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Genesis Chapter
Twenty-Four
I.
Content of the Chapter
Abraham Sent His Oldest Servant to Take a
Wife for His Son Isaac
A. Abraham charged the old servant (v.1-9);
B. The old servant met Rebekah (v.10-27);
C. The old servant received the consent and
promise of the father and brother of Rebekah (v.28-60);
D. Isaac Rebekah (v.61-67);
II.
Verse by Verse Commentary
Gen.24:1 “Now Abraham was old, well advanced in
age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.”
YLT:
“And Abraham old, he hath
entered into days, and Jehovah hath blessed”
Literal
Meaning: “was
old, well advanced in age”,
he was about one hundred and forty years old at that time (Gen. 21:5; 25:20).
“And
the Lord
had blessed Abraham in all things”, it was a conclusion of the whole life of
Abraham. He always trusted in God and kept the commandment of God, so he was
blessed by God.
Enlightenment
in the Word: believers are a
blessed people, for God has always blessed us.
Gen.24:2 “So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under
my thigh,”
YLT:
“and Abraham saith unto his
servant, the eldest of his house, who is ruling over all that he hath, `Put, I
pray thee, thy hand under my thigh,”
The Background: in the ancient times, if one asked another
to put his hand under the speaker’s thigh, it was a serious oath that had to be
kept faithfully (see Gen. 47:29). The part that the hand touched was close to
the reproductive organs, which meant that if one disobeyed the oath,
he would be punished to be without offspring.
Literal
Meaning: “ruled
over all that he had”, judging from
Abraham’s trust in the servant and his faithful fulfillment of the task in this
chapter, the servant might be Eliezer of Damascus who was appointed to be the
steward of Abraham’s house (Gen. 15:2).
Spiritual
Meaning: here Abraham
typifies God the Father, and the oldest servant typifies the Holy Spirit whom
was sent forth into all the earth (Rev. 5:6).
“Ruled
over all that he had”, the Holy Spirit
makes what God is and what God has in the children of God.
Gen.24:3 “and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the
earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the
Canaanites, among whom I dwell;”
YLT:
“and I cause thee to swear by
Jehovah, God of the heavens, and God of the earth, that thou dost not take a
wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanite, in the midst of whom I am
dwelling;”
Literal
Meaning: “not take a wife for
my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell”, since all the
Canaanites worshipped false gods, Abraham was unwilling to let her seed be
enticed to turn away from the true God (1King 11:2). The first condition
concerning choosing the spouse that Abraham had set for Isaac was: not take a
wife from the nations.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Parents shall think of the future of the souls
of children.
2) Do not be unequally yoked together with believers (2Cor. 6:14).
Christians are unfit to seek the spouse among idolaters.
Gen.24:4 “but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a
wife for my son Isaac.””
YLT: “but unto my land and unto my kindred dost
thou go, and hast taken a wife for my son, for Isaac.'”
Spiritual
Meaning: Abraham asked the
oldest servant to take a wife for Isaac, which typified that God the Father
intended to take a wife for His only begotten Son (Christ) and so sent forth
the Holy Spirit to find the proper one among those who have the same physical
form with His beloved Son (“my family”).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The calling and justification and glorification
of the church are of the will of God the Father.
2) All the counsels and plans of God the Father will be unto the beloved
Son. Only those who are united with and are of the beloved Son are enabled to
obtain blessings and glory and honor.
3) Christ did not meet the one who was worthy to be His spouse among all
things (Gen. 2:20). Therefore, He partakes of blood and flesh (Heb. 2:14) so
that we shall be as Him and be His wife.
Gen.24:5 “And the servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman will not be
willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from
which you came?””
YLT:
“And the servant saith unto
him, `It may be the woman is not willing to come after me unto this land; do I
at all cause thy son to turn back unto the land from whence thou camest out?'”
Gen.24:6 “But Abraham said to him, “Beware that you do not take my
son back there.”
YLT:
“And Abraham saith unto him,
`Take heed to thyself, lest thou cause my son to turn back thither;”
Literal
Meaning: this was the second condition
Abraham had set ---- let not Isaac return back there. This is an indication of
resolute faith for at least two reasons:
1) Since God had called Abraham out of
2) God had promised Abraham to give the
Enlightenment
in the Word: since we have been
called out of the world by God and have tasted of heavenly gift, we shall not
return back to the world to seek the pleasures of sin.
