Sermon Tone Analysis
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Background
Last week we witnessed the death of Sarah, and Abraham’s interactions with the pagan sons of Heth in the purchasing of land in order to bury his dead.
Today’s going to be done a bit differently.
We will be reading large chunks of Scripture in order to make it through the entire chapter.
It is a historically important story, so we don’t want to skip any of it.
There isn’t a natural break in this storyline, so it ought to be read as one piece.
TIMELINE
Abraham had just recently lost his wife Sarah, and now in his old age, his concern is for his son, to have a wife and continue on the legacy and fulfill the promises God had given him.
He summoned the eldest of his servants, who was also his steward, to go and find a wife for Isaac.
This man was a trusted servant for an extremely important task.
Abraham intended to send a servant whom he knew had his master’s best interest at heart, and not his own.
It’s entirely possible, but not known, that this was Eliezer of Damascus.
There is an interesting oath taking place here in this chapter, and is only seen one other time in Scripture, at the end of Genesis.
There is lots of speculation as to the importance of its meaning:
Pagan ritual, not thigh but reproductive area, circumcision, promise of posterity by God...
I think the best understanding is to both emphasize the importance of and trustworthiness needed for this assignment, and also recognition of the status of the one making the oath.
There is also some thought that this sign signifies that if the oath were to be broken, the children born to Abraham would avenge him.
It is important to note that Abraham is making his servant swear by his God.
The servant would understand that Abraham’s God is both real and powerful.
The servant needs some clarification and further instruction, and Abraham points him back to the covenant.
Why from his ancestry?
Abraham knew the condition of the pagans he was living around.
He knew their future judgments, and sought to continue the line from which he came.
He also knew his kinsmen and their faithfulness.
God uses man to accomplish His will in the world.
Note Abraham’s faith - God will send His angel ahead to ensure the success of the errand.
It was not unusual for the servant to take so many camels, and the goods that he did.
In those days, taking a wife required a dowry to be paid.
MAP
The servant sought wisdom and direction from the God of Abraham, whom he had been told was going before him.
The servant asks God for a sign, that he may know whom God has chosen in advance.
There is nothing wrong in seeking a specific sign to reveal God’s plan.
There are several biblical instances where this takes place, and God honors the request.
Moses, Gideon, Saul, Jonathan, David, etc.
What is important is that the ask must be for God’s will, not our own.
Rebekah is revealed even before the servant finishes his request.
As he sees her getting water, he puts out the test he made for God’s will.
Sure enough, it comes to pass.
When the servant sees the fulfillment of his request, he moves forward in fulfilling his oath.
He must seek the father of Rebekah to give the dowry.
Hospitality was a part of that.
The servant reveals what his mission is, and Rebekah goes and tells her mother.
Laban is an important secondary figure in Jewish history, and his relation should be remembered for future study.
Also recognize that the servant’s wealth is what was noticed.
Laban took the initiative to offer hospitality.
The servant was faithful and would not enjoy refreshment until he relayed his purpose.
The household would know who Abraham and Sarah were, being relatives.
The servant acknowledges God’s hand at work in the events that play out.
He also asks directly if they will honor the request.
Abraham’s relatives recognize his God as well, and honor the request.
The dowry is paid, and all appears to be moving forward well.
In the morning, the servant was ready to move on, but the family wanted to delay.
This also should be remembered for Laban in the future.
It was not an unusual request for the delay, but the servant felt this was a pressing matter and insisted.
He invoked the Lord so that they would release Rebekah.
We must not allow the world to distract us from accomplishing what God has for us to do.
Rebekah was asked at this point, not before, and she was ready and willing to go.
Rebekah is blessed by her family before she goes, and them they leave.
Isaac sees them coming, and is told of what took place.
He realizes that his future bride is standing before him, and takes her to become his wife.
The bride was typically taken into the matriarch’s home, but in this case Sarah was already dead.
Isaac’s comfort reveals that the events of ch.
23 are recent.
This is confirmed by information in ch. 25, that only 3 years had passed.
APPLICATION
God uses man to accomplish His will in the world.
We must not allow the world to distract us from accomplishing what God has for us to do.
Next week, we will continue through the book of Genesis.
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