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. 

Genesis 24:21

Vs.21- “And the man wondering at her held his peace,”- The servant is pondering and speculating the events that have just transpired.  He is wondering about… 1.)  The attributes of this young lady.  She has been courteous, humble, willing to serve, diligent, and quick in her service.  Numerous positive qualities have been displayed by this woman in a short matter of time.  2.)  The providence of God.  Providence is the care and superintendence which God exercises over His creation.  God oversees and orchestrates events to bring to pass His will.  He does this many times in accordance to the prayers of His children.  The servant’s prayer was that the Lord would lead him to the right woman for his master’s son and that the Lord would make it evident by having this woman perform certain tasks.  Rebekah was placed in the path of the servant and has performed every duty the servant requested in prayer to the Lord.  Now he is in deep thought as to whether the Lord has truly answered his prayer.  Could it be a coincidence that all of these things have come to pass just as he had prayed for them to?  Could it be that Rebekah was the answer to his prayer?  3.)  The next step.  The servant is probably thinking, “If she is the one, then what do I do now?”  He is determining in his mind if she is truly the one and if he should pursue this further.

“to wit whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.”- ‘To wit’ or ‘if’ the Lord had made his journey prosperous.  His contemplation was on whether or not God had truly prospered him in his journey.

 

One-Line Explanation:  The servant wonders whether Rebekah is an answer to prayer or not. 

 

Lesson:  1.)  How do I know?  The servant prayed a specific prayer.  His prayer was that God would reveal the woman for Isaac to him by having her give him something to drink and offering water to his camels as well.  Soon after his prayer, Rebekah has come on the scene and fulfilled everything the servant prayed for and she has done so with an excellent spirit and has revealed an impeccable character.  Yet, through all of this, the servant still wonders and speculates whether she is the one or not.  I have been here many times.  I think this is just human nature.  We are prone to doubt and debate in our minds.  I have prayed specific prayers also, and God has answered those prayers just as I desired, but yet I struggled in my mind whether it was really the Lord or if it was just circumstances.  There are a few indicators here that tell us how the servant knew these events were God’s providence in answer to prayer and not merely circumstance.  A.)  The events that transpired.  You could probably debate whether it was circumstance or not concerning Rebekah’s willingness to give the servant a drink of water upon his request, but the fact that she offered his camels drink as well, just as he had prayed, is not usual.  For example, I was working at a church in Lewisville, TX.  The church was an older church and was in need of a renewed vision for reaching the younger generation.  The pastor put me in charge of the scheduled soul-winning my first week at the church.  I scheduled the soul-winning time for 10:00 AM on Saturday.  I was praying all week that God would help us to get some young people into our church.  I drove to the church that morning and every route to the church was blocked off.  I had no idea what was going on.  I had to park a block away and walk to the church.  It just so happened that that morning was the high school parade through town.  The parade with all of the floats started right in front of our church and the road was blocked off.  I felt like such an idiot!  None of our soul-winners were going to be able to get to the church.  I waited at the church and sure enough no one showed up.  As I was sitting at the church feeling like a failure, a tornado siren went off and it began to rain very heavily.  Everyone was instructed to find shelter immediately.  The leaders of the floats came to me and asked if I would let the young people into the church.  I got out my key and opened the door and let in 300-400 teenagers.  God answered my prayer literally!  Through the duration of the storm I went from one group to another witnessing to them and inviting them to our church.  I have seen God work circumstances in my favor according to my prayers many times.  I don’t believe this was coincidence.  I believe it was the providence of God.  B.)  Timing.  The text seems to indicate that Rebekah showed up fairly soon after the servant’s prayer.  God will use timing to reveal His providence to us.  There have been many occasions that God has given us the money we needed right when we needed.  Couldn’t God give us the money earlier?  Yes, but then we wouldn’t know that it was God in His providence coming through for us.  God reveals Himself to us by coming through right on time.  God’s timing reveals God’s providence.  2.)  Give it some thought.  This servant is about to make a very important decision.  This decision involves the life partner of his master’s son.  It also involves choosing one of the matriarchs in the Messianic line.  The promise of blessing is through Isaac.  The servant has a very important job to do and a very important decision to make.  I do not criticize him for stopping for a second and thinking about what has transpired before he proceeds any further.  Don’t ever jump too hastily.  It is great wisdom to stop and think about your current situation and decisions that have to be made before you make an important decision.  Stop and think before you choose your career, stop and think before you pick the college you will spend the next four years or more, stop and think before you choose a life partner.  I am amazed at the women who marry abusive and ungodly men and say that they didn’t know him that well when they got married.  Shouldn’t you stop and think and consider such things before making such a monumental life decision?  I am convinced that the majority of sins committed would be avoided if the person involved would take a minute and consider the consequences before engaging in the activity.  Stop and ponder before you act.

