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.   

Genesis 24:17

Vs.17- “And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.”- The servant’s prayer was that the Lord would reveal the right woman to him.  He prayed, “let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down  thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also:  let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac.”  Rebekah has come out to the well and drawn water and is returning to her family.  The servant, upon noticing this, ran quickly to meet her.  He had just prayed for God’s guidance and now he wanted to put this woman to the test.  He asked her for water from his pitcher.  He did not ask her because he was thirsty, but because he was testing her to see if she was the one appointed for Isaac.

 

One-Line Explanation- The servant runs to Rebekah and asks for water.

 

Lesson:  1.)  “The servant ran to meet her.”  We have seen some wonderful characteristics concerning God’s will and man’s responsibility in through the life of this servant.  The servant was… A.)  Submissive to his master’s will.  We also should submit to whatever God has for us.  B.)  Specific with his prayer request.  He was seeking God’s will while following his master’s bidding.  This was not selfish praying, but was supplication for another.  He asked God for something specific and was looking for God’s answer.  C.)  Swift in doing his part.  The servant ran to meet Rebekah.  He did not walk or jog.  He was quick to do his part.  I am amazed at people who are supposedly seeking God’s will for their life, but they just pray and then sit around and do nothing.  While waiting on God to answer our prayers, we should be quick to respond to anything and everything that may be God’s leading.  For example, I went to college with many men who were seeking a godly wife.  This was an honorable request.  The bible says that he that finds a wife finds a good thing.  They would pray and pray and pray and pray.  Some of them are still at college today, praying for a wife.  They never spoke with any of the young ladies!  I guess they were expecting God to just throw their future spouse into their laps.  Abraham was praying for a wife for his son, but he sent a servant to his home land.  He did something about the situation.  He did his part and trusted the Lord to do the rest.  He did what he could do and trusted the Lord to do what he could not.  The servant was praying for God to help him find a wife for his servant, but he ran to meet the first woman he saw.  When I was single, I was praying for the Lord to send me a wife, but I was also keeping an eye out and trying to meet people.  I knew God would do His part, but I wanted to make sure that I did my part.  By the way, God did His part in your salvation by dying on the cross for your sins.  You must do your part and trust Him as your Saviour if you want to spend eternity in heaven!  The servants running revealed a few things.   i.)  Faith.  He was revealing that he trusted God to answer his prayer.  The old saying is, “IF you really believe God is going to answer your prayer for rain then bring an umbrella.”  Some people reveal that they don’t trust God to answer their prayers because they never look for an answer to their request.  The servant prayed and was expecting God to answer.  He was looking for the answer and ran to find out if Rebekah was the answer to his prayer.   When you pray for God to allow you to win someone to Christ, do you run to the telephone to call them?  Do you run to the next opportunity to go soul-winning because you are confident that God will answer your prayer?  Are you looking at people throughout the day and wondering, “Is that my divine appointment for the day?”  We say we believe, but if we do not run looking for the answer then we are just deceiving ourselves.  ii.)  Sincerity.  Running to meet this woman revealed that the servant was sincere in his desire to find a wife for his master’s son.  If someone tells me they want help with something, but they don’t make it a priority to quickly get the problem resolved; it reveals to me that they aren’t that sincere.  If you are a young person in a relationship, it is not a good sign if you call or text your courting partner and they don’t respond for hours at a time consistently.  If they are consistently slow in contacting you then they are not sincere.  When I was courting my wife, I could not wait to talk with her.  I was always looking at my phone to see if she called or texted me.  If I was unable to contact her at the time, then I would call her back as soon as I was able.  I was sincerely in love with her!  If you pray that God would bless your church, but you don’t run at every opportunity to serve in the church then you are not sincere.  If you pray for souls to be saved, but you do not run at every opportunity to be a witness then you are not sincere.  If you claim that you love the USA, but don’t run to the voting polls then you are not sincere.  The servant sincerity was proven by his haste.              

2.)  The servant asked for water, not because he was thirsty, but because he was testing Rebekah to see if she was the one.  God did not ask Adam a question in the Garden of Eden because He didn’t know the answer.  He asked Adam a question to test Adam.  God doesn’t tempt his servants, but He sure does test them.  God asks us to give our tithes and offerings.  Does God need our money?  No, God does not need our money just as this servant did not need Rebekah’s water.  God asks us to give our money to show and display and prove our love for Him.  Tithing is a test of your love for God and you are faced with that test every time you get a paycheck.  The servant, a type of the Holy Spirit, asked her to give something and, as we will find out, she did give without hesitation or reservation.  When the Spirit asks you to give something, just be obedient and follow His leading. 

