drank and she gave the camels a drink also.

YLT: “and she hasteth and letteth down her pitcher from off her and saith Drink and thy camels also I water; and I drink and the camels also she hath watered.”

 

Gen.24:47Then I asked her and said ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said ‘The daughter of Bethuel Nahor’s son whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the nose ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists.

YLT: “`And I ask her and say Whose daughter thou? and she saith Daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor whom Milcah hath borne to him and I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her hands ”

 

Gen.24:48And I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham who had led me in the way of truth to take the daughter of my master’s brother for his son.

YLT: “and I bow and do obeisance before Jehovah and I bless Jehovah God of my lord Abraham who hath led me in the true way to receive the daughter of my lord's brother for his son.”

 

Gen.24:49Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master tell me. And if not tell me that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”

YLT: “`And now if ye are dealing kindly and truly with my lord declare to me; and if not declare to me; and I turn unto the right or unto the left.'”

Literal Meaning: from verse 37 to 49 the old servant told them the truth straightly (see v.2-27) and hoped them to give direct and clear answer. His words were characterized by the following two points:

1)    Make a short and simple introduction of the whole matter;

2)    Illustrate the whole matter from God’s point of view to make all men know the whole matter was guided by God (see v.50);

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Sincerity is the best way. He who is honest to others also expects to be honestly treated.

  2) If believers dare not to tell the truth and speak in a vague way because of fearing to offend men it will be easier to offend men.

 

Gen.24:50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said “The thing comes from the Lord; we cannot speak to you either bad or good.

YLT: “And Laban answereth -- Bethuel also -- and they say `The thing hath gone out from Jehovah; we are not able to speak unto thee bad or good;”

Literal Meaning: “Laban and Bethuel” Laban was the son of Bethuel (see v.24 29). Here that Laban is put before Bethuel is probably because: 1) Bethuel passed away and Laban took the family in charge; 2) Bethuel was mild and let his son voice his opinions.

  “We cannot speak to you either bad or good” it meant that they could say nothing (Gen. 31:24) but only consent to this marriage.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Once believers have realized a matter is from God we have to obey.

  2) The most important thing in preaching the gospel is to let people meet God. Once a man meets God he will submit to Him immediately.

 

Gen.24:51Here is Rebekah before you; take her and go and let her be your master’s son’s wife as the Lord has spoken.”

YLT: “lo Rebekah before thee take and go and she is a wife to thy lord's son as Jehovah hath spoken.'”

 

Gen.24:52And it came to pass when Abraham’s servant heard their words that he worshiped the Lord bowing himself to the earth.

YLT: “And it cometh to pass when the servant of Abraham hath heard their words that he boweth himself towards the earth before Jehovah;”

Literal Meaning: note the gestures of the servant’s thrice prayer: the first time he “stood” to pray for God’s guidance (v.13) and the second time he bowed down his head and worshiped God (v.26) and the third time he bowed himself to the earth when the marriage was allowed.  

 

Gen.24:53Then the servant brought out jewelry of silver jewelry of gold and clothing and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother.

YLT: “and the servant taketh out vessels of silver and vessels of gold and garments and giveth to Rebekah; precious things also he hath given to her brother and to her mother.”

Literal Meaning: to her brother and to her mother” note that Bethuel was not mentioned so in verse fifty very probably Bethuel was dead and Laban the eldest brother spoke on behalf of his father.

Spiritual Meaning: jewelry of silver” typifies the redemption of Christ.

Jewelry of gold” typifies the life and nature of God.

Clothing” typifies that Christ is our robe of righteousness (Is. 61:10).

Precious things” typifies the work of the Holy Spirit.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Believers have to manifest the presence of God (“jewelry of gold”) and the experience of the cross (“jewelry of silver”) and the glory of Christ (“clothing”) and outpour the Holy Spirit (“precious things”) before men.

  2) Once one is favored his whole family is blessed (Acts 16:31).

 

Gen.24:54And he and the men who were with him ate and drank and stayed all night. Then they arose in the morning and he said “Send me away to my master.”

YLT: “And they eat and drink he and the men who with him and lodge all night; and they rise in the morning and he saith `Send me to my lord;'”

 

Gen.24:55But her brother and her mother said “Let the young woman stay with us a few days at least ten; after that she may go.”