Gen.24:7 “The Lord God of heaven, who took me from my
father’s house and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to
me, saying, ‘To your descendants I give this land,’
He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from
there.”
YLT:
“Jehovah, God of the heavens,
who hath taken me from the house of my father, and from the land of my birth,
and who hath spoken to me, and who hath sworn to me, saying, To thy seed I give
this land, He doth send His messenger before thee, and thou hast taken a wife
for my son from thence;”
Literal
Meaning: this verse shows
Abraham’s knowledge about God and his perfect confidence in
God.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “To your descendants I
give this land” ---- God had given
us full possessions in His Son (Eph. 1:3, 11).
2) God will open the way to fulfill what we have entrusted to him (2Tim.
1:12).
Gen.24:8 “And if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you
will be released from this oath; only do not take my son back there.””
YLT: “and if the woman be not willing to come
after thee, then thou hast been acquitted from this mine oath: only my son thou
dost not cause to turn back thither.'”
Gen.24:9 “So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his
master, and swore to him concerning this matter.”
YLT:
“And the servant putteth his
hand under the thigh of Abraham his lord, and sweareth to him concerning this
matter.”
Gen.24:10 “Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, for all his master’s goods were in his hand. And he arose and
went to Mesopotamia, to the city
of
YLT:
“And the servant taketh ten
camels of the camels of his lord and goeth, also of all the goods of his lord
in his hand, and he riseth, and goeth unto Aram-Naharaim, unto the city of
Meaning
of Words: “Mesopotamia”: the areas of the two rivers, namely, the
Euphrates and
Literal
Meaning: “camels”, the main means of conveyance of goods at that
time;
“Took
ten of his master’s camels and departed, for all his master’s goods were in his hand”, the deep trust of Abraham in his servant
was revealed here.
“Mesopotamia”, it is
“The
city of
This verse tells us that the old servant was
faithful to what his master had entrusted to him and went to the appointed
place.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If we believers desire to serve God and fulfill
what God has entrusted, we have to equip ourselves and get good preparations
---- we have to be well-equipped with the fullness of God so that we are
enabled to supply Christ to others.
2) The way in which the servants of God shall walk is utterly according
to the guidance of God instead of man’s presumptuous decision.
Gen.24:11 “And he made his camels kneel down outside the city by a
well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water.”
YLT:
“and he causeth the camels to
kneel at the outside of the city, at the well of water, at even-time, at the
time of the coming out of the women who draw water.”
Literal
Meaning: in the ancient
times, well was indispensible to people’s daily life. Therefore, people went to
the well to meet or seek men (Gen. 29:1-12; Ex. 2:16-17).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) People all over the world (“women”) are thirsty
and need living water. Since men have no God, they have no satisfaction.
2) The best way of preaching the gospel is to kneel down and pray before
God who is the fountain of living water and ask for His favor to give us good
chance (see v.12).
Gen.24:12 “Then he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day,
and show kindness to my master Abraham.”
YLT:
“And he saith, `Jehovah, God
of my lord Abraham, cause to meet, I pray Thee, before me this day -- (and do
kindness with my lord Abraham;”
Literal
Meaning: “O
Lord God of my
master Abraham”, this was his prayer to God.
“Please
give me success this day”, he asked God to fulfill His
promise to Abraham.
“And
show kindness to my master Abraham”, he confessed that all things were under the sovereignty
God.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Godly master leads to godly servant. Good
examples in family life lead the family members and children to walk in the
right way.
2) If a believer starts everything with a prayer, he will surely see the
hands of God are working.
Gen.24:13 “Behold, here
I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are
coming out to draw water.”
YLT:
“lo, I am standing by the
fountain of water, and daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw
water;”
Gen.24:14 “Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please
let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also
give your camels a drink’—let
her be the one You have
appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown
kindness to my master.””
YLT: “and it hath been, the young person unto whom
I say, Incline, I pray thee, thy pitcher, and I drink, and she hath said,
Drink, and I water also thy camels) -- her Thou hast decided for Thy servant,
for Isaac; and by it I know that Thou hast done kindness with my lord.'”
