Genesis 24:29-31

Vs.29- “And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban:” We are introduced to Rebekah’s brother, Laban.  We will become well acquainted with this man as we study through the book of Genesis.  As far as we know, he is the only brother of Rebekah.  It is evident at this time that Laban is the spokesman for the family instead of his elderly father. 

“and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.”- The servant did not follow Rebekah to her home.  He waited for her to run home and get permission from her family.  He expected that if the family was willing to allow him to lodge with them then they would return and fetch him.  It was a custom at this time and in this area to be hospitable to travelers.  After hearing Rebekah’s report, Laban runs to meet the man at the well.  Unfortunately, it is rather clear that his motivation in meeting the man was not hospitality or generosity, but rather covetousness and greed as is abundantly clear in the following verse and all other scripture describing this man.

Vs.30- “And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister’s hands,”- This is the motivation behind Laban running to meet the servant.  Rebekah had beautiful and expensive gifts given to her and Laban ran to meet the servant hoping that by showing generosity he too would receive some form of reward. 

“and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me;”-The servant has asked Rebekah concerning her family and lodging.  Rebekah rehearsed the words of the servant into the ears of her mother.  Laban overheard all that was said.  Laban’s thoughts probably went something like this, “A rich man’s servant is seeking out our family and needs a place to stay.  He is also giving out expensive gifts!  What an opportunity to get something for myself.  I’m going to run down there and be the first one to greet him as the family’s spokesperson and extend an invitation to stay with us.  Surely he will reward me just like he did my sister.”

“that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.”- He ran to meet the servant by the well because of the gifts he saw and the opportunity he heard presented by his sister, Rebekah.

Vs.31- “And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the Lord; wherefore standest thou without? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.”- Laban comes to the well and praises the servant by calling him blessed.  He then asks him why he has not followed his sister Rebekah to the house.  I don’t believe this is a rebuke by Laban, but rather an invitation to no longer delay in coming to the house.  He then makes it clear that he is extending an invitation by telling the servant that he has a place for him and the camels.  Laban was saying something like this, “Hello servant, you are such a wonderful man.  God has obviously blessed you and your Master.  What are you doing standing around here for?  Let’s go to the house.  I’ve got a room set up for you and a separate room set up just for your camels.”  Can you see how Laban is laying it on thick?  He is motivated by money!

 

One-Line Explanation- Laban runs to meet the servant at the well when he sees the gifts and hears the report of his sister.

 

Meaning of Names and Terms:

1.      Laban- White, shining.

 

Lesson:  Laban, the brother of Rebekah, ran to the servant and showed hospitality, generosity, and kindness.  He did this, however, not out of the goodness of his heart, but rather in expectation of monetary gain.  Motivation is a big deal.  It is not only important what you do, but why you do it.  Here are a few wrong reasons to do something.  1.)  Praise.  Jesus rebuked the hypocritical religious leaders of his day because they did the right thing, but they did it to be seen of men.  Mat.6:5-6- And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are:  for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.  Verily I say unto you, Thy have their reward.  (Vs.6) But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.  Be careful that your motivation is serving Christ is not to be praised by others.  2.) Payback.  Laban was only being hospitable to the servant in hopes of getting something in return.    Luke 14:12-14- Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee.  (Vs.13) But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:  (Vs.14) And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee:  for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.  These verses do not teach that you can’t have your friends and family over for dinner.  These verses are speaking about motivation.  Don’t do good things for someone just so you can be recompensed or rewarded.  Jesus taught us to do good for those who can’t reward us for our deeds.  Jesus promised that if we did such things then God himself would reward us in eternity.  Many preachers and Christians are doing the good work of the Lord, but their motivation is to make money.  We see this all of the time in the health, wealth, and prosperity preaching churches.  We need to make sure that our motivation is not monetary gain, but rather God’s glory.   3.)  Power/Prestige/Position.  Some people will do good things for certain people in power so that they can make it up the ladder of success.  This follows the same principle given in Luke 14:12-14.  The Bible says that God is no respecter of persons and is equally fair and good to all.  We are supposed to be like our heavenly Father.  We should do good unto all men no matter what they can do for us in return.  We should never expect anything in return.  We should do good for others because we want to please our heavenly Father and have the character of a true born again Christian.  We understand that God will reward us for our deeds.  We should not determine who we will be kind, generous, and helpful to on the basis of what we can gain from them.    

