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scripturesgenesis24 (Abraham’s servant and Rebekah ** )

Scripture Commentary — Genesis 24:1-67

Abraham’s servant and Rebekah

Genesis 24:1-67

  • Verse 1
    • “..blessed..in all things” —   Why was Abraham blessed in all things?  He was obedient in all things.  He left his father, he gave Lot the most fertile valleys, he wouldn’t accept a gift from Sodom’s king, he was willing to sacrifice Isaac, and many other situations.
  • Verse 2
    • “eldest servant” —  most trusted, most experienced.  How sad it is that we are not given the name of this remarkable soul.
    • “ruled over all that he had” —  he had earned Abraham’s confidence and trust; he was reliable.
  • Verses 3 – 4
    • “of the Canaanites…” —  stresses the importance of being equally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14), of marrying ‘believing blood’.
  • Verses 5 – 6
    • “Peradventure…” —  What if?  This loyal servant doesn’t ask ‘why me’ or ‘why’, only ‘what if’.  It should be remembered that Hebron and Haran were about 500 miles apart!
  • Verse 7
    • “angel before thee…” —  Abraham promises divine and spiritual aid in this endeavor.  Doctrine and Covenants 88:84 also promises that “angels will be round about thee”.
    • “…thou shalt…” —  this is more than an invitation; this is a commandment.
  • Verse 9
    • “sware to him…” —  a man of honor, a man of his word, a trustworthy man.
  • Verse 10
    • “all the goods of his master were in his hand…” — this trusted servant had earned the explicit confidence and trust of his master.
  • Verse 11
    • “…the time that women go out to draw water…” — he was organized, he had a plan, he put himself in the right place at the right time.
  • Verse 12
    • “send me good speed…shew kindness unto Abraham…” —  he prayed for himself, but only so that his master Abraham would be blessed.  He was selfless, devoted, charitable.  Even though he had an excellent plan to meet potential wives for Isaac, he still called upon the Lord to bless his efforts.
  • Verse 14
    • “let it come to pass…” — he proposed a plan!  Similar to the brother of Jared and his 16 stones.  Doctrine and Covenants 58:27-28 tells us that men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause and do many things of their own free will…”.  Nephi had the attitude of ‘going’ and ‘doing’, not sitting and waiting.  “I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say…”  The servant had “bound” the Lord by his preparation, diligence, and service.
    • “kindness unto my master…” — he was loyal unto Abraham, and he kept his focus and perspective.
  • Verse 15
    • “before he had done speaking…” —  3 Nephi 13:8 tells us that God knows things we need even before we ask Him.  3 Nephi 19:24 tells us that Jesus’ disciples in America had given unto them the very things that they should pray for.  Doctrine and Covenants 50:29-30 tells us that the things we should ask for in prayer will be given unto us.  All of these blessings played a role in the life of Abraham’s faithful servant.  It is fairly obvious that this was not the first prayer this servant had offered, seeking the Lord’s help and guidance.
    • “…pitcher upon her shoulder…” — not a pampered lady, but a worker; a young woman used to work.  One gallon weighs 8 pounds!
    • The very first person that approaches the well after the servant’s prayer is Isaac’s future wife!  Did God play a role in this encounter?  Yes!  And how interesting that no other women are mentioned coming to the well to draw water, even though the servant stations himself there when the women are wont to come and draw water.  This is another evidence of God’s hand directing this encounter.
  • Verse 16
    • “…very fair…a virgin…” — she was obedient to God’s commands, though opportunities to do otherwise were probably present.  She was committed to purity and holiness.
    • “…down…up…” — indicative of heavy labor
  • Verse 17
    • “…ran to meet her…” — he was anxious to be about the Lord’s business, he was a goer and a doer.  This is interesting in light of the fact that he had just completed a 500 mile trek, and there is no mention of his taking time to rest up before he began his quest for Isaac’s wife.
    • “…a little water…” — he was not overbearing or demanding, but respectful.  He was also careful to not scare her off by being aggressive.
  • Verse 18
    • “…my lord…” — she was respectful and dignified
    • “…hasted…” — anxious to serve, no hesitation, no hint of ‘why me’, ‘get it yourself’, or ‘I’m busy’
    • “…let down her pitcher upon her hand…” — what exactly does that mean?