Literal
Meaning: in the ancient
times, it was strenuous to draw water, and ten camels (see v.10) would drink
abundant water. Therefore, if the woman was not a woman of love, she would be unwilling
to be so kind to a stranger. Besides, she had also to be healthy and diligent. The
servant prayed in this way, for he knew God would give an excellent woman to
Isaac to be his wife. Therefore, the servant did not command God to do so, but
prayed according to the will of God.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Many times, we may be unable to be in keeping
with God. Therefore, we have to ask God to manifest His will through prayer.
2) We shall learn the heart and attitude from the servant, but not pray
to God according to our own will, lest we should make matters worse.
Gen.24:15 “And it happened, before he had finished speaking, that
behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor,
Abraham’s brother, came out with her pitcher on her shoulder.”
YLT: “And it cometh to pass, before he hath
finished speaking, that lo, Rebekah (who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah,
wife of Nahor, brother of Abraham) is coming out, and her pitcher on her
shoulder,”
Literal
Meaning: “and it happened,
before he had finished speaking, that behold”, it showed that God answered his
prayer immediately and instantly and that the following experience was under
the sovereignty and arrangement of God.
The birth of Rebekah was just fit for the condition of “my family” set
by Abraham. In fact, God had early let Abraham know the news (Gen. 22:21-24).
Spiritual
Meaning: “Rebekah” typifies
that the church is the wife of Christ (Eph. 5:31-32).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Our God is a living and true God. Let us trust
in Him in everything.
2) If we acknowledge God in all our ways, God will make plain our paths
(Pro. 3:6).
Gen.24:16 “Now the young woman was very beautiful to behold, a
virgin; no man had known her. And she went down to the well, filled her
pitcher, and came up.”
YLT: “and the young person of very good
appearance, a virgin, and a man hath not known her; and she goeth down to the
fountain, and filleth her pitcher, and cometh up.”
Spiritual
Meaning: “the
young woman was very beautiful
to behold”, it typifies that the church is
much beautiful and holy without blemish in the sight of God (Eph. 5:27).
“A
virgin”, it
typifies that the church is presented to Christ as a chaste virgin (2Cor.
11:2).
“No
man had known her”, it typifies the
simplicity of the church toward Christ (2Cor. 11:3).
Enlightenment
in the Word: let our heart
desire Christ only. And there is none upon earth we desire beside Him (Ps.
73:25).
Gen.24:17 “And the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me
drink a little water from your pitcher.””
YLT: “And the servant runneth to meet her, and
saith, `Let me swallow, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher;'”
Enlightenment
in the Word: not only is man unsatisfied
when he has no God, but also God is unsatisfied when he has not gained men,
just like the Lord Jesus asked the Samaritan woman to give him water (John
4:7).
Gen.24:18 “So she said, “Drink, my lord.” Then she quickly let her
pitcher down to her hand, and gave him a drink.”
YLT: “and she saith, `Drink, my lord;' and she
hasteth, and letteth down her pitcher upon her hand, and giveth him drink.”
Gen.24:19 “And when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I
will draw water for your camels
also, until they have finished drinking.””
YLT: “And she finisheth giving him drink, and
saith, `Also for thy camels I draw till they have finished drinking;'”
Enlightenment
in the Word: a normal church
will not only satisfy God but also all the servants of God.
Gen.24:20 “Then she quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough, ran
back to the well to draw water,
and drew for all his camels.”
YLT:
“and she hasteth, and
emptieth her pitcher into the drinking-trough, and runneth again unto the well
to draw, and draweth for all his camels.”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Let believers seize the opportunity and serve
God with diligence (“quickly, ran back”).
2) Let us serve all those who are around us equally (“for all his camels”),
not partially
(James 2:1-8).
Gen.24:21 “And the man, wondering at her, remained silent so as to
know whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.”
YLT: “And the man, wondering at her, remaineth
silent, to know whether Jehovah hath made his way prosperous or not.”
Enlightenment
in the Word: when we believers
seek the will of God, let us observe the circumstance carefully to acknowledge
the guidance of God.
Gen.24:22 “So it was, when the camels had finished drinking, that the
man took a golden nose ring weighing half a shekel, and two bracelets
for her wrists weighing ten shekels
of gold,”
YLT: “And it cometh to pass when the camels have
finished drinking, that the man taketh a golden ring (whose weight a bekah),
and two bracelets for her hands (whose weight ten of gold),”
Spiritual
Meaning: “golden
nose ring”, it was put on the
nose (see v.47), which indicated the character of obedience to God.
