Genesis 24:23-52

n.      Genesis 24:23 - And said, Whose daughter [art] thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room [in] thy father's house for us to lodge in?

1.      The servant should already know the answer to this question, he asks to confirm what the Lord has shown him with the answer to his prayer.

2.      By asking to lodge in her fathers house before she responds with an answer shows that he is confident that this is the woman God has chosen for his master.

o.      Genesis 24:24 - And she said unto him, I [am] the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.

1.      Bethuel - בתואל Bĕthuw'el, According to Dr. Strong: “destroyed of God”, but according to Gesenius’s Lexicon it means “man of God”,or “dweller in God”

·        According to Gesenius Lexicon, the meaning of his name lends one to conclude that this was a God-fearing family

·        If Dr. Strong is correct in his interpretation it is difficult to understand circumstance surrounding its meaning

2.      Note that Rebekah is separated one generation from Isaac because Sarah gave birth to Isaac when she was 90 years old he is young enough to marry the grand-daughter of his uncle Nahor.

p.      Genesis 24:25 - She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.

1.      Provender – feed

2.      Note here that she didn’t say “let me check with my father” but made the offer.  This is a good indication of the family values that were instilled in her to show kindness to strangers, more evidence that she was raised in a God-fearing home.

q.      Genesis 24:26 - And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.

1.      He realizes God has answered his prayer

2.      How often do we get on our knees and thank the Lord for answered prayers?

r.      Genesis 24:27 - 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.

1.      “What we win by prayer we must wear with praise; for mercies in answer to prayer lay us under particular obligations.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary

2.      The servant is giving praise without yet accomplishing the mission, he has yet to find out if her family will allow her to return with him to Isaac.

3.      “being in the way” - דרך Derek, masculine noun, way, road, distance, journey, manner

·        Matthew 7:14 - Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

·        John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

o       The way - ὁδός hodos, feminine noun, 1) a travelled way, road 2) a course of conduct

s.       Genesis 24:28- And the damsel ran, and told [them of] her mother's house these things.

1.      “The damsel ran”

2.      What did Rebekah learn of this stranger just by listening to his prayer?

·        He was the servant of her uncle Abraham

·        He worshipped the same God that she did, which was probably very uncommon

·        These two things ignited her excitement to run and tell her household of this visitors arrival.

3.      Why would she have told them of her mother’s house and not her father’s house?

·        It is possible that the text should read “grandmother’s house” because her grandmother was Milcah.

o       According to the Gesinius Lexicon this word can also mean grandmother as is the case in 1 Kings 15:13.

o       The words grandfather and grandmother are not distinguished from father or mother in the Old Testament Hebrew.

o      Mother - אם 'em, mother

                                                                                                                i.     To a grandmother

                                                                                                               ii.     Metaphor for those who bestow benefits

                                                                                                              iii.     Denotes an intimate relationship

                                                                                                             iv.     A nation

                                                                                                               v.     Parting of the road

                                                                                                             vi.     Metaphor used for a metropolis

                                                                                                            vii.     Metaphor used for the earth

·        Milcah married Nahor before Abraham, Sarah and her brother Lot.

·        When the servant mentioned his master Abraham in his prayer in v. 27, Rebekah may overheard and recognized the name from stories she may have heard from her grandmother.

·        We can assume from Nahor’s absence that he has died so the only one in the camp who would remember Abraham would be Milcah.  There is no evidence from scripture that Milcah was still alive other than possibly the way she introduced herself  stating that her father was the son of Milcah, if both were alive it seems that she would have just said the son of Nahor.  His widowed wife Milcah, surviving him and becoming the family matriarch worthy of mention.

·        Eliezer himself may have left Haran with Abraham so its also possible that Milcah would recall him as well.

t.      Genesis 24:29- And Rebekah had a brother, and his name [was] Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.

1.      Laban - לבן Laban, "white"

·        Interesting that Laban’s name means “white” as we will see in upcoming chapters when dealing with Jacob, Laban kept all of the “white” livestock as God made the speckled to prosper for Jacob

·        John 4:35 - Say not ye, There are yet four months, and [then] cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

·        White is an adjective Jesus uses to indicate that the wheat (or the world) is ready for harvest.

·        Laban, symbolically representing the world in this passage is attracted by the gifts brought by the man Eliezer who represents the Holy Spirit.  This shows that the spiritual gifts we are given by the Holy Spirit are to be used to reach the lost.

u.      Genesis 24:30 - 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 spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.

1.      Proverbs 18:16 - A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

2.      The servant remained at the well with the camels and did not follow Rebekah, but waited patiently for Laban to come out and welcome him.