Genesis 24:16

Vs.16- “ And the damsel was very fair to look upon,”- Rebekah was a very good looking young lady.

 “a virgin, neither had any man known her:”-  Rebekah was pure.  She had kept herself and been chaste. 

  “and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.”- Apparently they had to descend to get to the well.  It was down in a low spot.  The Bible tells us that she went down to the well, quickly filled her pitcher with water for her family’s needs, and then ascended back up from the well and started back home.  Rebekah did not stop to commune with the other ladies drawing water, but she was diligent about her business. 

 

One-Line Explanation- Rebekah, a beautiful virgin, gets water from the well.

 

Lesson:  We see a few characteristics of Rebekah in this verse.  We can apply these characteristics two ways.  i.)  Practically.  What characteristics should I look for in a potential mate?  ii.)  Picturesquely.  Rebekah, the bride, is a picture of the bride of Christ, the church.  1.)  Beauty.  A.)  Rebekah’s name means ‘ensnared by beauty.’  In this verse she is said to be very fair to look upon.  We understand that beauty isn’t everything and this is not the only characteristic or the main characteristic that a person should look for in a potential mate.  Pro.31:30- Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:  but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.  Many people marry on the basis of beauty alone and this is dangerous, however, I don’t believe it’s unspiritual to desire to be attracted to your lifelong mate.  The book Song of Solomon is about the relationship a man and a woman should have in marriage.  Over and over again in that book they praise each other’s beauty.  They were attracted to one another.  Psa.37:4- Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  I believe that God will give you a marriage partner that you are attracted to.  We don’t need to make an important decision of who to marry based on beauty alone, but it is not necessarily wrong to desire to be attracted to the one you will marry.  You will have to wake up to that individual for the rest of your life!  I have learned that people are different and different people are attracted to different things.  Some people really don’t care about looks and beauty at all.  God knows what we need and I believe He will lead us to the perfect partner for marriage if we will delight in Him.

 I had many different people trying to ‘hook me up’ throughout my college years.  I was told that I was too picky.  Finally one of my preacher friends asked, “What are you looking for a Sunday school super model?”  After Kim and I were engaged, I introduced her to this particular preacher friend.  He said to me, “Well, I didn’t think you could pull it off, but you found her.  You found your Sunday School super model.”  I wasn’t just looking for a beautiful woman, but it was a characteristic on my list!  I would tell people that I was looking for the holy trinity of courting.  We all have a body, soul, and spirit.  The body is the physical part of us, the soul is the mind, will, and emotions, and the spirit is the part of us that communes with God.  I was looking for a woman that was strong in all three areas.  I wanted her to be attractive (body), to be intelligent and able to carry on a good conversation (soul), and to be saved and love the Lord (spirit).  B.)  The bride of Christ is a beautiful thing.  Eph.5:25-27- Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Vs.26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Vs.27)That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.  The Bride of Christ is a glorious church that doesn’t have any spot, wrinkle, or blemish.  She is a very beautiful bride to look upon indeed!  The church is a local assembly of born again baptized believers.  One day all of the believers will be assembled together in what the Bible calls a glorious church.  This church is made up of all of the believers of all ages.  We as believers were once wretched and vile in our sins.  We were polluted in our own blood and our righteousnesses were as filthy rags in God’s sight, but now through the cleansing of His blood and His Word we are made beautiful and without blemish. 

