Genesis 24

Princess Bride—

How did you meet?

Some people now meet online.

Some people get set up by friends.

Lauren and I have a tangled story.

All of it is providential,

I. Abraham’s Commission to His Servant 

Genesis 24:1–9 ESV

1 Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, 3 that I may make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, 4 but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” 5 The servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” 6 Abraham said to him, “See to it that you do not take my son back there. 7 The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. 8 But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.” 9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.

Abraham is nearing death and so there’s something he has to take care of.

The promise is that there would be seed.

And Isaac doesn’t have a wife, yet.

So he brings in his servant and they do this awkward moment. He places his hand under his thigh.

Now that is a euphemism.

Essenitially, he places his hand in the loins of Abraham.

And as the great theologian Forrest Gump said “That’s all I have to say about that.”

But this is something that they did.

And so instructs his servant to find a wife for Isaac—

But he’s very specific as to where this wife must come from. 

She can’t come from the Canaanites. 

She has to come from within his own family.

But The servant must not take Isaac back to Mesopotamia.

The servant is concnerned about this because essentially, what women is going to agree to marry a man she’s never seen?

Abraham expresses faith that God will send His angel before him.

The servant agrees and swears an oath to carry out the mission.

Application:

As we think about this section a couple of things I want to point out.

There are some lines that we must draw. There are some spiritual priorities that we must make.

Abraham prioritizes a godly spouse for his son—this shows the importance of spiritual alignment in relationships.

Abraham has two things in mind I believe here.

That Isaac not go back to his homeland because they were currently in the promised land. He didn’t want him to go back to the place God had called him out of.

He wanted to make sure Isaac did not marry a women from among these pagan Canaanites.

Now, this is not a racial thing. It is a matter of worship. The Canaanites were idol worshippers and rank pagans, and so Abraham is sedning the servant to get a wife from among his people.

And in this there is a definite Trust in God’s guidance. The servant questions the thought of a woman coming back with him Isaac sight unseen.

But Abraham is confident, because God has and will continue to be faithful.

NoW ANOTHER thing I want to mention here—

Parental involvement in choosing a spouse for their child has been a common practice throughout history.

I know that today, that kind of thing is laughed at.

Even the portion of the marriage ceremony where the dad gives his daughter away to her husband is almost now like a rubber stamp.

It’s just something that is expected without really any kind of meaningful action at all.

And maybe the days of arrainged marriages are over, but I will say, that parents should take an active role in encouraging our children in what they should be looking for in a godly spouse.

I also believe it is absolutely within your God given role to not give your blessing to someone who is ungodly.

And so as we move on, keep these things in mind.

Abraham is sending his servant, trusting in His sovereign God to give His son a wife so that the promise of God made to him can be fulfilled.

But Abraham is also careful, not just any woman will do.

So now the text turns to the servants journey.

II. The Servant’s Journey and Prayer (vv. 10–14)

Genesis 24:10–14 ESV

10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, taking all sorts of choice gifts from his master; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor. 11 And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time when women go out to draw water. 12 And he said, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.”

The servant sets out with gifts and arrives in Nahor.

And he goes to the well, because apparently, this is where pretty ladies hung out.

Borgman says here “He sets himself in the place of providence.”

He doesnt go hang out in the desert and wait for the Lord to drop a beautiful lady from the sky.

He goes to the hangout.

And At the well, he prays for a clear and specific sign: that the right girl will offer water for him and his camels.

And some here may want to be upset that he is wanting a sign, but I think in this moment, this is appropriate.

This is an act of trust in God’s perfect plan.

This is a trusting and confirmation of God’s providence.

The servant teaches us to ask God boldly, yet reverently, for direction.

God cares about the details of our lives. No matter how small our request may seem, He listens.

III. Rebekah’s Arrival and the Sign Fulfilled (vv. 15–27)

Genesis 24:15–27 ESV

15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder. 16 The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. 17 Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.” 18 She said, “Drink, my lord.” And she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink. 19 When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” 20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels. 21 The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not. 22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels, 23 and said, “Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” 24 She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” 25 She added, “We have plenty of both straw and fodder, and room to spend the night.” 26 The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord 27 and said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the Lord has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen.”

Rebekah arrives before the prayer is even finished.

She fulfills the exact sign—offering water to the servant and all his camels.

The servant watches in wonder, then worships and praises God.Application:

God often answers before we even finish asking. This was in the providence of God.

Isaiah 65:24 ESV

24 Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.

Look for God’s hand in everyday moments.

Drawing water seemed ordinary, but it was divinely orchestrated.

Respond with worship. When we see God at work, praise should be our natural response, we should understsand that he is doing something even in the ordinary and mundane things.