Genesis 24:28

Vs.28- “And the damsel ran,”- Rebekah told the servant that he could stay at her home.  She then runs home to tell her family about the events of the day.  1.)  The damsel ran.  Why did she run?  1.)  Inform.  She has invited this servant with his ten camels and probably ten men.  She ran to her family to let them know of the situation and to inform them that the men would be staying with them.  2.)  Excitement.  I’m sure she was thrilled at what had taken place.  Rebekah does not yet know why the servant has come on his long journey.  This man is obviously wealthy, he has given her an earring and two bracelets, and it would seem that he has come to them with some important business.  I can imagine her showing off her earring and bracelets to her mother in the tent.  3.)  Courtesy.   She ran so that all of the accommodations required for their guests could be taken care of immediately.  The servant and his caravan are waiting patiently out in the hot sun.  She was making sure everything was taken care of as quickly as possible so as to show courtesy and consideration to these men that had travelled so far and were tired and weary. 

“and told them of her mother’s house these things.”-  It is interesting to note that she ran to her mother’s house.  Some have speculated that her father, Bethuel is dead.  This conclusion is reached because of two reasons given in the passage.  1.)  Rebekah ran and told her mother’s house.  If her father was alive, then why didn’t she tell her father’s house?  The answer:  Women in those times and places would have their own separate tent, house, or apartment; see vs.67.  The young women would be freer to converse with their mothers than they would be with their fathers.  2.)  Some feel that her father may have been dead because her brother, Laban, takes control of the family business.  The answer:  A.)  Bethuel is mentioned in vs.50.  This fact alone clears up this misconception to me.  Some commentators have concluded that the Bethuel mentioned in Vs.50 is a brother that bears the name of his father.  This is a ridiculous notion.  There is nothing in the context to indicate such a notion.  B.)  The father, now very old, probably gave the reigns to family business over to his son.  Bethuel is Abraham’s nephew.  Abraham is now 140 years of age, therefore it is very conceivable to believe that Bethuel is over 100 years of age himself.   C.)  Laban, as we will see the more we study, is a deceptive and controlling man.  It is Laban’s nature to take control of the situation.  I have seen family gatherings where the patriarch of the family is about to die and calls the family together to discuss things with them and the eldest son ends up taking control of the situation.  It is very easy to believe that Laban, with his controlling and domineering personality, would take the lead in the home over his aging father.

 

One-Line Explanation- Rebekah runs to tell her mother the news.

 

Lesson:  The servant coming to Rebekah is a picture of the Holy Spirit calling out the Bride (the Church).  The Holy Spirit came to us and brought us to salvation.  What did Rebekah do after coming into contact with the servant?  She ran and told.  When the woman at the well met Jesus in John Ch.4, she immediately left her water pot and went to the city and told them about Christ.  The first thing a person should do after getting saved is go tell their family about what happened to them.  This should be a pattern for the rest of our life as a Christian.  We should run and tell people about the day we met the Lord.

Genesis 24:27

Vs.27- “And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth:”- Abraham’s servant praises the Lord out loud and thanks God for providing mercy and truth.  By mercy he speaks of God’s favor and kindness towards Abraham.  God showed mercy in prospering the way of the servant in this endeavor and kindness in providing a suitable wife for Isaac.  The provision of truth is speaking in particular of God’s promise to make a nation of people out of the seed of Isaac.  If Isaac is to be the line through which this nation is born then he must have a wife.  God has promised a blessed nation and a Saviour through the lineage of Abraham and Isaac.  God’s word is true and he will provide a way for truth.

“I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.”-  The servant also praises God for directing him and leading him to Isaac’s family in Mesopotamia.  ‘I being in the way’ speaks of following God’s direction and seeking God’s direction.  He was sent by his master to the land of Mesopotamia and while he was pursuing a wife for his master’s son, God directed his steps.

 

One-Line Explanation:  The servant praises God for mercy, truth, and direction.

 

Meaning of Names and Terms:

1.      Destitute- Not having or possessing; wanting; as destitute of virtue, or of peity; destitute of food and clothing. It differs from deprived, as it does not necessarily imply previous possession.