Genesis 24:20

Vs.20- “And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all the camels.”- Rebekah was quick in her efforts to water the camels.  She went quickly and emptied her container into the camel’s trough and then ran to the well and got some more water.  She continued drawing water from the well until the camels were satisfied with water. 

 

One-Line Explanation:  Rebekah quickly retrieves water for the servant’s camels. 

 

Lesson:  1.)  “And she hasted…and ran again.”  Rebekah ran to obey the request of the servant and now she is running to draw water for his camels.  She was not lazy and she was not slothful.  When she engaged in a task, she did it to the best of her ability.  She got water to these thirsty camels as quick as possible.  When it comes to the service of the Lord, there are many lost souls out there in need of the water of life.  Jesus said that He is the water that would spring up in your soul to everlasting life.  The Bible says whosoever is thirsty can come and take of the water of life freely.  This world needs water!  Physically speaking, you cannot go long without water.  You can go long periods of time without food, but you cannot last long without water.  Water is essential to life and you need the everlasting water if you want to have everlasting life.  We don’t need to be slothful or lazy when it comes to getting people the water of life.  Jesus was busy.  He said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”(John 9:4)  We need to get the water of life to a thirsty world until it’s too late.  The King’s business requires haste!  2.)  “Emptied her pitcher.”  Rebekah emptied the pitcher of whatever was left after giving the servant a drink and then she ran back to the well to get more water and emptied her pitcher again.  She was constantly emptying her pitcher to satisfy the needs of others.  Jesus emptied himself in the sense that He gave everything for man to be saved.  Jesus was the pitcher that had the precious life giving substance; His Blood!  His vessel was broken on the cross and His blood was shed in its entirety to pay for the sins of mankind.  The Bible tells us in Phil.2:7- “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:..”  The Greek word translated ‘made himself o no reputation’ is kenoō.  kenoō literally means ‘to make empty.’  What did Jesus empty himself of?  He did not set aside His deity or His attributes, but rather He set aside His environment of glory.  He left the throne of worship to become a man and a servant.  He left a glorified body to be found in fashion as a man.  Jesus was willing to empty His pitcher so that we could have the water of life!  We too must be willing to empty ourselves if we wish to fill the water troughs of the world.  We must empty ourselves of ourselves.  We must be empty of pride and self-will if we wish to be used of God to satisfy a world that is Gospel parched.  3.)  “Ran again to the well.”  Rebekah continually ran to the well until the camels were satisfied.  She was not satisfied until everyone was satisfied.  We cannot get satisfied with those that we have won to Christ.  There are still millions ye billions of people that need to hear the Gospel.  After we have watered one camel we must go back to the well and draw water for the next.  We must do everything we can to get the Gospel to every creature!  Have you had the opportunity to lead someone to Christ at work?  Praise the Lord!  Now go back to the well and try to win someone else to Christ at work!  Have you been privileged to lead a family member to Christ?  Praise the Lord!  Now go and win another!  How long should we continue to draw water from the well?  Until there aren’t any more thirsty camels!  How long should we be a witness?  Until there aren’t any more lost people in the world.  4.)  “And drew for all the camels.”  She did not just draw water for the majority of the camels or for a select few.  Rebekah drew water for all of the camels.  There is a false teaching out there called Limited Atonement.  This doctrine teaches that Jesus only died for a few people.  You mean to tell me that Rebekah had more compassion on a bunch of donkeys than Jesus did on man that is created in His own image?  Notice this verse in Heb.2:9- But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  Do you know what this verse means?  It means that Jesus emptied His pitcher and He did it so that all of humanity could be saved.  Jesus loves the little children; all the children of the world!  He was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death; this is Jesus emptying Himself for us!  That he by the grace of God should taste death for every man; this is Jesus filling the spiritual trough of every camel with the water of life.  All the camel has to do is drink the water!  Jesus has supplied the water of life for every person.  All we have to do is take of the water of life freely!  You have the option to reject the water, but it has been made available for you! 

