Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Genesis 24:23


Vs.23- “And said, Whose daughter art thou?”- After taking out the gifts, the servant of Abraham asks her two important questions.  He first asks her of her lineage.  Part of the oath that the servant made with his master was that he would find a wife for Isaac of his own kindred.  This woman was only a candidate for his errand if she had the right pedigree. 

“Tell me, I pray thee:  is there room in thy father’s house for us to lodge in?”- “I pray thee.”  The word pray literally means to beseech or ask a petition.  The second question was concerning lodging.  I can think of two good reasons why he asked this question.  1.)  Because they needed a place to stay.  This servant and his men were hundreds of miles away from home and would need a place to stay for the night.  In Abraham’s day, you didn’t have inns to stay in.  A person was required to trust in the hospitality of those in the area to which they were travelling.  It was a common courtesy to give hospitality to those that were in travelling through.  2.)  He was desirous of the opportunity to speak with Rebekah’s father concerning the oath he was sent to fulfill.  He wanted to talk with her family about Rebekah coming to Canaan to marry Isaac.  Rebekah has no idea about the servant’s errand.  An interesting side note- Rebekah was not given the earring and bracelets until after the servant asked the questions.  Vs.22 tells us that the servant got them out and ready and then asked the questions.  Vs.47 of this chapter reveals to us that the servant put these items on her after she had answered the questions. 

 

One-Line Explanation- The servant asks Rebekah two important questions.

 

Lesson:   1.)  Passing the test.  Rebekah had a few tests to pass before she became part of the Messianic line.  A.)  Her first test was the test of obedience.  She had to water the camels when she was asked.  B.)  Her second test was the test of initiative.  She watered the camels even though she wasn’t asked.  C.)  Her third test was a test of pedigree.  She had to be of a certain family to qualify.  D.)  Her fourth test involved inviting the servant to her home to meet her parents.  The Lord allows us to be tested many times in our lives.  Rebekah passed every test that was put in front of her.  Tests are not to make you smarter, but rather to reveal how smart you already are.  If you don’t know the answers on a particular test, taking the test will not make you automatically know the answers.  Tests are to reveal what should already be in you.  These tests did not give Rebekah character, they just revealed her character.  We need to be preparing as Christians to be the right kind of Christian so that when we are tested we may pass the test and be useful to the Lord.  2.)  Whose daughter art thou?  Rebekah could not be Isaac’s wife if she was not a part of Isaac’s family.  She had to be a part of the family or else her right to this blessing was forfeited.  You and I must be a part of the family of God if we wish to have the blessings of God.  How do you become a member of the family?  You must be born again.  You are spiritually born into God’s family by simply trusting in Jesus Christ as your Saviour.  If you are not a child of God; if you are not a part of God’s family then you cannot have the blessing of heaven, or the blessing of forgiveness, or the blessing of a new body, or the blessing of the Holy Spirit, or numerous other blessings that we will not take time to mention.  The gifts were not given to Rebekah until first she stated her pedigree.  You will not receive the gift of eternal life unless you are a part of God’s family!  Spiritually speaking, there are only two families you can be a member of.  You are either a member of one or the other.  Jesus told the Pharisees in John 8:44- Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.  You are either a child of the devil or a child of God.  If you have not been born again then you are a child of the devil.  The blessings only apply to you if you are in the right family!  So, I must ask the question:  “Whose daughter art thou?” or “Whose son art thou?”  3.)  Is there room in thy father’s house for us to lodge in?  The servant was asking for permission to stay at Rebekah’s home.  The Holy Spirit is a gentleman.  He will not force His way into your life, but He will gently petition you that you would let him in.  A.)  If you are lost, then the Holy Spirit is knocking on your hearts door and asking you to let him in.  Let Christ come in and dwell in your tabernacle.  B.)  If you are saved, then the Holy Spirit dwells in your temple (Body).  Now, he allows you to make the choice of either letting him have control or you having control.  Letting the Spirit have control in your life is called being spirit filled.  Don’t just let the Holy Spirit be a tenant, but rather make Him your landlord!  C.)  Is there room in thy father’s house?  On a totally different application, I want to say, there is always room in the Father’s house for one more sinner!  Many lost sinners think that they don’t deserve to go to heaven (and they are correct) and that God doesn’t want them to be saved (they are incorrect.)  None of us deserve heaven, we are all hell deserving sinners, but Jesus died for the whole world and wants you to go to heaven.  He wants you to be saved and cleansed of your sin-stain.  There is room in my father’s house for one more child!

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