50 Laban and Bethuel answered, "This is from the LORD; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. 51 Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has directed."
52 When Abraham's servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD. 53 Then the servant brought out gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother. 54 Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night there.
When they got up the next morning, he said, "Send me on my way to my master."
55 But her brother and her mother replied, "Let the girl remain with us ten days or so; then you may go."
56 But he said to them, "Do not detain me, now that the LORD has granted success to my journey. Send me on my way so I may go to my master."
57 Then they said, "Let's call the girl and ask her about it." 58 So they called Rebekah and asked her, "Will you go with this man?"
"I will go," she said.
59 So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham's servant and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,
"Our sister, may you increase
to thousands upon thousands;
may your offspring possess
the gates of their enemies."
(Genesis 24:50-60)
In this passage it is difficult to tell who is the more nobler person- Abraham's servant, or the young lady whom he is tasked to bring home to his master's son for a wife. Both of these individuals are well worth talking about. As was discussed yesterday, the servant was surprised and elated for having found such a high caliber of a person so soon. Women such as Rebekah are very difficult to find. But it was clear that the servant had high standards. Her thoughtfulness and unselfishness impressed him from the very beginning. When Rebekah's father and older brother heard that the servant was from their kinsman's family, they were determined to welcome him with a feast. However, the servant insisted that he would not eat until he had stated his business with them. Perhaps this went against the custom somewhat, but the servant desired to show no pretense with them- to eat their food and to drink their wine might influence his decision making somewhat or tempt him to lower his standards or conditions. It would not leave them wondering what his intentions were, and that tends to make people edgy. "Would these people have favor with me?" he must have thought, "What if they kill me for what I'm about to propose? Would they at the very least laugh me to scorn and reject me?" With such intense emotions within him, there was no way the servant could have eaten anyway. He probably swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and spoke clearly and concisely. Can you feel the uneasy tension falling over the group?
After stating his business, he ate as he was invited and gave the customary homage and brought out the gifts for the young bride he had selected. He was clearly a man on a mission. The next morning, the servant announced he would be leaving as soon as possible. But the bride's brother (possibly assuming the role as head of the family) and her mother wanted to keep her there for another ten days. The servant was not intimidated or pressured to relent in any way, insisting graciously that they be allowed to leave for God had granted them success for the journey. Only at this point did the brother ask his sister if she would willingly go with the servant. The young lady dutifully responded and announced her desire to go as a woman of courage as well as one of great faith. A huge sigh of relief was heard by all, and Rebekah's family along with Abraham's family stood united in purpose. Their destinies would be welded together many times throughout the years.
The servant's integrity and single-mindedness, combined with Rebekah's faithfulness and dutifulness must have been a powerful force to be seen that day as they prepared the young bride to go knowing that they may not see her again. Yet here is one of those times when God makes Himself known in our lives with such intensity it is unmistakable. When it happens, even though the situation is not without its challenges, but things work out so much better than we could have ever prayed or imagined. This is what we call "a God thing!"
"God Things" are rare, but when they happen, a strange warm catches hold of our hearts and slaps us still with a sense of awe. Its in the knowing that more than one destiny is at stake- it's the keen awareness that the plan and purpose of God has been revealed, and that you are now part of it. Perhaps you are now at the crossroads of one of those moments that breaks through the pall of monotony around you that shows you God is still there. Why don't we experience this more? Let's not forget how Abraham's servant prepared himself before he set out for the journey. He prayed not just once, but throughout. And he was not surprised when the "God Thing" confronted him, and was prepared to know what to do when it happened.
Prayer: Father today I reach out for that God Thing. The circumstances of my life You can override simply by making my own will submissive to Your own. May it be to me today, and may I see myself part of what You want to do not just for my life, but for all concerned. May I realize that God Thing today.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
Have a blessed day!
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