“Bracelets”, it symbolizes the character of receiving
the guidance of God and working with diligence in conversation.
And the
golden nose ring and bracelets also symbolize the things of
God (gold in the Bible refers to the nature of God). The old servant gave
Rebekah a golden nose ring and bracelets, which typified that the Holy Spirit
reveals us things of God to draw us to seek the Lord.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Let us put on Christ after we have been saved in
our walking ans service (Gal. 3:27) so that people will see God on us.
2) The walking of believers shall be restrained and
governed and arranged by God.
3) Believers partake of everything of God due to the revelation and
guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Gen.24:23 “and said, “Whose daughter are you? Tell me, please, is there room in your father’s house for us to lodge?””
YLT: “and saith, `Whose daughter thou? declare to
me, I pray thee, is the house of thy father a place for us to lodge in?'”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Once we are saved, we shall know our identity. We
are no longer of ourselves, but of God, and we are children of God.
2) Since we are saved, we shall know that the church is the house of God
and, the habitation of God through the Spirit (Eph. 2:22).
Gen.24:24 “So she said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, Milcah’s son, whom she bore to
Nahor.””
YLT: “And she saith unto him, `I daughter of
Bethuel, son of Milcah, whom she hath borne to Nahor.'”
Gen.24:25 “Moreover she said to him, “We have both straw and feed
enough, and room to lodge.””
YLT:
“She saith also unto him,
`Both straw and provender abundant with us, also a place to lodge in.'”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The church shall normally be full of more than
sufficient food as well as let the Holy Spirit govern and dwell in restfully.
2) Let believers be hospitable with willingness and love (Titus. 1:8;
Heb. 13:2).
Gen.24:26 “Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the Lord.”
YLT:
“And the man boweth, and doth
obeisance to Jehovah,”
Enlightenment
in the Word: let believers be
thankful in everything (1Thess. 5:18). And let our requests be made known unto
God in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6).
Gen.24:27 “And he said, “Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who has not
forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way,
the Lord led me
to the house of my master’s brethren.””
YLT: “and saith, `Blessed Jehovah, God of my lord
Abraham, who hath not left off His kindness and His truth with my lord; -- I in
the way, Jehovah hath led me to the house of my lord's brethren.'”
Literal
Meaning: the word of the old servant
indicated that he had deeper knowledge of God on the way. Note that he firstly
thought of God, and then his master and finally himself.
Gen.24:28 “So the young woman ran and told her mother’s household
these things.”
YLT:
“And the young person
runneth, and declareth to the house of her mother according to these words.”
Gen.24:29-30 “Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban, and Laban ran out to the man by the well. So it came to
pass, when he saw the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and
when he heard the words of his sister Rebekah, saying, “Thus the man spoke to
me,” that he went to the man. And there he stood by the camels at the well.”
YLT:
“And Rebekah hath a brother,
and his name Laban, and Laban runneth unto the man who without, unto the
fountain; yea, it cometh to pass, when he seeth the ring, and the bracelets on
the hands of his sister, and when he heareth the words of Rebekah his sister,
saying, `Thus hath the man spoken unto me,' that he cometh in unto the man, and
lo, he is standing by the camels by the fountain.”
Meaning
of Words: “Laban”: white, glorious;
Literal
Meaning: “and
Laban ran out…when he saw the nose ring ans the bracelets…”, here it suggested that Laban was a
covetous worshipper of Mammon, which was a hint foreshadowing of the sufferings
of Jacob caused by Laban afterwards (Gen. 31:36-42).
Gen.24:31 “And he said, “Come in, O blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside? For I have
prepared the house, and a place for the camels.””
YLT:
“And he saith, `Come in, O
blessed one of Jehovah, why standest thou without, and I -- I have prepared the
house and place for the camels!'”
Gen.24:32 “Then the man came to the house. And he unloaded the camels,
and provided straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the
feet of the men who were with
him.”
YLT:
“And he bringeth in the man
into the house, and looseth the camels, and giveth straw and provender for the
camels, and water to wash his feet, and the feet of the men who with him:”
Gen.24:33 “Food was set before
him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told about my errand.” And he said,
“Speak on.””
YLT: “and setteth before him to eat; but he saith,
`I do not eat till I have spoken my word;' and he saith, `Speak.'”