2.)  Purity.  She was a virgin that had not known man.  A.)  A very vital characteristic in searching for a life-long partner is this characteristic of purity.  It is very important that young people are taught and encouraged to stay pure until the day they make their marriage vows.  We are told in our day and time that it is impossible for young people to stay pure so we need to encourage them to be safe.  Safe sex is not the message; abstinence until marriage is the message.  It is not abnormal or impossible for a young person to keep themselves until marriage.  Parents can promote this in many ways.  i.)  Don’t allow your children to date until they are ready to marry.  Why do we encourage our children to date when they are still in High School?  Do they have a job?  Are they ready to provide for a wife?  They don’t need to be dating or courting (whatever word you want to use) until they are ready to marry.  A young person that is not ready to marry is also not mature.  An immature person does not need to be dating.  There is a reason that a young person has to be a certain age before they can drive.  It is dangerous to put someone behind the wheel that is too young and immature.  It is just as dangerous to their spiritual well-being and to their future to allow them to date when they are not old enough and mature enough.  Ii.)  Chaperone the date.  Don’t allow your unmarried child to go on dates alone.  You are putting them in a position to feed their flesh.  The Bible says not to make provision for the flesh.  We don’t need to put our young people in a position that will be tempting to them.  Just go along for the ride and the temptation will be removed.  Iii.)  Educate your children.  I stayed pure because of obedience to my parents and love for my Lord, but also because of fear.  STD’s are God’s judgment upon those who live in immorality.  A lesson on AIDS and herpes will go a long way in keeping your child pure.  More important than a lesson on the repercussions of sin is simply a lesson on what God’s Word says about the issue.  Teach your children over and over again what God says about the issue.  This subject needs to be hammered into the minds of our young people on a consistent basis.  Let your children know that you are teaching them these principles because you love them and it is in their best interest to wait until marriage.  Iv.)  Encourage purity.  Many fathers will give their daughters a purity ring or a purity bracelet.  It is a special event between a father and a daughter where the dad will present this ring to his daughter and take her out for a special dinner.  He will explain to her that she is to wear that ring and stay pure until she is given away in marriage.  The only time she is allowed to take off that ring is when her wedding ring replaces it.  She is to stay pure until the purity ring is exchanged for a wedding ring.  B.)  The Church is to be pure as well.  i.)  The Church is pure positionally. The church is a called out assembly of born again, baptized believers.  The church is made up of those that have been washed from their sins and are in Christ.  They are pure and clean in God’s sight.  Rev.21:27- And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.  Heaven is a perfect place and it is going to be inhabited by God’s pure and perfect church.  We are only pure through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  ii.)  The church is to be pure practically.  In a Jewish wedding the young man prepared a Ketubah, (Kit to bah) or marriage contract (or covenant) which he presented to the intended bride and her father. A price was paid which was appropriate in that society to compensate the young woman's parents for the cost of raising her, as well as being an expression of his love for her. (Jesus paid a price for His Bride!) To see if the proposal was accepted, the young man would pour a cup of wine for his beloved and wait to see if she drank it. This cup represents a blood covenant. If she drank the cup she would have accepted the proposal and they would be betrothed. (We must accept the shed blood of Christ for our sins.)  The young man would then give gifts to his beloved, and then take his leave. (We were given the gift of the Holy Spirit)  The young woman would have to wait for him to return and collect her.  The betrothal was binding and could only be undone unless by a divorce with proper grounds, such as the bride being found not to be pure, (see Joseph and Mary - Matt 1:18-19)  Before leaving the young man would announce, " I am going to prepare a place for you ", and "I will return for you when it is ready". (Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for us.)  The usual practice was for the young man to return to his father's house and build a honeymoon room there. This is what is symbolized by the chuppah or canopy which is characteristic of Jewish weddings. He was not allowed to skimp on the work and had to get his father's approval before he could consider it ready for his bride. If asked the date of his wedding he would have to reply, "Only my father knows." Typically it would be a year before he came for his bride.  Meanwhile the bride would be making herself ready so that she would be pure and beautiful for her bridegroom. During this time she would wear a veil when she went, out to show she was spoken for (she has been bought with a price) It was the custom for a bride to keep a lamp, her veil and her other things beside her bed. (Pictured in the parable of the ten virgins.)  Her bridesmaids were also waiting and had to have oil ready for their lamps. When the groom came, usually at night, they would light their lamps and begin a parade through town.  They would party for normally 7 days (Marriage supper of the Lamb).  At the end of the feast the marriage would be consummated.  

