GENESIS

Notes on Genesis 24

Genesis 24:1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:

Now when we take an oath it is usually by laying hands upon the bible. The way of taking an oath here though was a tradition in the days of Abraham for taking oaths. I try to avoid taking oaths because we never know what the future holds and some events might occur to prevent us from keeping oaths. My dad used to tell me to say, "If the Lord will, I'll do such and such."

James 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

We see though that this mission to which the servant of Abraham was being sent was a very important mission. The wife of Isaac had to be chosen of God. Imagine having a servant travel to find us a spouse in this day and age especially in the western part of the world. How times have changed.

Genesis 24:3 And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:

Abraham probably saw that the Canaanites were getting very wicked. There are many scriptures to confirm this. That is why God gave their land away to Israel many years before they actually took the land. God saw the future and the progression of their wickedness. God is a just and fair God so He did not allow Israel to take that land until the iniquity of the Canaanites went past the point of no return.

Here are verses that shows us just that:

Genesis 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

God only puts up with sin so long until judgment comes. We think we are getting by with sin, but if we allow sin to continue without repenting or turning away from that sin, we will be judged sooner or later. Jesus came to remove our sins so that we will not be judged for our sins but many are dying daily with sin still within them and no signs of repentance or a changed life.

Genesis 24:4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.

Even though Abraham's kin were not perfect people, they were not degenerated to the level of the Canaanites who were descendants of men who were cursed by Noah. In today's world we are to share the gospel with all mankind no matter who they descended from, but until people are "born again" by the spirit of God and have repented of sin, we should not intermarry with those who do not want to have anything to do with God or God's commandments. How can we serve God with all our hearts and souls and be married to someone who hates anything to do with God? Once we are married though, we are not to use that as an excuse to divorce anyone. We have to make the best of the situation. If the unbeliever though departs, Paul says, let them depart.

The seed of Abraham was one that had to be pure from anything Satanic or curse because it was the seed God was going to use to bring forth the Messiah that was to save us from sin. Although we see many of this seed who sinned, it still was not the same as the defilement of the Canaanites. As Sodom and Gomorrah was judged, there comes a time when God has to destroy a nation to keep them from corrupting the whole world. This judgment though has to come from God. We as the assembly of believers in the gospel of Jesus are to preach the gospel, never harm anyone we personally think are cursed of God. The gospel is for everyone who will receive it.

There are also some that have taught that the Canaanites were a mixture of the seed of fallen angelic beings spoken of in Genesis chapter 6. This is controversial. The first batch of those were before the flood but they teach that those fallen angels visited the earth again and mingled with the seed of men. Christ could not come through that seed.

In the book of Jude we see that these angelic beings are bound now and cannot escape but will be let loose in the future tribulation period. The reason their theory has merit is because we see from scripture that the lineage from Eve to Christ is not all the morally pure but they could not be from any angelic fallen creatures or they would have been defiled. This may be why the fallen ones did this to stop the seed of the woman promised to defeat the serpent.

This is so bazaar that it is very controversial. However, if we look at our world today many are going back to pre-Christ times when evil devil worship is reviving, child trafficking is on the increase and evil is returning in large numbers. I believe God will stop it again with His coming. Since Christ has already came, perhaps Satan is trying to take all he can with him or he is trying to stop the salvation of Israel that is to come before Christ's second coming. Interesting to think about but again I have to say, I'm not sure of these things but since I know of that theory, I wanted to bring it up for discussion. The way things are going in the world with violence increasing, beheadings, and trouble in the Middle East it looks like evil is prevailing just like it did in pre-Christ times.

More is written about this controversial subject of Genesis chapter 6 in the book of Josephus and also the book of Enoch 1.

Genesis 24:5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.

Abraham understood that God called him out of the land his family lived in previously. He didn't want Isaac to leave the promised land. We do see Jacob go to this land to obtain a wife later but he did return back to the land of Canaan at a later time.

Genesis 24:7 The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spoke unto me, and that swore unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.
8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning that matter.
10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
12 And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and show kindness unto my master Abraham.
13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
14 And 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; and thereby shall I know that thou hast showed kindness unto my master.

Here is a faithful servant who was so desperate to fulfill the promise he gave to Abraham that he pleaded with God to help him fulfill this mission. He did want to fail. That is how much he respected Abraham and wanted to be faithful in his commission.

I can't remember God never answering any prayer I prayed when I was desperate.

Genesis 24:15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to know whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
23 And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?
24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bore unto Nahor.
25 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.
26 And the man bowed down his head, and worshiped the LORD.
27 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.

Here is a person who was quick to be thankful and worship God who answered his fervent prayer.

Genesis 24:28 And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things.
29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.
30 And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spoke the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.
31 And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.
32 And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him.
33 And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.
34 And he said, I am Abraham's servant.
35 And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.
36 And Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.
37 And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:
38 But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.
39 And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.
40 And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house:
41 Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.
42 And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:
43 Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;
44 And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master's son.
45 And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.
46 And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.
47 And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.
48 And I bowed down my head, and worshiped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.
49 And now if ye 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.
50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.
51 Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken.
52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshiped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.
53 And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.
54 And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master.
55 And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.
56 And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.
57 And they said, We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth.
58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.

Rebekah's heart no doubt was prepared of the Lord to recognize the will of God and leave her relatives. I'm glad though to see that they respected women enough to let them decide for themselves whether or not to go.

Genesis 24:59 And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.

Rebekah didn't go alone but took with her those that had cared for her in her childhood.

Genesis 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
62 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahai-roi; for he dwelt in the south country.
63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.
64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.
65 For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a veil, and covered herself.
66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.
67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

Isaac was delighted with his bride and was comforted. This shows Isaac sorrowed from the death of his mother and was respectful of his new bride. There is also nothing in scripture to show that Isaac ever took another wife or concubine. Just Rebecca.

Their customs were much different than ours today. We would cringe at marrying someone we do not know or have not seen beforehand. The culture was different in those times. Yet one who trusted God completely would also see the hand of God in this and know God would cause things to turn out right in the end. We don't see stories in Genesis of every individual but only those that have a part in the fulfillment of God's word and God's plan for the salvation for the human population that was lost and on their way to hell because of sin.

As we read of Abraham, we read of the beginning of God's promise to redeem mankind back to Himself from the fall which took place in the days of Adam and Eve. The seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the serpent. This seed will undo the curse, death will be swallowed up in victory and eternal life will become available to all who believe in this promised one. This one we know now as Jesus Christ, the Messiah of Israel. These events happened according to the plan of God.

The child of the spirit and not the child of the flesh had to be chosen and a proper wife had to be chosen for him to fulfill what God called Isaac to fulfill. It doesn't mean that the children of Ishmael, Japheth, Ham or any other non-Jewish people couldn't inherit eternal life or be saved from sin. The gift of eternal life is given to all who will receive it, but the way to accomplish this perfect sacrifice for sins and bring salvation to the rest of the world had to be done according to God's plan and in God's timing.

We may not understand all of this but we will in the end when Jesus returns and completely fulfills all things which were only partly fulfilled at His first coming over 2000 years ago today, 2025. DC

Genesis 25