·        No idea how far the well is from the house but it appears that it is close in proximity

v.       Genesis 24:31 - 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.

1.      Laban had time to prepare the house and room for the camels before he went out to the well?

2.      Either some time must have passed after Rebekah’s arrival or he gave the command to his servants as he stepped out to meet him.

w.       Genesis 24:32 - 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.

1.      Coroborates that there were indeed other men that traveled with Abraham’s servant as the book of Jasher indicates

2.      The servant shows that he is indeed a righteous man by first taking care of his beasts and men before himself.

·        Proverbs 12:10 - A righteous [man] regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.

II.             The Servant Explains His Message (Genesis 24:33-52)

a.      Genesis 24:33 - 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.

1.      By conducting himself in this manner it most assuredly made an impression upon his hosts as to the seriousness of his mission.

2.      John 4:34 - Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

·        Just as Jesus receives nourishment by doing the will of His Father, so to does Eliezer resist the nourishment of the world to accomplish the will of his master Abraham.

b.      Genesis 24:34- And he said, I [am] Abraham's servant.

1.      The servant here invokes the name of Abraham, which by all accounts should bring instant credibility to his nephew Betheul and his family as they are probably well aware of who Abraham is and heard much about him from their father Nahor, Abraham’s brother.

c.      Genesis 24:35 - 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.

d.      Genesis 24:36 - And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.

1.      John 16:15 - All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.

e.      Genesis 24:37 - 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:

1.      Vs. 34-37 Abraham, Isaac and Servant and mentioned to parallel Father, Son and Holy Spirit

f.       Genesis 24:38 - But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.

1.      This was probably a welcomed compliment to Betheul as Abraham shows that even though he left his land and became very wealthy, he has not forgotten about his family back in Mesopotamia.

2.      Also shows that Abraham has high regard for his brother’s daughter in that he was willing to send his servant a great distance to fetch her rather than take a Canaanite woman in the vicinity.

g.      Genesis 24:39 - And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.

h.      Genesis 24:40 - 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:

i.       Genesis 24:41 - 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.

1.      He gives the family an out by repeating this part of the conversation, but God’s hand was in it

2.      Remember there is just as much motivation for them to ensure Rebekah is married to a good man who worships God as there is for Abraham to secure a good bride for Isaac.

3.      This candor likely increases his credibility among them

j.       Genesis 24:42 - 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:

1.      Think about the passion and the excitement in his voice as he recounts the story.  Saying it out loud probably also enables him to reflect on the wonder and provision of our Heavenly Father.

2.      Other famous meetings at well include:

·        Rebekah and Eliezer (on behalf of Isaac)

·        Jacob and Rachel

·        Moses and Zipporah

·        Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well

·        Revelation 7:17 - For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains (wells) of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

k.      Genesis 24:43 - 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;

1.      Matthew 24:45-46 - Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?  Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

·        He was looking to find someone doing the work that the Lord called  her to do

·        Rebekah is a clear example of a servant who is doing the work she has been given faithfully.

·        Her diligence was pleasing to the Lord.

2.      If Rebekah is representative of the Bride of Christ, what does that tell us we are supposed to be doing in His absence?

3.      When the servant saw Rebekah, she was coming to draw water, Jesus said  in John 4:10 – “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.”

·        Water sustains temporal life

·        Living water sustains eternal life

·        Rebekah obtaining water from the well for her family could represent the Church’s responsibility to distribute the Living Water that Jesus spoke of to the Samaritan woman.

·        Has the Church been faithful in its responsibility?

o       Who is the Church?

o       Believers in Christ

o       Have WE been faithful with our responsibilities?

l.       Genesis 24:44 - 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.

m.    Genesis 24:45 - 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.

1.      Eliezer clarifies that he spoke this prayer in his heart and not out loud removing all doubt that Rebekah possibly overheard him making supplication before the Lord and fulfilling his request on her own.

n.      Genesis 24:46- 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.

o.      Genesis 24:47 - And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter [art] thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.

1.      Actually, what she said was  “I [am] the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.”

2.      The servant switched Milcah and Nahor, small change, but consider the audience is actually Bethuel, it is probably an intentional alteration.

p.      Genesis 24:48 - And I bowed down my head, and worshipped 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.

1.      Eliezer recounts his prayer, stating confidently that it was the Lord that led him in the right way, removing all doubt from his audience that this was anything other than God’s Will.

2.      Eliezer was sure (with good reason) that God answered his prayer and revealed His will to him.  When God’s Will is revealed to us do we proclaim it confidently?

q.      Genesis 24:49 - 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.