YLT: “and her brother saith -- her mother also -- `Let the young person abide with us a week or ten days afterwards doth she go.'”

The Background: the ancient Middle Easterners lacked the concept of time.

Enlightenment in the Word: the family members of believers tend to be the hindrance to our loving and serving the Lord.

 

Gen.24:56And he said to them “Do not hinder me since the Lord has prospered my way; send me away so that I may go to my master.”

YLT: “And he saith unto them `Do not delay me seeing Jehovah hath prospered my way; send me away and I go to my lord;'”

Literal Meaning: it suggested that the old servant did things neatly not sloppily and he refused men’s delay according to the guidance of God.

Enlightenment in the Word: once we have perceived the guidance of God let us trust in and obey Him. Over-examination may blur our vision.

 

Gen.24:57So they said “We will call the young woman and ask her personally.”

YLT: “and they say `Let us call for the young person and ask at her mouth;'”

 

Gen.24:58 “Then they called Rebekah and said to her “Will you go with this man?” And she said “I will go.”

YLT: “and they call for Rebekah and say unto her `Dost thou go with this man?' and she saith `I go.'”

Literal Meaning: she said “I will go.” It indicated that Rebekah was decisive. Though she had not seen Isaac she believed in the words of the old servant and desired to “go” to Isaac with earnestness.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Though we have not seen Him we love Him (1Pet. 1:8).

  2) We will escape from the earthly snares only when we are drawn by the glory and riches of Christ and thus are eager to see His face.

 

Gen.24:59So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men.

YLT: “And they send away Rebekah their sister and her nurse and Abraham's servant and his men;”

Literal Meaning: sent away Rebekah their sister” it suggested again that it was decided and arranged by Laban rather than Bethuel.

“Her nurse” namely Deborah (Gen. 35:8).

 

Gen.24:60And they blessed Rebekah and said to her: “Our sister may you become The mother of thousands of ten thousands; And may your descendants possess The gates of those who hate them.”

YLT: “and they bless Rebekah and say to her `Thou our sister; become thou thousands of myriads and thy seed doth possess the gate of those hating it.'”

Literal Meaning: their blessing just corresponds to God’s blessing to Abraham (Gen. 22:17).

Spiritual Meaning: the church is the mother of thousands of ten thousands people (Gal. 4:26). The power of the hell cannot prevail against the church that is built (Matt. 16:18).

 

Gen.24:61Then Rebekah and her maids arose and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.

YLT: “And Rebekah and her young women arise and ride on the camels and go after the man; and the servant taketh Rebekah and goeth.”

 

Gen.24:62Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi for he dwelt in the South.

YLT: “And Isaac hath come in from the entrance of the Well of the Living One my Beholder; and he is dwelling in the land of the south ”

Literal Meaning: Beer Lahai Roi it is in the south close to Beersheba (Gen. 16:14).

“He dwelt in the South” Sarah died in Hebron (Gen. 23:2). Probably Abraham had already distributed the property to Isaac (see v.36; Gen. 25:5). And the father and the son did not live together.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Believers live on the earth to run the race that lies before us (Heb. 12:1) and press towards the goal (Christ) (Phil. 3:14).

  2) When we run the heavenly race we have to pray (“rode on the camels”) and follow the Holy Spirit (“followed the man”).

 

Gen.24:63And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked and there the camels were coming.

YLT: “and Isaac goeth out to meditate in the field at the turning of the evening and he lifteth up his eyes and looketh and lo camels are coming.”

Spiritual Meaning: in the evening” it typifies the end of the world is coming and the Lord is coming.

  Isaac went out to meditate in the field” it symbolizes that the Lord is praying for the church.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Believers shall learn from Isaac to commit the marriage unto God utterly and pray all the time and look upon Him. Finally we will see the works of God.

  2) The boat of the church is just on the way to the other side. Though she is straining at rowing for the wind is against her the Lord Jesus is still praying for us (Mark 6:46-48). Therefore let us rest assured.