Literal
Meaning: the old servant was so hasty to fulfill the mission entrusted by his master
that he did not care about his belly.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) When the whole heart of a man concentrates on a
burden, if the burden is not unloaded, he had no appetite for food or drinks. It
is just the condition of the so-called “fasting” in the Bible.
2) He who is faithful to the Lord cares about things entrusted by the
Lord more than his own physical needs.
Gen.24:34 “So he said, “I am
Abraham’s servant.”
YLT:
“And he saith, `I Abraham's
servant;”
Gen.24:35 “The Lord has blessed my master greatly, and he has
become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and
female servants, and camels and donkeys.”
YLT:
“and Jehovah hath blessed my
lord exceedingly, and he is great; and He giveth to him flock, and herd, and
silver, and gold, and men-servants, and maid-servants, and camels, and asses;”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) We shall primarily manifest that we are the
servants of God before men.
2) Secondly, we shall reveal the riches of God’s grace to draw the
hearers.
Gen.24:36 “And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she
was old; and to him he has given all that he has.”
YLT:
“and Sarah, my lord's wife,
beareth a son to my lord, after she hath been aged, and he giveth to him all
that he hath.”
Spiritual
Meaning: here the word of
the old servant typifies that the Holy Spirit bears witness to God the Father
and Christ (John 15:26), testifying that God has abundant inheritances
and Christ is the beloved only begotten Son of God as well as the heir of all
(John 16:13-15).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) God’s revelation of Christ to men through the Holy
Spirit is the fundamental work in the church ---- only those who have really
known Christ are members of the spiritual church.
2) The Spirit does not lead men to look upon Himself, but to gaze at
Christ. It is abnormal for Christians to hold spiritual gifts higher than
Christ.
3) Today, the main ministry of the Holy Spirit is not healing or casting
out demons, but revealing and testifying Christ to make men see the glory and
riches of Christ. Therefore, men will be drawn to seek Christ. .
Gen.24:37 “Now my master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a
wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell;”
YLT:
“`And my lord causeth me to
swear, saying, Thou dost not take a wife to my son from the daughters of the
Canaanite, in whose land I am dwelling.”
Gen.24:38 “but you shall go to my father’s house and to my family, and
take a wife for my son.’”
YLT:
“If not -- unto the house of
my father thou dost go, and unto my family, and thou hast taken a wife for my
son.”
Gen.24:39 “And I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow
me.’”
YLT: “`And I say unto my lord, It may be the woman
doth not come after me;”
Gen.24:40 “But he said to me, ‘The Lord, before whom I walk, will send His angel
with you and prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son from my
family and from my father’s house.”
YLT: “and he saith unto me, Jehovah, before whom I
have walked habitually, doth send His messenger with thee, and hath prospered
thy way, and thou hast taken a wife for my son from my family, and from the
house of my father;”
Gen.24:41 “You will be clear from this oath when you arrive among my
family; for if they will not give her
to you, then you will be released from my oath.’”
YLT:
“then art thou acquitted from
my oath, when thou comest unto my family, and if they give not to thee; then
thou hast been acquitted from my oath.”
Gen.24:42 ““And this day I came to the well and said, ‘O Lord God of my master Abraham, if You will now
prosper the way in which I go,”
YLT: “`And I come to-day unto the fountain, and I
say, Jehovah, God of my lord Abraham, if Thou art, I pray Thee, making
prosperous my way in which I am going --”
Gen.24:43 “behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to
pass that when the virgin comes out to draw water, and I say to her, “Please give me a little water from
your pitcher to drink,””
YLT: “(lo, I am standing by the fountain of
water), then the virgin who is coming out to draw, and I have said unto her,
Let me drink, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher,”
Gen.24:44 “and she says to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels
also,”—let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.’”
YLT:
“and she hath said unto me,
Both drink thou, and also for thy camels I draw -- she is the woman whom
Jehovah hath decided for my lord's son.”
Gen.24:45 ““But before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was
Rebekah, coming out with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down to the
well and drew water. And I said
to her, ‘Please let me drink.’”
YLT:
“`Before I finish speaking
unto my heart, then lo, Rebekah is coming out, and her pitcher on her shoulder,
and she goeth down to the fountain, and draweth; and I say unto her, Let me
drink, I pray thee,”
Gen.24:46 “And she made haste and let her pitcher down from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I
will give your camels a drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels a
drink also.”