1.      Let me know how you receive this information so that I can respond accordingly

r.       Genesis 24:50 - Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.

1.      The Lord - יהוה Yĕhovah

2.      Indicates that they knew the Lord, or at least knew of Him, for they speak His covenant name.

3.      They have determined rightly that what has happened is by divine appointment

4.      Moffett translation: “This comes from the Eternal; we dare not say yes or no to you.”

s.      Genesis 24:51 - Behold, Rebekah [is] before thee, take [her], and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken.

1.      Has the Lord spoken this? 

·        Spoken - דבר dabar, verb, 2) To lead or guide, specifically to lead flocks or herds to pasture.

·        Probably a more accurate translation would have read “as the Lord hath lead”

t.       Genesis 24:52 - And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, [bowing himself] to the earth.

1.      Philippians 4:6 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
2.  Note that in this chapter the servant prays 3 times in 3 different positions:
       ·        Vs. 13 – Stands when seeking guidance
         ·        Vs. 26 – bowed his head, when God reveals His provision
       ·    V.52 – bowing to the earth, mission completed

Genesis 24:1-22

And I [that am] the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.  I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets. 

Hosea 12:9-10

These similitudes spoken of by Hosea are clearly present in the Book of Genesis, especially with regard to Abraham and his relationship with Sarah, Isaac and his servant Eliezer.  In previous chapters we see how Abraham’s relationship with Isaac demonstrates the Father’s relationship with the Son.  What happens in chapter 24 is also a similitude, but this depiction is between the Spirit, the Son and His bride.  Just as Sarah represented Israel as the wife of God, Rebekah is to be the bride of Isaac who we have already determined to be a “type” of Christ.  This chapter is symbolic of that which is yet to come being the marriage of the Lamb.

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed [are] they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 

Revelation 19:7-9

I.                Abraham Commissions His Servant to Seek a Bride for His Son (Genesis 1-9)

a.      Genesis 24:1 – And Abraham was old, [and] well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.

1.      Abraham was old and well stricken back in chapter 18, he is much older here

2.      He is between 137 and 140 years old

b.      Genesis 24:2 - 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:

1.      Note that Abraham sent his eldest servant, why might Abraham have sent the eldest?

·        Likely he considered this task of great importance and sent the servant who was the most trusted

·        May have thought sending a young servant to fetch his son a young bride was not a wise choice in that the servant may have found the bride, but may not have returned.

2.      Likely Eliezer from Chapter 15 v.2

·        Genesis 15:2 - And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house [is] this Eliezer of Damascus?

o       Eliezer - אליעזר 'Eliy`ezer, "God is help"

o       Eliezer meaning God is help or comforter

o       It is not a certainty that Eliezar is the servant, but it does appear likely

·        John 14:15-18 - If ye love me, keep my commandments.   And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;  [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

• Comforter - παράκλητος paraklētos, In the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant

                                                                                                           i.     The Holy Spirit lead the apostles to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and gave them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom.

                                                                                                          ii.     The same Holy Spirit is present today helping believers to overcome a fallen world

• Just as God will send His Church a helper, Abraham sent a man whose name means helper to seek out a bride for his son.
• Hebrews 13:6 - So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

·        John 16:13 - Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.  All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.

o       Christ declares that the Holy Spirit will not speak of himself, but only seek to glorify the Father and the Son.  The servant in this passage is nameless (we only know the name through a prior verse) We will see in this passage that Eliezer never speaks of himself, only of his master and the master’s son.

o       Eliezer could be viewed as a clear physical representation of the Holy Spirit

3.      “hand under my thigh” – this was a way of making an oath

c.      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:

1.      Where is Isaac?

·        Genesis 22:19 - So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

·        Immediately after the sacrifice on Mt. Moriah Abraham and his two servants returned to Beersheba.  There is no mention of Isaac, is this an intentional omission?

·        Isaac does not make a personal appearance again until v. 62 where it indicates that Isaac was living near “the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country” and not living with his father Abraham.

o       Lahairoi - באר לחי ראי Bĕ'er la-Chay Ro'iy, "well of the Living One seeing me", a well west of Kadesh, south of Israel

·        So where was he?

o       The book of Jasher actually says that Isaac returned with Abraham from Mt. Moriah to Beersheeba.

                                                                                                                i.     Jasher  23:87 – And when Abraham had finished his service he returned with his son Isaac to his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba, and they came home.