 

Gen.24:64Then Rebekah lifted her eyes and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel;

YLT: “And Rebekah lifteth up her eyes and seeth Isaac and alighteth from off the camel;”

Literal Meaning: “dismounted from her camel” it was an indication of respect and honor.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) We are the children of God and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be. But we know that when He is revealed we shall be like Him (1John 3:2).

  2) For yet a little while he who is coming will come and will not tarry (Heb. 10:37).

 

Gen.24:65 for she had said to the servant “Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said “It is my master.” So she took a veil and covered herself.

YLT: “and she saith unto the servant `Who this man who is walking in the field to meet us?' and the servant saith `It my lord;' and she taketh the veil and covereth herself.”

The Background:she took a veil and covered herself” according to the custom in the Middle East in the old times the bridegroom would see the bride without a veil after the matrimonial ceremony.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) One day the Lord will come again and welcome us on the way.

  2) We believers shall cover all that of us completely before Him and take all that of Him as ours.

 

Gen.24:66And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.

YLT: “And the servant recounteth to Isaac all the things that he hath done ”

 

Gen.24:67Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

YLT: “and Isaac bringeth her in unto the tent of Sarah his mother and he taketh Rebekah and she becometh his wife and he loveth her and Isaac is comforted after his mother.”

Meaning of Words: “comfort”: strengthen support establish;

Literal Meaning: Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent here it emphasized that Rebekah replaced the position of Sarah.

“And he took Rebekah and she became his wife and he loved her” Isaac did not hesitate to marry her and loved her which proved that Rebekah was of the selection of God.

Spiritual Meaning: Sarah’s tent” typifies the New Jerusalem (Gal. 4:26; Rev. 21:2).

  Took Rebekah and she became his wife” it means that once the marriage of the Lamb is come (Rev. 19:7) the church and Christ will be one perfectly. Then the tabernacle of God is with men and He will dwell with them and will be their God (Rev. 21:3) and thus the people are comforted and Christ is satisfied.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

Examples of a Servant

A.  Fear God (v.26 52);

B.  Pray to God for His guidance (v.12);

C.  Keep the command of the master closely and not act on one’s own (v.2-9);

D.  Run to the destination in spite of the labor (v.10);

E.  Understand to grasp the most important character of a man ---- diligence and love (v.14);

F.  Observe the guidance of God carefully (v.21);

G.  Give priority to the mission and refuse any delay (v.33 56);

H.  Speak clearly and simply so that the hearers will know what to do and how to do (v.34-49);

I.    Claim no credit for oneself and give thanks to God (v.27 48 52);

J.   Account for one’s work perfectly (v.65-66);

 

Types of the Holy Trinity

A.  Abraham typifies God the Father:

1. All things will be given to Christ (v.36; see Col. 1:19);

2. God sent the Spirit to take a bride for Christ (v.3);

B.  Isaac typifies Christ:

1. Who is the only beloved Son of God (v.36; see John 1:14);

2. Who is praying for the church (v.63; see Heb. 7:25);

3. Who will come to marry the bride (v.65; see Matt. 22:2; Rev. 19:7-9);

C.  The oldest servant typifies the Holy Spirit:

1. Who rules all that the master has (v.2);

2. Who is sent to take a wife for Christ among those who are of God (“my family”) (see v.4; Rev. 5:6);

3. Who reveals the riches of Christ to the church (“Rebekah”) (v.22 35-36; 53);

4. Who brings the church to run the heavenly way till the Lord’s second coming (v.61-67);

 

Rebekah Typifies the Church the Bride of Christ

A.  Who has the life of Christ ---- she was from the same family with Isaac (v.4);

B.  Who comes from the world ---- she was in Mesopotamia (v.10);

C.  Who is a chaste virgin (2Cor. 11:2) ---- a virgin (v.17);

D.  Who partakes of the divine nature of God ---- she had good character (v.18-19);

E.  Who has not seen Him yet loves him ---- Rebekah was willing to go with the old servant (v.58);

F.  Who has numerous spiritual children ---- be the mother of thousands of ten thousands (v.60);

G.  Who undergoes the difficulties in the world ---- she took the long journey with the old servant (v.61);

H.  Who satisfies Christ ---- who made Isaac comforted (v.67);

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

Translated by Mary Zhou