YLT:
“and she hasteth and letteth
down her pitcher from off her and saith, Drink, and thy camels also I water;
and I drink, and the camels also she hath watered.”
Gen.24:47 “Then I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, ‘The daughter
of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the nose ring on
her nose and the bracelets on her wrists.”
YLT: “`And I ask her, and say, Whose daughter
thou? and she saith, Daughter of Bethuel, son of Nahor, whom Milcah hath borne
to him, and I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands,”
Gen.24:48 “And I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, who had led me
in the way of truth to take the daughter of my master’s brother for his son.”
YLT:
“and I bow, and do obeisance
before Jehovah, and I bless Jehovah, God of my lord Abraham, who hath led me in
the true way to receive the daughter of my lord's brother for his son.”
Gen.24:49 “Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell
me. And if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.””
YLT:
“`And now, if ye are dealing
kindly and truly with my lord, declare to me; and if not, declare to me; and I
turn unto the right or unto the left.'”
Literal
Meaning: from
verse 37 to 49, the old servant told them the truth straightly
(see v.2-27) and hoped them to give direct
and clear answer. His words were characterized by the following two points:
1) Make a short and simple introduction of the
whole matter;
2) Illustrate the whole matter from God’s point
of view to make all men know the whole matter was guided by God (see v.50);
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Sincerity is the best way. He who is honest to
others also expects to be honestly treated.
2) If believers dare not to tell the truth and speak in a vague way
because of fearing to offend men, it will be easier to offend men.
Gen.24:50 “Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing comes
from the Lord; we cannot speak to you either bad or good.”
YLT: “And Laban answereth -- Bethuel also -- and
they say, `The thing hath gone out from Jehovah; we are not able to speak unto
thee bad or good;”
Literal
Meaning: “Laban and Bethuel”,
Laban was the son of Bethuel (see v.24, 29). Here that Laban is put before
Bethuel is probably because: 1) Bethuel passed away and Laban took the family
in charge; 2) Bethuel was mild and let his son voice his opinions.
“We cannot speak to you either bad or good”, it meant that they could say nothing
(Gen. 31:24) but only consent to this marriage.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Once believers have realized a matter is from
God, we have to obey.
2) The most important thing in preaching the gospel is to let people meet
God. Once a man meets God, he will submit to Him immediately.
Gen.24:51 “Here is
Rebekah before you; take her
and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as the Lord has spoken.””
YLT:
“lo, Rebekah before thee,
take and go, and she is a wife to thy lord's son, as Jehovah hath spoken.'”
Gen.24:52 “And it came to pass, when Abraham’s servant heard their
words, that he worshiped the Lord, bowing
himself to the earth.”
YLT:
“And it cometh to pass, when
the servant of Abraham hath heard their words, that he boweth himself towards
the earth before Jehovah;”
Literal
Meaning: note the gestures of
the servant’s thrice prayer: the first time he “stood” to pray for God’s
guidance (v.13), and the second time he bowed
down his head and worshiped God (v.26), and the third time he bowed
himself to the earth when the marriage was allowed.
Gen.24:53 “Then the servant brought out jewelry
of silver, jewelry of gold, and clothing, and gave
them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and
to her mother.”
YLT:
“and the servant taketh out
vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and giveth to Rebekah;
precious things also he hath given to her brother and to her mother.”
Literal
Meaning: “to
her brother and to her mother”,
note that Bethuel was not mentioned, so in verse fifty very probably Bethuel
was dead, and Laban, the eldest brother, spoke on behalf of his father.
Spiritual
Meaning: “jewelry
of silver” typifies the
redemption of Christ.
“Jewelry
of gold” typifies the life
and nature of God.
“Clothing” typifies that Christ is our robe of
righteousness (Is. 61:10).
“Precious
things” typifies the work
of the Holy Spirit.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Believers have to manifest the presence of God (“jewelry
of gold”) and the experience of the cross (“jewelry of silver”) and the glory
of Christ (“clothing”) and outpour the Holy Spirit (“precious things”) before
men.
2) Once one is favored, his whole family is blessed (Acts 16:31).
Gen.24:54 “And he and the men who were with him ate and drank and stayed all night. Then they
arose in the morning, and he said, “Send me away to my master.””