 

Lesson:  1.) “Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham.”  When he says, “Blessed be the Lord God,” the sense is that of extolling, praising, or magnifying.  Because of God’s favor and provision for him he praised, extolled, and magnified the Lord in front of the others.  A.)  His Declaration.  The servant was declaring to all those present that the God he served was a wonderful God worthy of praise, worship, honor, majesty, and glory.  We should be declaring the goodness of God.  Some may say, “Well, I just worship God in my heart.”  That sound spiritual, but the Bible says in Heb.13:15- By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.  God expects us to praise Him with our lips.  We should magnify and praise the Lord to our children, to our co-workers, to our friends, to our neighbors, and to all we are in contact with.  B.)  His Designation.  The servant makes it clear which God he is speaking of.  In vs.12 I mentioned how Jehovah God is called the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob throughout scripture.  This is a term of designation.  We live in a day where we are told to pray and speak in general terms so as to not offend anyone.  Preachers are asked to pray at political gatherings and are instructed not to pray in the name of Jesus, but to just use the generic term “God.”  This is done so that when the generic title is used a Muslim will not be offended because the individual praying could be speaking to Allah, or some other religionist would feel that their deity is the one being addressed.  I believe, however, in terms and titles of distinction because the Bible is clear on the subject.  We are to worship Jesus, pray to Jesus, and praise the name of Jesus.  The Scripture is clear on the fact that God’s name is precious and to be honored.  The servant said, “Blessed be the Lord (Jehovah) God (Elohim) of my master Abraham.”  Jehovah, translated ‘Lord’, is the national name of God in Israel.  Elohim, translated ‘God’, is the generic term usually used for the one true God, but sometimes used for false gods.  The servant distinguishes who he is speaking of in two ways.  i.)  By using the national proper name of God.  He blesses Jehovah God.  ii.)  By clarifying that the God he blesses is the God of Abraham.  This would be like a modern day Christian saying, “Praise the Lord Jesus Christ of the Bible.”  There would be no doubt who we were speaking of.  2.)  “Who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth.”  Abraham was not lacking in mercy or in truth.  When we think of the word destitute, we think of lacking food, clothing, or other physical necessities of life, but we rarely think of being spiritually destitute.  The riches of this world are temporal, but the true riches in Christ are eternal.  We thank God for giving us monetary blessings, and we should, but we rarely give thanks for the spiritual blessings of God.  The servant praised God for three things.  A.)  Mercy.  Mercy is that benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant. In this sense, there is perhaps no word in our language precisely synonymous with mercy. That which comes nearest to it is grace. It implies benevolence, tenderness, mildness, pity or compassion, and clemency, but exercised only towards offenders. Mercy is a distinguishing attribute of the Supreme Being.  As wicked, depraved sinners that have violated the law of God, we deserve nothing but hell and judgment; but God, through His sacrifice on the cross, has given us mercy.  By trusting Christ as our Saviour we receive mercy instead of what we rightly deserve.  I deserve nothing from God; therefore, anytime God shows me kindness and blessing, He is extending mercy.  We should constantly praise God for His mercy on us.  B.)  Truth.   What is truth?  God’s Word is truth.  John 17:17- Sanctify them through thy truth:  thy word is truth.  Psa.119:160- Thy word is true from the beginning:  and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.  What is truth?  Jesus is truth incarnate.    John 14:6- Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:  no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  What is truth?  Truth is absolute.  Many believe today that truth is relative.  Relative truth is defined as truth that is true at only one time and at one place.  It’s true to some people and not to others.  It’s true now but it may not have been true in the past and it may not be again in the future, it’s always subject to change.  It is also subject to perspective of people.  Absolute truth is defined as follows; whatever is true at one time and at one place is true at all times and at all places.  What is true for one person is true for all persons.  Truth is true whether we believe it or not.  Truth is discovered or it is revealed, it is not invented by a culture or by religious men.  The Bible is absolute truth and we should thank God every day that we have truth.  C.)  Direction.  The servant praised the Lord for directing his steps and leading him.  We are simple sheep following the Good Shepherd.  We should praise the Lord for directing us and leading us in the right way.  3.)  “I being in the way.”  This is a great statement!  It was God that blessed the servant and prospered his way, but the servant put himself in position to be blessed.  The truth is simply this:  You do what you can do and trust God to do what you can’t do.  You have to make the first step.  God won’t do for you what you can do for yourself.  James 4:8- Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you…  There are hundreds of verses similar to this one in Scripture.  These are cause and effect verses.  If we draw nigh to God then he will draw nigh to us.  If you delight yourself in God then he will give us the desires of our hearts (Psa.37:4).  If we seek first God’s kingdom, then all of these things will be added unto us (Matt.6:33).  If you want God’s blessings and leading then you must position yourself to be blessed by God.  God won’t bless you if you are living in sin or if you are lazy and not following Biblical principles.  The servant needed God’s help in finding a wife for Isaac, but he had to do his part.  He had to load the camels, travel 400 miles to Mesopotamia, pray, etc.  You say, “I need God to give me a good job to take care of my family.”  Alright, then I suggest that you send out your resume, fill out applications, get on-line and find a job, and pray.  Do everything you can do and trust God to do the rest.  If you want God to use you in the area of evangelism, then you need to get your fishing pole in the water.  You need to be in the way.  You need to have tracts in your pocket, you need to pray for divine appointments, you need to be looking for opportunities to witness, you need to go with your church on their designated soul-winning day.  We can’t make anybody get saved, but we won’t see anybody saved if we aren’t ‘in the way.’  Elisha would not leave Elijah’s side.  On three different occasions Elijah told Elisha to tarry or wait while he went somewhere.  Elisha responded by saying he would not leave Elijah’s side.  2 Kings 2:9-10- And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