  • Verse 19
    • “…camels also..” — sufficient water for TEN thirsty camels?  Without being asked?  That would have been many pitchers of water.  A very willing, hard worker.
    • “…until they were done drinking…” — that is A LOT of water!
  • Verse 20
    • “…hasted…ran…” — she was tireless in her efforts to serve, displaying incredible energy and willingness.  How well do I do at giving heart, might, mind, and strength to my assignments and obligations?
    • “…all his camels..” — she endured to the end (beginners are many but enders are few, stick to a task ’til it sticks to you).
  • Verse 21
    • “…wondering at her…” — he was in awe.  How could he not be?  What a jewel she appeared to be.
    • “…prosperous or not.” — are you kidding?  Was there any doubt?
  • Verse 22
    • “…golden earring…bracelet…” — he was prepared!  He had anticipated this moment.  Nothing was left to chance or surprise.  He was well aware that jewelry is a sure way to win a woman’s heart.
  • Verse 25
    • “…we have…room to lodge in…” — she was kind, accommodating, and she offered these kindnesses without consulting her father.  He must have been of like nature.
  • Verse 26-27
    • “…bowed down…worshipped…” — his first response is to thank the Lord!  What gratitude immediately displayed.
    • “…I being in the way…” —  I went and did!  I didn’t sit and wait.  “If any man will DO His will, he will know…”  Get up, move, open your mouth.
    • “…the Lord led me…” — the very first young woman he encountered was Abraham’s nephew’s daughter.  No happenstance here
  • Verse 28
    • “…ran…” — she had just watered 10 camels.  She was excited.  Could it be that she had been prepared for this moment also?
  • Verses 29-31
    • “…when he saw the earring and bracelets…” — Laban was astute!  He was probably a gracious man like his sister, but when he saw the jewelry that Abraham’s servant had bestowed upon Rebekah, he realized that this was a man he wanted to cater to.
    • “…thou blessed of the Lord…” — how to win friends and influence people!
  • Verse 32
    • “…men’s feet that were with him…” — it is unclear rather this verse refers to Abraham’s servant or to Laban, but either one of them was very attentive to the needs of others, always being of service.
  • Verse 33
    • “…I will not eat until…” — priorities, devotion, dedication.  He was obviously very tired and hungry after his long trek.
  • Verses 34-49
    • “…The Lord will send his angel with thee…” — What an incredible promise and blessing Abraham gave his trusted servant as he began his journey. The servant, in these verses, essentially bears his testimony to Rebekah’s family.  Verses 40 and 48 are particularly poignant.  The servant is grateful, obedient, faithful, and resourceful
  • Verses 50-52
    • “…worshipped…bowed..” — the servant prays in gratitude again!  Do we give adequate thanks for tender mercies?
  • Verse 53
    • “…gave jewels…” — this indicates preparation,m planning, forethought, and he is a MAN!!  Notice also that the kindness of Laban blessed Rebekah’s life but also the lives of all the family members.
  • Verse 56
    • “…hinder me not…” — dedication!  They had just traveled 500 miles by camel, but he did not forget his priorities.  He would not rest until his charge was completed.  How do we compare?
  • Verse 58
    • “…I will go…” — faith!  Do you think she had prayed?  She was leaving her home, her family, traveling to a new country to marry a man that she had never before met.  What traits does she exhibit? Faith, virtue, submissiveness, inspiration, and obedience.
  • Verse 60
    • “…the mother of thousands of millions…” — what an inspired family!  No wonder Rebekah was such a great young woman.
  • Verse 64
    • “…lighted off the camel…” — she was very respectful and appropriate, in addition to her many other Christ-like qualities.
  • Verse 66
    • “And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.” — Can we imagine how Isaac felt as he listened to the amazing story of the servant
  • Verse 67
    • “…he loved her…” — after hearing the story of her coming, is it any wonder?  It is sad we don’t know the name of the faithful servant.  Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah.
  • Lessons to be learned from this incredible experience:
    • Good things happen to good people.
    • Rebekah exhibited so many Christ-like attributes, including hard work, faithfulness, virtue, submissiveness, inspiration, and obedience.
    • The incredible servant displayed gratitude, obedience, and faith.

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