YLT:
“And they eat and drink, he
and the men who with him, and lodge all night; and they rise in the morning,
and he saith, `Send me to my lord;'”
Gen.24:55 “But her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman
stay with us a few days, at
least ten; after that she may go.””
YLT:
“and her brother saith -- her
mother also -- `Let the young person abide with us a week or ten days,
afterwards doth she go.'”
The Background: the ancient Middle Easterners lacked the
concept of time.
Enlightenment
in the Word: the family members
of believers tend to be the hindrance to our loving
and serving the Lord.
Gen.24:56 “And he said to them, “Do not hinder me, since the Lord has prospered my way; send me away so
that I may go to my master.””
YLT:
“And he saith unto them, `Do
not delay me, seeing Jehovah hath prospered my way; send me away, and I go to
my lord;'”
Literal
Meaning: it suggested that
the old servant did things neatly, not sloppily, and he refused men’s delay
according to the guidance of God.
Enlightenment
in the Word: once we have
perceived the guidance of God, let us trust in and obey Him. Over-examination
may blur our vision.
Gen.24:57 “So they said, “We will call the young woman and ask her
personally.””
YLT: “and they say, `Let us call for the young
person, and ask at her mouth;'”
Gen.24:58 “Then
they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.””
YLT:
“and they call for Rebekah,
and say unto her, `Dost thou go with this man?' and she saith, `I go.'”
Literal
Meaning: “she
said, “I will go.” It indicated that Rebekah was
decisive. Though she had not seen Isaac, she believed in the words of the old
servant and desired to “go” to Isaac with earnestness.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Though we have not seen Him, we love Him (1Pet.
1:8).
2) We will escape from the earthly snares only when we are drawn by the
glory and riches of Christ and thus are eager to see His face.
Gen.24:59 “So they sent away Rebekah their sister
and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men.”
YLT: “And they send away Rebekah their sister, and
her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men;”
Literal
Meaning: “sent
away Rebekah their sister”, it suggested again that it was
decided and arranged by Laban rather than
Bethuel.
“Her
nurse”, namely, Deborah
(Gen. 35:8).
Gen.24:60 “And they blessed Rebekah and said to her: “Our sister, may you become The
mother of thousands of ten
thousands; And may your descendants
possess The gates of those who
hate them.””
YLT: “and they bless Rebekah, and say to her,
`Thou our sister; become thou thousands of myriads, and thy seed doth possess
the gate of those hating it.'”
Literal
Meaning: their blessing just
corresponds to God’s blessing to Abraham (Gen. 22:17).
Spiritual
Meaning: the church is the
mother of thousands of ten thousands people (Gal. 4:26). The power of the hell
cannot prevail against the church that is built (Matt. 16:18).
Gen.24:61 “Then Rebekah and her maids arose, and they rode on the camels and followed the
man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.”
YLT:
“And Rebekah and her young
women arise, and ride on the camels, and go after the man; and the servant
taketh Rebekah and goeth.”
Gen.24:62 “Now Isaac came from the way of Beer
Lahai Roi, for he dwelt in the South.”
YLT:
“And Isaac hath come in from
the entrance of the Well of the Living One, my Beholder; and he is dwelling in
the land of the south,”
Literal
Meaning: “Beer
Lahai Roi”, it is in the south, close to
“He
dwelt in the South”, Sarah died in
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Believers live on the earth to run the race that
lies before us (Heb. 12:1) and press towards the goal (Christ) (Phil. 3:14).
2) When we run the heavenly race, we have to pray (“rode
on the camels”) and follow the
Holy Spirit (“followed the man”).
Gen.24:63 “And Isaac went out to meditate in the
field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and
looked, and there, the camels were
coming.”
YLT:
“and Isaac goeth out to
meditate in the field, at the turning of the evening, and he lifteth up his
eyes, and looketh, and lo, camels are coming.”
Spiritual
Meaning: “in
the evening”, it typifies the
end of the world is coming, and the Lord is coming.
“Isaac went out to meditate in the field”, it symbolizes that the Lord is praying
for the church.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Believers shall learn from Isaac to commit the
marriage unto God utterly and pray all the time and look upon Him. Finally we
will see the works of God.
2) The boat of the church is just on the way to the other side. Though
she is straining at rowing, for the wind is against her, the Lord Jesus is
still praying for us (Mark 6:46-48). Therefore, let us rest assured.
