Read Genesis
23-24 & Matthew
8
To discover:
As you read note the different ways trust in God is
displayed.
To ponder:
The rapid pace of story and concepts now slows. Again
Abraham’s experience patterns ours. He has not yet received the land. Previously
he was living outside amongst the Philistines (21v34). Now in the land, he is still
an “alien and stranger” (23v4). The discomfort, even loneliness, of not
belonging in this world should not surprise us (1 Pet 1v1). We live by faith
not sight, not settling here, not adopting the ways of those around us, but
looking forward to a “better country” (Heb 11v13-16).
The site of
Sarah’s tomb is given space because it is a key burial place for future
characters (49v30-32, 50v13). Abraham’s ownership is stressed as it is the only
part of the land he comes to own. This is why Abraham refused to be given it.
It was to be God’s gift – bought with the wealth God had given him.
Finding a
wife for Isaac reflected confidence in God’s promise too. There could be no
descendents without one! But she mustn’t be from the Canaanites as God promised
Abraham’s descendents would usurp them (9v25-27).
God’s ongoing blessing in
providing the right wife pervades chapter 24 (v1, 27, 31). Abraham has
faithfully taught his household (18v19). So his servant also walks with God. His
prayer is wise: Any woman who offers to water the camels displays a kind and
serving heart. God’s faithfulness to Abraham is stressed by Rebeka’s immediate
appearance, and her being one of his relatives (v27). Moreover, her beauty,
purity (v16) and submissiveness (v55-58) are signs that she is God’s blessing to him
and Isaac. Verse 60 is important: Rebeka’s relatives bless her prophetically,
reflecting her destiny in God’s purposes.
Marriage was not decided amongst
these sparse populations with the niceties we enjoy today. But the story ends
with romance (v63-67). Believers can appreciate beauty and enjoy romance as
God’s gifts. However the great encouragement is to our prayers. God is our God
too. He can provide because he governs all things. And experiencing this should
cause us to bow before him in humble awe just as Abraham’s servant did (v52).
Praying it home:
Make 24v27 your own prayer of praise, listing how God has
been faithful to you. Pray he would keep you humbly reliant on him as Abraham’s
servant was.
Thinking further:
24v40 is not the first mention of angels. To read something
brief on angels from Jim Packer’s excellent ‘Concise Theology’ click here.
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