Genesis 24:19

Vs.19- And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.”- Rebekah gave this servant a drink of water at his request.  Thus she passed the first test.  Now she is out of water, yet she offers to return to the well and refill her pitcher to have some water to give to his camels.  She doesn’t ask the servant if his camels would like some water, she simply states that she is going to give them some water.  She must have been able to tell that the servant and his entourage had been on a long journey.  Rebekah went above and beyond what was asked of her and took initiative to draw water for the camels as well. 

 

One-Line Explanation- Rebekah offers to get water for the servant’s camels.

 

Lesson:  1.)  “I will draw water for thy camels also.”  This is going the second mile.  The servant asked Rebekah for a drink of water.  She did what was requested of her.  She then took the initiative to draw water for the camels also.  She was not asked by the servant to give his camels water.  This would be extra time and work for Rebekah.  She had to return to the well and draw water for the camels.  If giving the servant a drink of water emptied her pitcher then it would seem reasonable to assume that she has just offered to make multiple trips to the well.  She will be refilling her pitcher over and over and over again.  She was willing to go above and beyond what was expected of her.  We should learn from Rebekah and be second mile Christians.  Let’s not just do the bare minimum, but let’s do even more than what is required of us.  She saw a need and she filled that need without having to be asked.  If you see that helpers are needed at your church, don’t wait for the pastor to ask you to help, go ahead and volunteer.  If the church fellowship is over and the tables are dirty and chairs need to be moved, don’t wait for someone to ask for your help, just volunteer!  Rebekah was not asked to water the camels, but she noticed they were thirsty and took the initiative.  It was not required of her, but she saw a need.  This is another quality that a person should look for in a potential mate.  Look for someone that takes initiative; someone who sees a need and fills it.  2.)  “Until they have done drinking.”  Rebekah took initiative to water the camels.  Notice that she promised to continue drawing water in her pitcher for the camels until they have done drinking.  She was someone who finished the task she set out to accomplish.  Camels can drink a lot of water and this servant has ten camels with him.  She offered to waster the camels and she promised to water them until they had all that they needed.  Many people will offer to do things and will be faithful for a while, but when the task gets long and strenuous then they back out.  It is easy to make a commitment to your spouse to be faithful until death do you part, but when the rubber meets the road many people back out of their commitment.  It is easy to say that you will serve Jesus no matter what, but many who were once on fire for the Lord have quit and given up.  I don’t just want to be someone who offers to water the camels, but I want to be someone who will water them until they have done drinking.  I want to serve Jesus faithfully until my life is over.  I want to be faithful to my wife until death do us part.  I want to finish what I started. 

Genesis 24:18

Vs.18- “And she said, Drink, my lord:”- The servant’s prayer was that she would respond by giving him a drink and giving his camels a drink.  She has now passed test #1.  By saying, “Drink, my lord,” she was saying, “You are welcome to as much water as you need.”  She also called him lord.  This was an honorable title to give someone.  She may have called him lord as a habit of speaking respectfully or as a result of seeing the great entourage of men and camels that were with him.  This man, as the servant of a very rich master, probably looked the part and was easily recognizable and someone who was important. 

  “and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.”- The servant ran to meet Rebekah and she hasted to give him a drink of water.  She was quick to draw the water and now she is quick in responding to the request of this servant. 

 

One-Line Explanation- Rebekah gives Abraham’s servant a drink of water.