Gen.24:64 “Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she
dismounted from her camel;”
YLT:
“And Rebekah lifteth up her
eyes, and seeth Isaac, and alighteth from off the camel;”
Literal
Meaning: “dismounted from her
camel”, it was an indication of respect and honor.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) We are the children of God, and it has not yet
been revealed what we shall be. But we know that when He is revealed, we shall
be like Him (1John 3:2).
2) For yet a little while, he who is coming will come and will not tarry
(Heb. 10:37).
Gen.24:65 “for
she had said to the servant, “Who is
this man walking in the field to meet us?” The servant
said, “It is my master.” So she took a veil and covered herself.”
YLT:
“and she saith unto the
servant, `Who this man who is walking in the field to meet us?' and the servant
saith, `It my lord;' and she taketh the veil, and covereth herself.”
The Background: “she took a veil and
covered herself”, according to the
custom in the
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) One day the Lord will come again and welcome us
on the way.
2) We believers shall cover all that of us completely before Him and
take all that of Him as ours.
Gen.24:66 “And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.”
YLT: “And the servant recounteth to Isaac all the
things that he hath done,”
Gen.24:67 “Then Isaac brought her into his mother
Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her.
So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.”
YLT:
“and Isaac bringeth her in
unto the tent of Sarah his mother, and he taketh Rebekah, and she becometh his
wife, and he loveth her, and Isaac is comforted after his mother.”
Meaning
of Words: “comfort”: strengthen, support, establish;
Literal
Meaning: “Isaac
brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent”, here it emphasized that Rebekah
replaced the position of Sarah.
“And
he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved
her”, Isaac did not
hesitate to marry her and loved her, which proved that Rebekah was of the selection
of God.
Spiritual
Meaning: “Sarah’s
tent” typifies the New
Jerusalem (Gal. 4:26; Rev. 21:2).
“Took
Rebekah and she became his wife”,
it means that once the marriage of the Lamb is come (Rev. 19:7), the church and
Christ will be one perfectly. Then, the tabernacle of God is with men and He
will dwell with them and will be their God (Rev. 21:3), and thus the people are
comforted and Christ is satisfied.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
Examples of a Servant
A. Fear God (v.26, 52);
B. Pray to God for His guidance (v.12);
C. Keep the command of the master closely and
not act on one’s own (v.2-9);
D. Run to the destination in spite of the labor
(v.10);
E. Understand to grasp the most important
character of a man ---- diligence and love (v.14);
F. Observe the guidance of God carefully
(v.21);
G. Give priority to the mission and refuse any
delay (v.33, 56);
H. Speak clearly and simply so that the hearers
will know what to do and how to do (v.34-49);
I. Claim no credit for oneself and give thanks
to God (v.27, 48, 52);
J. Account for one’s work perfectly (v.65-66);
Types of the Holy Trinity
A. Abraham typifies God the Father:
1. All things will be given to Christ (v.36;
see Col. 1:19);
2. God sent the Spirit to take a bride for
Christ (v.3);
B. Isaac typifies Christ:
1. Who is the only beloved Son of God (v.36; see John 1:14);
2. Who is praying for the church (v.63; see
Heb. 7:25);
3. Who will come to marry the bride (v.65; see
Matt. 22:2; Rev. 19:7-9);
C. The oldest servant typifies the Holy Spirit:
1. Who rules all that the master has (v.2);
2. Who is sent to take a wife for Christ among
those who are of God (“my family”) (see v.4; Rev. 5:6);
3. Who reveals the riches of Christ to the
church (“Rebekah”) (v.22, 35-36; 53);
4. Who brings the church to run the heavenly
way till the Lord’s second coming (v.61-67);
Rebekah Typifies the Church, the Bride of
Christ
A. Who has the life of Christ ---- she was from
the same family with Isaac (v.4);
B. Who comes from the world ---- she was in
C. Who is a chaste virgin (2Cor. 11:2) ---- a
virgin (v.17);
D. Who partakes of the divine nature of God
---- she had good character (v.18-19);
E. Who has not seen Him, yet loves him ----
Rebekah was willing to go with the old servant (v.58);
F. Who has numerous spiritual children ---- be
the mother of thousands of ten thousands (v.60);
G. Who undergoes the difficulties in the world
---- she took the long journey with the old servant (v.61);
H. Who satisfies Christ ---- who made Isaac
comforted (v.67);
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou