A Study in Genesis

We now come to a rather remarkable and subtle clue of the church and Jesus Christ. Now let’s first understand what is happening. Sarah has died, Abraham is worried that Isaac needs a wife. The historical book of Jasher identifies that many of those Abraham had known were starting to die of old age. Personally, I believe this was God’s way of gently reminding Abraham of a responsibility he had to the next generation. Abraham needed to help guide his son to the right wife. While this is not a discussion on the roles and responsibilities of a father and mother to find spouses for their children, we at a bare minimum meant to be raising children in such a manner that they seek the Lord first and allow His will to guide them. Proverbs 16:1-3“The preparations of the heart [belong] to man, But the answer of the tongue [is] from the LORD. 2 All the ways of a man [are] pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits. 3 Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.” It is no surprise that if you are seeking the Lord and earnestly having Him as the priority, that the Lord can easily bring a like minded individual of the opposite sex who is open to a date right along next to you, Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.”

Back to our study!

Abraham recognizes the need to help Isaac and understands the issue of where they lived. Thus, Eliezer is dispatched to Abraham’s homeland. As we have already discussed in pervious posts regarding the faithfulness of Eliezer, we will continue on. Please read Genesis 24:49-67.

When I was very young and it was my first time reading this section of scripture, I did not catch the significance. However, after being revealed to me, I see the typology clear as day. The symbolism is clear. The Father of the Nations (Abraham) dispatches God’s help (Eliezer) to talk to those who are tied firmly and bound (Rebekah) to become the wife of the one laughs (Isaac). Let’s break this down even more. As we read in the text, Eliezer is telling of all the wonderful things God has done, he brings gifts and talks about the household that he represents. In much of the same manner, the Holy Spirit is doing the same thing now with those of us who have been saved. We have never met Jesus, we have never met God the Father, all we know is the Holy Spirit. As believers, our lives should be intertwined in God’s Word and a daily connection with the Holy Spirit. He gives gifts, He gives insights, He gives His all each and everyday to us.

Let’s stop for one second and thank the Holy Spirit for His presence in our life. No other time in human history has the Holy Spirit played such a vital and beautiful role as He is now. It was not until studying and preparing for this post that it “clicked” for me how much I should be thankful for the Holy Spirit. For the born again believer, God is with us right now being represented in the Holy Spirit, the Third part of the equal Trinity.

Ok, back to our study.

Rebekah has never met Isaac, all she has to go off of is Eliezer and the gifts he has brought. When her family says wait, she says no. She goes out in faith and follows the helper. This is a picture of the church and the world right now. We haven’t met Jesus yet, but the world tells us to wait, and we see the Holy Spirit asking us to trust and follow. Isaac is meditating when he sees the caravan coming, and it is here that the meeting happens. What a beautiful moment, what a remarkable moment, what an impactful moment. Why does this matter for you and I? For two reasons, first it reveals the journey that God would use the Jewish people for, second it reveals His character. God is a God who does not change, from the very beginning of this study we have seen God work His agenda and His character revealing actions throughout the book of Genesis. So next time you read about how Isaac and Rebekah got married, look at the symbolism and thank the Lord of this small declaration of the mighty love He has for you and I.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

JL

Summer Prayer Fest

Psalm 127:1-2 “Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.”. As we begin the fall season, let us be in prayer that the Lord is in our work.