GENESIS LESSON 34


     Let's begin this lesson in Genesis 24:1 "And Abraham was old,
[and] well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all
things."
     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:"
     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 realized that he was growing old. His son, Isaac, was at the
age where young men seek a wife. This servant that Abraham had
entrusted all to, had certainly been a man of integrity who loved and
feared God, or else Abraham would not have had the servant to swear by
Him. Abraham realized that the people around him were a heathen people,
He did not want his son, Isaac, unequally yoked to these women of the
world. Canaan, at this time, was not living for God. Abraham
recognized God for being God of earth and heaven, when he made the
servant take the oath.

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

     Even today children would be much better off, if they would seek
someone of their own faith to marry. We should not even consider
people of the world for a lifetime mate. Abraham was sure this family
was believers.

     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?"

     This servant was not as sure as Abraham that he would be able to
find the right wife for Isaac. Even if he found her, he was not
confident that she would believe, and follow him into a strange land.
His question was a reasonable one, if you were not taking in to account
Abraham's standing with God.

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

     You see, God had spoken to Abraham and he was sure that the girl,
that God Himself had chosen for Isaac a wife, would gladly come with
the servant. He felt that she would be such a lady that the Lord would
already have prepared her for just this. Abraham's confidence in God
was so strong, there was no chance for failure.

     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."

     Again, there was no question in Abraham's mind. If God tells you
to go, then there can be no results except good results. Then he told
the servant, but if by some unusual circumstance this did not happen,
I would not hold you to the oath.

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

     After the servant realized that things beyond his control would
not be charged to his account, then he swore as Abraham had asked
him.

     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."

     This servant had to be a very trusted servant, because all of
Abraham's goods were in his care. In these times, until the son became
of age, the father would trust an old faithful servant over the child.
This was an obedient servant, going where his master sent him to bring
a wife for Isaac. Note the ten camels. We have learned before that the
number ten has to do with the world. This was a close relative where
the servant was going.

     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]."
     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."
     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:"
     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."

     This servant, like so many of us today, was entering very strange
territory. He had no idea, on his own, how to seek Isaac a wife. He
asked God for His help. His plan was a good one, because all the women
of the city came to this well for water. Camels drink tremendous
amounts of water, so the girl who offered to draw water for them
would, first of all, be very industrious, and also have a great
concern for people and animals in need. This humble spirit in this
girl would be just right for Isaac's wife. Notice that this servant
spoke of God as Abraham's God. This servant was intelligent to be able
to figure this little plan out and lay it before God.

     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."
     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."

     This beautiful young maiden was not only beautiful on the
exterior, but was a virgin, as well, pure in every way. She was Isaac's
2nd cousin. She was at the very well where Abraham's servant waited.

     Genesis 24:17 "And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me,
I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher."
     Genesis 24:18 "And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and
let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink."
     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."

     As we can easily see, the Lord quickly answered his prayer, this
maiden was beautiful, courteous, tender-hearted, not lazy. The
servant's search was over, but now, there was the task of convincing
her and her family.

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

     Isn't that just like we do? She did everything he had prayed
about, and yet, it seemed so easy to him, that he started doubting.
God gives us a sign, and we are too blind to see it.

     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;"
     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?"
     Genesis 24:24 "And she said unto him, I [am] the daughter of
Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor."
     Genesis 24:25 "She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and
provender enough, and room to lodge in."

     This surely would convince the servant. God had sent him to this
family where he would find Isaac's wife. These gifts that he gave
Rebekah were very valuable. They were made of pure gold. Since the
gifts were made of gold, we can be assured of his intentions. More
than looking for a place to rest, he was looking for a way to meet and
talk to her parents.

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

     This servant suddenly had realized that God was able to do mighty
things to work things out according to His plans. Even though he had
spoken of God as Abraham's God, he, too, bows and worships God
himself. He knew that it was not by accident that he was led to this
well and met this Rebekah.

     Genesis 24:28 "And the damsel ran, and told [them of] her
mother's house these things."
     Genesis 24:29  "And Rebekah had a brother, and his name [was]
Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well."

     Just like any little young girl would do, she ran home to tell
all. Rebekah's brother seemed to be the nearest thing to a man in the
home. Laban rushed out to meet this man that his sister was telling
about. "Laban" means white. So this was a fair skinned tribe.

     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."

     Rebekah told her brother about the gifts, and about what the man
said unto her. Laban went to check it out, and make sure his sister was 
telling him the way it really was. The servant was still waiting at 
the well, now knowing that his mission was about to be accomplished.

     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."

     Laban invited the servant in. He even called him blessed.
Laban could obviously see the ten camels laden with goods, and he knew
this was a man of means, else why would he give Rebekah these expensive
gifts? Laban had undoubtedly had his servants to prepare a place for
this guest and put out provender for his camels, as we see in verse 32.

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

     There was great hospitality being shown Abraham's servant and
those that were with them. The desert was dry and dusty. It was a very
pleasant custom to wash one's feet after many hours in the hot sand in
sandals. The servant was so excited in finding the right family, that
he would not eat, until he explained who he was, and why he was there. He
brought good news to Abraham's relatives about him. Abraham had left
home at the request of God, and probably, they had not heard from him
since he left. They were happy to know he was alive, and of all his
blessings.

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

     Now, he hasdtold all. The main thing was that Isaac was not to
marry a heathen.

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

     The servant had given the family the whole story, and then awaited
their answer.

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

     the family agreed, because they believed it to be the will of God.







































                             Questions 34


1.  How had God blessed Abraham?
2.  Who ruled Abraham's house?
3.  What did Abraham make the servant do to insure he would follow
    orders?
4.  Where is the Lord God of?
5.  Who was Isaac not to marry?
6.  Why did Abraham send the servant away to find a wife for Isaac?
7.  Where was the servant sent?
8.  What would happen, if she wouldn't come?
9.  Who shall go before the servant and prepare the way?
10. What, in Abraham, left no chance for failure?
11. What would the servant be clear of, if the girl would not come?
12. How did they seal the promise?
13. How many camels did the servants take?
14. Where did he go? What city?
15. What did the servant make the camels do? Where?
16. What time was it?
17. What did the servant do?
18. Who came to the well?
19. What would the servant ask one of the girls?
20. What would show this girl was thoughtful, and not lazy?
21. What was the name of the girl the servant chose to ask?
22. Describe her.
23. What relation was she to Isaac?
24. What did the servant give her?
25. What did he ask her?
26. Who was her grandfather?
27. What was her brother's name?
28. When the servant realized God had answered his prayer, what did he
    do?
29. Why did the servant call Him Abraham's God?
30. What had to happen before the servant would eat?
31. What was the family's answer after hearing the whole story?
32. Why did they answer this way?