As a part of the bride of Christ, I have accepted Christ’s proposal for eternal life and have been saved.  Jesus has gone to prepare a place for me and will come again.  We do not know the day or the hour when He will return.  Until the time of His return, it is my responsibility to stay pure.  I am bought with a price, I am engaged to Christ; I have no business flirting with the world.  Paul said in .) 2 Cor.11:2- For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.  The church is to stay pure in multiple ways.  a.)  Doctrinally pure.  The church is the pillar and ground of the truth.  We are told in the book of Jude to earnestly contend for the faith.  In dealing with the 7 churches of Asia, Jesus rebukes the church of Pergamos for promoting the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans.  It has become popular in our day of ecumenicalism to just accept anything and anyone that claims the name of Jesus no matter what their doctrinal stance is.  In fact a person who takes a stand on doctrine is seen as hateful and divisive in modern Christendom.  It is important that our churches stay doctrinally pure.  b.)  Morally pure.  We are to let our light shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven.  Those that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel.  God’s will is our sanctification that we would abstain from fornication.  The church has become so worldly and ungodly.  We must reach the world, but not by becoming worldly.  Our churches are not only tolerating sin and worldliness in our day, but are actually promoting it!  We, as Christians, need to live holy and righteous lives.  We should not flirt with the world when we are espoused to Christ!  It is a shameful thing for a married man or a married woman to flirt with or have relations with an individual that is not their spouse.  Notice how James puts it in Jas.4:4- Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.  The church needs to keep herself pure and quit using the world’s music, the world’s style, the world’s language, the world’s philosophy’s, etc.  If you are a part of the bride then you need to be divorced from the world!!!  It is a shame to see so many pastors being exposed for sex perversion, fraud, deceit, scandals, etc.  We need a revival of holiness, decency, character, and morality in our churches. 

3.)  Diligence.  A.)  Rebekah’s diligence is seen in how she goes about doing her chores.  It was her responsibility, as it was with most women in that culture, to draw the water from the well for her family.  This was an important job that was entrusted to her and she was diligent in her responsibility.  Notice what the Bible says of a virtuous woman in Pro. 31:13-18- She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.  (Vs.14) She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. (Vs.15) She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. (Vs.16) She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. (Vs.17) She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. (Vs.18) She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. A virtuous woman is characterized as a woman who works hard, is diligent in her business and responsibilities to the family, and industrious.  When looking for a potential life partner you do not want someone who is lazy and slothful.  Ladies, if you want to be on welfare for the rest of your life then just marry a lazy man.  Our generation is filled with lazy men who sit around on the couch eating potato chips and cashing welfare checks while they play video games all day.  If a man doesn’t work neither should he eat.  If an individual is healthy and able to work then he needs to get his backside off of the couch and start filling out job applications.  I don’t understand how some of these women have any respect for their husbands.  In many situations the woman is working two jobs while the man is conquering Zelda!  Ladies, you don’t want a lazy man.  If he’s lazy and doesn’t have a job and won’t pick up after himself then just look the other way.  The same applies to men looking for a lady to marry.  Men, you don’t want to marry a lazy woman.  I believe in women being keepers at home.  Men, if you want a dirty house and neglected children, unwashed clothes, and a sink full of dishes then just marry a lazy woman.  A virtuous woman is diligent in taking care of the business of the family.  Rebekah is a virtuous woman.  She fulfilled her duties and did them quickly and efficiently.  B.)  The church should be diligent in its duties and responsibilities.  God has given us a job to do.  We have been given a commission.  We have been given the ministry of reconciliation.  We are to go and teach all nations, baptizing them, and discipling them.  Our Lord has placed responsibility in our hands and there will be a day of reckoning.  Jesus will return and we will be judged as Christians by what we have or haven’t done with the commission He has given to us.  Let’s be diligent today to give out the Gospel!

Genesis 24:15

Vs.15- “And it came to pass, before he had done speaking,”- The servant was praying in his heart and God answered his prayer before he had finished speaking to the Lord.  We are told in Isa.65:24- And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

“that, behold, Rebekah came out,”- God is orchestrating all of this.  While the servant is praying in his heart, Rebekah comes out of Haran at the usual time to draw water from the well.  The name Rebekah literally means to tie up or ensnare by beauty. 

“who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.”- Here we have the relationship given of Rebekah to Abraham.  Abraham’s brother is Nahor, Nahor’s wife is Milcah, and their son is Bethuel.  Bethuel is the father of Rebekah.  Bethuel is Rebekah’s father, Nahor and Milcah are her grandparents, and Abraham is her great uncle.  Abraham is the father of Isaac, Nahor and Milcah are his aunt and uncle, Milcah is also his cousin, Bethuel is his cousin, and Rebekah is his second cousin on both sides. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One-Line Explanation- God immediately answers the servant’s prayer by sending Rebekah.