                                                                                                               ii.     But when they got to Beersheba they learned that Sarah was told that Isaac was dead and she went as far as Hebron to find them, so Abraham, Isaac, and the servants went to Hebron to find her (this would explain why Abraham purchased the burial ground in Hebron instead of Beersheba)

o       According to the book of Jasher, after Sarah’s funeral, Isaac went to live with Shem for a time.

                                                                                                                i.     Jasher 24:17 – And when the days of their mourning passed by Abraham sent away his son Isaac, and he went to the house of Shem and Eber, to learn the ways of the Lord and his instructions, and Abraham remained there three years.

                                                                                                               ii.     Abraham remained in Hebron for 3 years and then returned to Beersheba with all of his servants

o       If Isaac is 37 years old then Shem is at least 527 of 600 years old, we are at ~429 years after the flood.

o       Here is another parallel to the coming Christ, for after Christ was resurrected He came back and spent some time with His disciples before He ascended promising to return for His bride.  Likewise, Isaac, after his “resurrection” returned for a while then went away only to return at the appointed time of his marriage.

2.      Additionally, the book of Jasher explains that it was the death of Nahor, his brother, that prompted Abraham:

·        Jasher 24:30 – And Abraham said to him, Behold I am old, I do not know the day of my death; for I am advanced in days; now therefore rise up, go forth and do not take a wife for my son from this place and from this land, from the daughters of the Canaanites amongst whom we dwell.

3.      Why doesn’t Abraham want his son to marry a Canaanite woman?

·        Remember from earlier in Genesis 9:25 that the Canaan was cursed of Noah and Genesis 9:26 says that Shem is to be blessed

·        Abraham is certainly aware of this and possibly wants to ensure that his posterity are free from any curse

·        There was also a second influx of Nephilim at some point and it may have already occurred

·        Similarly, the Holy Spirit in seeking the bride is looking for those who have been re-born followers of Christ through baptism and confession.

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

1.      Abraham is sending his servant to “his country” to find a bride for his son.  This “country” is Haran.

2.      God sends His servant the Holy Spirit, the Comforter/Helper, to find a bride for His Son.

e.      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?

1.      The servant wants to make sure he has the terms of the oath squared away, he understands what he is about to do will be a tremendous challenge.

·        The girl whom he will find has never seen Isaac and resides about five hundred miles away

·        There is little chance of her ever returning home.

·        The chance that a young lady would do this at the behest of a stranger is slim to none without the intervention of God

·        The servant understands this and wants to make sure he has an “out” if the girl is unwilling

·        He surely foresaw the difficulties of such a thing.

2.      Asks if he should then take Isaac back to Haran, so that the woman would see him in person

f.       Genesis 24:6 - And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.

1.      Abraham doesn’t want to chance the fact that Isaac may like it in Haran and abandon his inheritance in the land that God had promised

2.      This was a strict order

g.      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 spake unto me, and that sware 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.

1.      Abraham relays to the servant that this is a command from God and he will make his journey prosperous

2.      Eliezer, who has been with Abraham many years and would have seen Gods favor upon him, would increase in faith by hearing this from Abraham

h.      Genesis 24:8 - 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.

1.      If the girl doesn't come, he is free from this vow

2.      Repeats the order that he is not to take Isaac to Haran

·        Abraham knows that this is the land that God has promised to his seed. 

·        Abraham is taking no chances by allowing Isaac to go back to the land of Haran

i.       Genesis 24:9 - And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.

1.      After the servant understood the terms of the oath he made the vow

2.      He did not do so carelessly, but took precaution to fully understand what he was supposed to accomplish.

II.             The Servant Seeks a Bride for Isaac in Haran (Genesis 24:10-32)

a.      Genesis 24:10 - 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.

1.      Ten – denotes ordinal perfection according to Bullinger

2.      Could be representative of the law, the 10 commandments

3.      Mesopotamia – ארם נהרים 'Aram Naharayim, "Aram of the two rivers" or “exalted rivers”

4.      City of Nahor - נחור Nachowr, "snorting"

5.      Why so many camels packed down?

·        Likely carrying gifts for the bride and her family, a dowry.

o       Perhaps increasing the chance for success

o       Also very dangerous to take such valuable items over such a great distance for the risk of being robbed

·        Hebrews 2:4 - God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

6.      Jasher 24:34 – And Eliezer did as Abraham ordered him, and Eliezer swore unto Abraham his master upon this matter; and Eliezer rose up and took ten camels of the camels of his master, and ten men from his master’s servants with him, and they rose up and went to Haran, the city of Abraham and Nahor, in order to fetch a wife for Isaac the son of Abraham; and whilst they were gone Abraham sent to the house of Shem and Eber, and they brought from thence his son Isaac.