(Vs.10) And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.  Elisha would not leave Elijah’s side and he was eventually blessed because of it.  Elisha was positioning himself for blessing.  He was making sure that he was ‘in the way.’  I thought of a few ways to be ‘in the way.’  A.)  Be at church.  The church is God’s idea and it is commanded that you attend.  You cannot have God’s blessings on your life if you are not ‘in the way’ at church.  Position yourself for blessing and be at church this Sunday.  B.)  Be ‘in the way’ at your church’s soul-winning program.  Our church has a set time to go into our community and give out the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  God has promised to bless those that give out the Gospel.  C.)  Be ‘in the way’ in the area of relationships.  Pro.13:20- He that walketh with wise men shall be wise:  but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.  If you want to position yourself for God’s blessings on your life then make sure you hang around the right crowd that won’t cause you to forfeit God’s best for your life.  D.)  Be ‘in the way’ when it comes to God’s will.  If God calls you to be a missionary to Nicaragua then the best thing you can do is follow God’s will.  Jonah was called to go preach to Nineveh, but instead he ran from God’s will and fled to Tarshish.  God prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah and readjust his attitude.  God had a plan for Jonah, but he did not want to be ‘in the way.’  Wherever God leads he will provide.  We worry about how we are going to make it financially, or how we will cope in a different culture, or how we will make it in a different climate, or how we will survive in a third world country, etc.  Wherever God calls you to go, just obey and go.  It is our job to simply ‘be in the way’ and God will lead us and guide us as he did this servant. 

Genesis 24:26

Vs.26- “And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the Lord.”- Abraham’s servant has promised his master that he would seek a wife for his son, he has travelled hundreds of miles on camelback to seek this wife, he has prayed and God has answered his prayer and led Rebekah to him.  The servant questions Rebekah to see if she qualifies and she has all of the necessary qualifications.  The servant is overwhelmed by God’s provision and direction; he bows his head and he worships the Lord.

 

One-Line Explanation:  Abraham’s servant worships God.

 

Lesson:  We learn much about worship in this short verse.  1.)  The Purpose of worship.  Why was the servant worshipping God?  A.)  He worshipped God for Providential Direction.  The Lord led him to Rebekah.  We too should worship God for his directing, leading, and guiding in our lives.  I praise the Lord today for how He led me to the right Bible College, He led me to my wife, and He led me to pastor Berean Baptist Church.  The Lord has never steered me wrong and I worship Him today for His divine providence and leading in my life!  B.)  He worshipped God for Prayers Answered.  The servant prayed a specific prayer concerning finding a wife for Isaac and God answered his prayer.  I worship the Lord today for prayers He has so graciously answered in my life.  I could spend hours testifying of the many prayers God has answered in my life.  What a wonderful reason to worship God!  C.)  Provision.  God has seemingly directed his steps and provided a wife for his master’s son.  I worship God for His provision in my life.  He has taken care of my every need and supplied my wants and desires as well.  We have struggled many times financially in the process of starting a church, but every time we have needed something, God has provided.  We worship and thank God for providing our daily bread, for giving us raiment (Clothes) to wear, for giving us a roof over our head, a vehicle to drive, and temporal money to use for His glory.   D.)  Prosperity.  God had seemingly prospered his way.  He found success in the task he was given.  I worship and thank God for the growth of Berean Baptist Church.  I praise Him for every soul saved, believer baptized, and family that joins.  God has prospered and grown this ministry and we worship God for the prosperity He gives us in the task.  2.)  The Posture of worship.  The word worship means “ to depress, that is, prostrate (especially reflexively in homage to royalty or God): - bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship.”  You do not have to bow to worship God, but it is an appropriate posture for worship.  Bowing illustrates a few things.  A.)  Humility.  God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.  The Bible speaks over and over again about God’s hatred for pride.  We are told to worship God in humility.  By bowing in worship, we symbolically state before God that we are not coming to Him with a heart full of pride, but rather with an awareness of our unworthiness.  B.)  Reverence.  Reverence is said to be fear mingled with respect and esteem.  Reverence is an act of respect and obeisance.  When we bow before God as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, we are signifying that we understand that He is to be feared as the judge of all the earth, respected as the King of the universe, and honored for His character of perfection and holiness.  C.)  Submission.  The lesser always submits to the greater.  By bowing our heads to God, we are signifying that we understand that He is the Creator and we are the created, He is God and we are man, He is holy and we are sinful, He is King and we are servants.  This is why we bow our heads and pray.  We are humbling ourselves before God, reverencing God, and displaying our submission to God.   3.)  The Presence of Worship.  The servant was not in the tabernacle, the temple, a synagogue, or at church.  You don’t have to be in corporate worship to worship God.  The act of worship should be a daily occurrence in the life of a believer.  God is always with us and we can worship Him at all times.  God’s presence is there and therefore we can worship God wherever we are.  Our children should see us worship God in the vehicle, at the house, in church, at the workplace, etc.  Worshipping God is something that we should be doing constantly. 

Genesis 24:24-25

Vs.24- “And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.”- Rebekah answers the first question.  Her father is Bethuel and her grandparents are Milcah and Nahor.  Nahor is Abraham’s brother and Milcah is his niece.  Bethuel is Abraham’s nephew.  The answer to this question reveals to the servant that Rebekah is qualified to be Isaac’s wife.  Apparently, Abraham’s servant had a great knowledge of his master’s family tree. 

 

One-Line Explanation- Rebekah answers the first question concerning her pedigree.

 

Lesson:  1.)  This servant knew his master’s family very well.  He had a working knowledge of Abraham’s family tree.  He knew by Rebekah’s answer that she was a part of Abraham’s family.  The Holy Spirit knows who is a part of God’s family.  How does He know?  The Holy Spirit is involved in bringing us into the family.  John 3:8- The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.  The Holy Spirit convicts, regenerates, adopts, and seals the believer.  Rom.8:15- For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  By God’s Spirit we have been born into God’s family and by God’s Spirit we have been adopted into God’s family!  There are only two ways to become a legal part of a family and I can claim both of them in regards to being a part of God’s family!  The fact that I was born into God’s family reveals that suffering took place.  A woman suffers the pain and travail in bringing a child into this world.  Jesus suffered on the cross of Calvary so that I could be born again!  The fact that I was adopted into God’s family reveals that selection took place.  When we adopted our son, we chose to make him a part of our family.  Many people decide to adopt.  They will go to an agency and will begin the process of choosing a child to adopt.  Eph.1:4-5- According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Vs.5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.  This truth does not mean that God chooses some to go to hell and some to go to heaven and the individual is unconditionally elected to eternal salvation or eternal suffering and there is nothing they can do about it either way.  This is the popular Calvinistic view.  We have been chosen in him.  God has chosen His Son Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven.  It has been predetermined that those who get saved will be adopted into His family!  If you trust Christ as your Saviour then you are in Christ and if you are in Christ then it has been predetermined or predestined that you will be a son of God through adoption.  2.)  Not only does the Spirit of God know who God’s children are, but He reveals to us if we are God’s children or not.  Rom.8:16- The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.  Do you struggle with knowing for sure that you are saved?  Do you struggle with knowing for sure you are a part of the family?  God has given us an inner witness that we are God’s children.  Does the Holy Spirit speak to you?  Does the Holy Spirit convict you?  Does the Holy Spirit lead you?  This is evidence that you are God’s child!  The servant, the Holy Spirit, knows who is in the Master’s family!