 

Lesson:  1.)  ‘It came to pass, before he had done speaking.’  The servant’s prayer was being answered before he had finished asking.  We need to realize a few things in light of this.  A.)  God can answer your prayers before your done praying because He knows your need before you ask.  Mat.6:7- But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Mat.6:8- Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.  Our God is omniscient; that means He is All-Knowing.  He knows everything; He knows where you are and what you are in need of.  B.)  God is able to answer prayers quickly!  Psa.46:1- God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  It is a blessing to know that when you are in trouble and need help, God can hear you and help you faster than a 911 call.  God can hear your cry and answer your prayer immediately.  C.)  A delayed response does not mean God did not react to your call swiftly.  Dan.10:12- Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. Dan. 10:13- But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.  Daniel was heard and sent a response the first day he began praying, but it was 21 days later that he realized that truth.  D.)  God does not always answer swiftly.  God does everything in perfect timing.  It is not always God’s will or in the best interest of the person praying for their prayer to be answered immediately.  There was a request for Jesus to come to Lazarus for he was sick, but Jesus waited.  By the time Jesus got there, Lazarus had been dead for four days.  Others may have thought that Jesus was late, but He was right on time!  Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and did a great miracle.  We need to pray and then leave the timing up to God.  2.)  ‘Behold, Rebekah, came out.’  There are no such things as coincidences.  I don’t believe in luck or happenstance.  God is the sovereign ruler of the universe and nothing happens that He is not aware of.  It was not just luck or chance that Rebekah showed up at this time.  This was the providence of God.  It was not luck when I met my wife, but it was God leading us to one another.  It was not luck or chance that I ended up as the pastor of Berean Baptist Church.  Pray and seek God’s will and face and He will direct your paths.  He will lead people into your life and into your influence or he will lead you to others.  3.)  ‘With her pitcher upon her shoulder.’  Rebekah was coming to the well to draw water for her family as her custom was.  As we study Rebekah in this chapter we will find very honorable characteristics about her.  These characteristics are principles that single people should follow while seeking a spouse and should look for in a potential mate.  I see two great principles here.  A.)  Rebekah was a hard worker.  Ladies, you don’t wasn’t a lazy man and men you don’t want a lazy woman.  Rebekah was diligent in drawing water for her family’s needs.  Men need to have a job and be able to provide for a wife before they even consider courting a young lady.  B.)  Rebekah met her destiny concerning marriage while doing her every day duties.  Just serve God and do what is required of you and God will send the right person at the right time.  My wife and I both had to learn this lesson.  I was so worried about finding a wife that it consumed me.  I had finished college and had no prospects and I began to get a little desperate.  Finally, I decided to not worry so much about it and just serve the Lord.  My wife has a similar testimony.  She was dating a guy that she felt the Lord didn’t want her to be with.  She received council from her pastor and broke the relationship off.  Her pastor told her not to worry about finding someone and to just give herself to serving in the church.  We both made a decision to just serve God and let God bring the right person at the appropriate time.  We met each other not long after we had both made this similar decision.  She was serving in a small church in Mississippi and I was travelling as an evangelist.  I preached at her church and we began talking.  Nine months later we were married!  We all need to learn from Rebekah; just be busy doing what God would have you to do and He will bring things to pass.  This principle applies to other areas besides courting/dating.  Many people are frustrated trying to find out what God’s specific will is for their life.  They want to serve God as maybe a missionary or a church planter or in youth work.  They are confused over specifics and locations.  Where should I serve and in what capacity?  My advice is simple this:  Just do what you know you’re supposed to do in the spot God has currently placed you at.  Be a witness where you are at, be a student of the Bible where you are at, get plugged in at the church you are at.  God will bring the right people and opportunities into your life at the appropriate times.  We just need to be busy doing our duty.  4.)  Rebekah means ‘ensnared by beauty.’  You may laugh at this point, but I like the fact that God didn’t choose out an ugly woman for Isaac.  Rebekah is described as being beautiful later in the book of Genesis and her very name means beauty.  The point is this:  When God orchestrates something on our behalf, He doesn’t give us second best or second rate.  I used to ask the question as a young man seeking God’s will in finding a mate; I would asks, “What if it’s God’s will for me to marry an ugly woman?”  Psa.37:4- Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  God promised that if we would delight in Him then He would give us the desires of our heart.  I gave myself to serving God and delighted in Him and He did just that.  God gave me the desire of my heart when He gave me my lovely wife.  She is everything and more than I ever wanted in a wife.  We are so afraid to follow God’s will because we think we know what we want and we think that we know better than God.  Just trust the Lord and realize that God knows what is best for you and He will never give you second best.