 

Lesson:  1.)  “Drink.”  This one word implies quite a bit in this verse.  A.)  Obedience.  She responded to the request made to her by the servant.  He asked for a drink and she responded to the request.  The Holy Spirit impresses upon a Christian’s heart to do things all the time.  The Holy Spirit may ask us to witness to someone or to give some money to someone or even lead us move somewhere different.  The Holy Spirit will convict us of our sin and lead us to get rid of worldly practices in our lives.  The Christian life can actually be summed up in this statement:  “Wherever He leads I will go, whatever He bids I will do.”   When the Holy Spirit deals with us we simply need to obey.  Rebekah was not expecting to be confronted by this servant on this particular day.  This servant interrupted her schedule, if you will, but she quickly responded to the request.  The Holy Spirit will interrupt our lives and schedules.  Here is an important thing to remember:  When the Holy Spirit interrupts your schedule, whatever He is leading you to do is more important than whatever you had planned on your schedule.  In other words, the Holy Spirit’s request always trumps your busy schedule!  Are you sensitive to the Holy Spirit?  Do you yield to Him when He is leading or do you fight and resist?  This is ever so important for the lost person.  Lost person, the Holy Spirit will invade your busy schedule when you are not expecting it and tell you that now is the accepted time, behold today is the day of salvation.  Don’t resist or reject the request of the Holy Spirit to be saved.  The Holy Spirit is compared to a wind in the Bible and the Holy Spirit of God will not always strive with man.  You better respond to the Spirit when He comes your way!  You may never get saved if you don’t get saved today!  B.)  Willingness.  The wording implies that she was basically saying, “Drink as much as you need.”  She was not only obedient to the request, but she was willing to give the servant whatever he needed or desired.  As we follow the Holy Spirit our attitude should be one of willingness.  Many Christians say they will follow God, but only so far.  Many preachers are even willing to go to any part of the US, but they are not willing to go to a foreign field.  What if God calls you to a third world country?  Are you willing to do whatever the Spirit lead and whatever God wants for your life?  Rebekah was willing to give the servant as much water as he desired.  We need to be willing to follow God no matter what He leads us to do or where He leads us to go.  2.)  “My lord.”  Two truths I see in this statement.  A.)  Respect.  Rebekah spoke to the servant using respectful terms of honor.  We would do well to go back to the days of saying, “Yes sir and no ma’am.”   We would do well to call our pastors by their title.  A pastor should not make a bid deal of being called by terms of honor and position, but a church member should be respectful of the office and use proper terms when addressing a man of God.  We should use terms of honor when speaking to Police Officers, government officials, and other areas of position and leadership.  We need to be respectful in our speech.  B.)  The Holy Spirit is GOD!  He is a part of the Godhead and He is not inferior to God the Father or God the Son.  The Hebrew word for lord is 'âdôn.  It is a word used to describe God many times.  The word means  ‘master, ruler, sovereign, one who is in control whether human or divine.”  The term is used for humans rulers or masters, but I think the application can be made concerning the servant as a type of the Holy Spirit in this passage.  The Holy Spirit is the Lord.  God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all three distinct yet all three are one.  The Holy Spirit is God and He is Lord.  3.)  “And she hasted.”  I like the fact that she not only responded, but she responded with haste.  I am somewhat pleased with my children when they obey, but I am thrilled to death when they obey immediately.  When she was asked for water she quickly obeyed the request of the servant.  When the Holy Spirit deals with us, we don’t need to be slack in our obedience.  Many times we are moved by the Spirit to witness to someone and we argue and struggle and resist until we finally give in and follow the command.  Many times our delayed obedience causes us to miss the opportunities that God had for us.  I was driving down the road once and the Holy Spirit began telling me to witness to someone on the side of the road.  I began to give my excuses to why I didn’t have time to stop.  I was basically arguing with God and continued driving.  I finally gave in and turned around, but this individual was no longer there.  My delayed obedience cost me the opportunity of a divine appointment.  We need to get in the habit of not only obeying, but obeying the Spirit quickly and immediately.