·        According to Jasher, Eliezer took ten men with the ten camels and Abraham sent for Isaac after they had left

o       Seems like an adequate defense against robbers

·        Abraham sent for Isaac who was at the house of Shem, no mention of this in Scripture

b.      Genesis 24:11 - 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].

1.      He did not enter into the city without an invitation

2.      Made his camels to kneel so they would not be a disturbance, he did not water them

c.      Genesis 24:12 - And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.

1.      Here we see that Eliezer was very wise, rather than engage in a hopeless search by his own power, he prayerfully requests God’s intervention. 

2.      Abraham’s servant knows how to pray from being with Abraham for a long time.

3.      He is not praying for himself, but that he may be able to accomplish the mission of his master

d.      Genesis 24:13 - Behold, I stand [here] by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:

1.      makes note of his location

e.      Genesis 24:14 - 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 shewed kindness unto my master.

1.      This sounds like a simple test, but what he is asking is extra-ordinarily difficult for a young woman.

2.      Camels drink about 20 gallons at a time, this would require extra-ordinary hospitality to perform such a task for a stranger.

3.      This is different than seeking a sign, Eliezer had already committed himself to the mission and completed the journey.  Here he is asking for the Lord’s assistance in narrowing the choices to the one whom God has chosen.  There is no indication of a lack of faith here.

f.       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.

1.      Remember, there is no record of the Lord instructing Abraham on who his son should marry, but here we see that God is blessing the mission by bringing Rebekah to the first place Eliezer stopped.

·        When we are aligned with the Will of God, our obstacles fade rather quickly.  God answered this prayer before he was done asking.

·        Contrast this with God answering Abraham’s prayers for a son, He has His own timing

2.      God knows what we need before we ask as Rebekah would have been well on her way to the well before Eliezer uttered the prayer, God knows what you are going to pray next week, He can set events in motion so that the answer will arrive before you finish praying.

3.      Milcah – Lot’s sister, daughter of Haran, Abraham’s other brother who had died before Abraham left.  So that means Nahor married his niece.

g.      Genesis 24:16 - 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.

1.      Rebekah was very beautiful

2.      A virgin, just as Christ expects from His bride not to be indoctrinated with false doctrine and following false gods

h.      Genesis 24:17 - And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.

1.      The servant ran; after a long journey combined with prayer he had to be relieved to find a candidate so soon

2.      Remember, if this servant is Eliezer, he is very old, yet finds himself rejuvenated at the prospect of accomplishing his mission

i.       Genesis 24:18 - And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.

1.      She hasted

2.      Compare her vitality in the next several verses to that of Abraham in chapter 18

3.      Eliezer could have been over eager here and asked if she would water his camels, but he showed patience by allowing events to play out

j.       Genesis 24:19 - And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw [water] for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.

1.      Can you imagine the look on Eliezer’s face?  He was probably standing there stunned in utter amazement at the power of God.

2.      Camels drink about 20 gallons of water at a time, this would have been about 200 gallons

3.      This would have taken a long time to fill a water trough of 200 gallons

4.      Could be symbolic of the Church's relationship with the law in that the law or the 10 commandments are preserved through the Church

5.      Certainly not many young girls would do this for a complete stranger

·        How does God influence what we say and at the same time provide for free-will?

·        Did Rebekah have a choice in her response?

o       Calvin would likely say no, she was elect she had no choice

o       Luther would likely say that her only choice was to choose evil, therefore it was only by God working through her that she would commit herself to such a task

6.      Matthew 25:34–40 - Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink?  When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]?  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.

·        We never know when we are given an opportunity to serve the Lord by serving others

·        Rebekah practically demonstrates how by taking in a stranger, she was unknowingly taking in the servant of her bridegroom

k.      Genesis 24:20- 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.

1.      She hasted

2.      and ran

3.      She drew water for all of the camels, and did it with purpose

l.       Genesis 24:21 - And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.

1.      Wondering - שאה sha'ah, verb, “to gaze”

2.      to perceive and see, find out, discern

3.      Eliezer shows that he is a very faithful servant here by going above and beyond for his master.  She has already passed the test by just uttering the words “I will draw [water] for thy camels also,” but Eliezer watches to see if she will actually do what she says she will do.  Wondering is very appropriate because he was most likely standing in wonder at the power of God bringing the woman full of virtue to him.

m.    Genesis 24:22 - 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;

1.      Earring - נזם nexem, ring, nose ring, earring

·        We can see from v. 47 that this is most likely a nose ring and not an earring