 

 

Vs.25- “She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.”- Rebekah answers the second question.  She says that they have provision for the camels and a place for the people.  This was a caravan of people and camels to take care of.  Remember, there are ten camels and probably ten men.  Many people would not have been able to host such a crowd, but Rebekah said that her family was able.  The straw was for the camels to sleep on and the provender is the food for the camels. 

 

One-Line Explanation- Rebekah answers the second question concerning a place to stay. 

 

Meaning of Names and Terms

1.      Provender- Dry food for beasts, usually meal, or a mixture of meal and cut straw or hay. In a more general sense, it may signify dry food of any kind.

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!

Genesis 24:22

Vs.22- “And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight,”- When Rebekah had given the camels enough water to satisfy their thirst, the servant gave her an earring.  This piece of jewelry was made of half a shekel of gold.  A shekel of gold translates to about $1,920 in our currency.  So, half of a shekel would be worth around $960.  This was quite a gift to be given for simply watering some camels!

“and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;”- The servant also gave Rebekah two bracelets that totaled ten shekels of gold.  I would assume that they were five shekels a piece, but we do not know.  The bracelets value would then be estimated at around $19,200! 

 

One-Line Explanation- The servant gives Rebekah an earring and two bracelets.

 

Lesson:  1.)  It pays to serve.  Rebekah did not know that she was going to be rewarded for her actions.  She was simply acting according to her character.  She was a woman with a servant’s heart and she responded to the request of this servant.  After watering the man’s camels, she was rewarded with golden gifts amounting to approximately $20,160 in value!  The old saying is ‘You can’t out give God!’  Jesus said, “Give and it shall be given unto you.”  The Bible says that if we sow sparingly we will reap sparingly, but if we sow bountifully we will reap bountifully.  Whatever service we render to God will be rewarded.  It always pays to serve the Lord.  With that in mind, we need to be careful about our motivations.  Our motivation in serving God should never be about what we can get out of it.  I do not serve God for the monetary blessing I can get out of it, but I serve God because He is my master and I love Him!  God rewards proper actions and proper motives.  Rebekah displayed both in this story.  She served the servant of Abraham and was not thinking about a reward at all.  We need to just serve the Lord out of a pure heart and trust Him to take care of us.  He will reward us in due time.  2.)  The Holy Spirit gives valuable gifts!  Rebekah responded to the request of the servant and was rewarded with gifts.  The servant in this story is a type of the Holy Spirit of God.  When we get saved by responding to the wooing of the Holy Spirit, we then receive gifts from God.  We receive the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we receive spiritual gifts that we use to serve the Lord, and we receive the gift of eternal life.  3.)  Nose rings?  Most modern translations translate the Hebrew word “Nezem” in this passage as ‘nose ring.’  The King James Bible translates the word ‘earring.’  Many of the ancient commentators also have said that this ornament mentioned in this passage was a nose ring.  So which is it?  Is it a nose ring or an earring?  The word could be translated nose ring.  Why don’t we let the Bible define the Bible?  Gen.35:4- And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.  Exo.32:2-3- And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. (Vs.3) And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.  Both of these passages contain the Hebrew word “Nezem” which is again translated in the King James Bible as earring or earrings.  These passages, however, make it very clear that the intended meaning is for a jewel in the ears.  The Bible says, “…all their earrings (Nezem) which were in their ears.”  I have been reading commentaries that have said the word would be better translated ‘nose ring.’  The modern translations for the most part do translate the word Nezem in this passage as nose ring; however, as we search the Scriptures we find once again that the King James Bible is right and the other translations are wrong!  The Bible clearly says that Nezem is a jewel in the ear!  The modern liberals have used this verse to tell the young people that it’s ok to wear nose rings and look like some kind of a punk rocker.  I study this verse and am once again convinced that the King James Bible is the Word of God and the other ‘translations’ are cheap imitations.