IV. Rebekah’s Family and the Proposal (vv. 28–49)

Genesis 24:28–49 ESV

28 Then the young woman ran and told her mother’s household about these things. 29 Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban. Laban ran out toward the man, to the spring. 30 As soon as he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and heard the words of Rebekah his sister, “Thus the man spoke to me,” he went to the man. And behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 31 He said, “Come in, O blessed of the Lord. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.” 32 So the man came to the house and unharnessed the camels, and gave straw and fodder to the camels, and there was water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33 Then food was set before him to eat. But he said, “I will not eat until I have said what I have to say.” He said, “Speak on.” 34 So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35 The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, camels and donkeys. 36 And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old, and to him he has given all that he has. 37 My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell, 38 but you shall go to my father’s house and to my clan and take a wife for my son.’ 39 I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’ 40 But he said to me, ‘The Lord, before whom I have walked, will send his angel with you and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my clan and from my father’s house. 41 Then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my clan. And if they will not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’ 42 “I came today to the spring and said, ‘O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, if now you are prospering the way that I go, 43 behold, I am standing by the spring of water. Let the virgin who comes out to draw water, to whom I shall say, “Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,” 44 and who will say to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,” let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.’ 45 “Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ 46 She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels drink also. 47 Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms. 48 Then I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. 49 Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”

Outline:

Rebekah runs home; Laban brings the servant in.

The servant retells the whole story, emphasizing God’s providence.

He formally proposes Rebekah as a wife for Isaac.

Application:

Share stories that glorify God.

The servant’s testimony is centered on what God did.

Let God get the glory in your success. All blessings come from Him.

V. Rebekah’s Agreement and Departure (vv. 50–61)

Genesis 24:50–61 ESV

50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing has come from the Lord; we cannot speak to you bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has spoken.” 52 When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before the Lord. 53 And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments. 54 And he and the men who were with him ate and drank, and they spent the night there. When they arose in the morning, he said, “Send me away to my master.” 55 Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.” 56 But he said to them, “Do not delay me, since the Lord has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.” 57 They said, “Let us call the young woman and ask her.” 58 And they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.” 59 So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become thousands of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him!” 61 Then Rebekah and her young women arose and rode on the camels and followed the man. Thus the servant took Rebekah and went his way.

Laban and Bethuel acknowledge this is from the Lord.

Rebekah agrees to go immediately.

Her family blesses her with a prayer for fruitfulness and legacy.

Genesis 24:50–61 ESV

“Our sister, may you become thousands of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him!”

She departs with the servant.

Application:

Obey God—even when the future is unknown.

Rebekah’s willingness here shows that her heart has already been prepared.

God has provided.

VI. Isaac and Rebekah’s Marriage (vv. 62–67)

Genesis 24:62–67 ESV

62 Now Isaac had returned from Beer-lahai-roi and was dwelling in the Negeb. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming. 64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel 65 and said to the servant, “Who is that man, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Outline:

Isaac is in the Negev when Rebekah arrives.

She veils herself out of modesty; the servant recounts everything.

Isaac takes her as his wife and loves her.

He is comforted after his mother’s death.

Application:

God’s timing is perfect. Isaac wasn’t searching, but God brought Rebekah at the right time.

Marriage should be built on faith and love. Isaac’s love and comfort point to the blessing of a godly union.

God’s provision brings peace. Rebekah’s arrival helped heal Isaac’s grief—a reminder of God’s care in every season.

Sermon 

At the end of all this, the point is that the next patriarch Isaac has his matriarch.

And his matriarch was god’s choice.

Well, we have read every verse. 

I’ve done my best to explain every verse. And now for the 26 points of application.

God has been faithful to Abraham every step of the way 

Abraham has convictions about marriage 

His wife cannot be a Cannaanite. 

Isaac cannot go back to the land of Abraham

There are standards that Abraham set. 

Yes, he is trusting in the faithful promises of God, but he takes action to ensure that those promises come to pass in the way that God would have them too. 

Some want to marry so badly that they exchange their soul. 

We have to understand that who we marry is very important. 

We must not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. 

"When men and women are about to be married how much of life then trembles in the balances. Upon the choice of a partner in life the fashion of that life may depend. Whether self or Christ, the world or God, shall be the master-motive of the household, may be decided by the finger which wears the plain gold ring."

~ Charles H. Spurgeon

Lastly, let me reemphasize this important truth. That God is providentially working his will over all things. 

From the Heidelberg Catechism (1563):

Q. What do you understand by the providence of God?

A. God's providence is his almighty and ever present power, whereby, as with his hand, he upholds

heaven and earth and all creatures, and so governs them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, food and drink, health and sickness,riches and poverty,  indeed, all things, come to us not by chance but by his fatherly hand. We can be patient in adversity,  thankful in prosperity, and with a view to the future we can have a firm confidence in our faithful God and Father that no creature shall separate us from his love; for all creatures are so completely in his hand that without his will they cannot so much as move.

Some of us are worry warts. 

Some of us are control freaks. 

We want every minor detail outlined and every thing has to go the way we plan.

Let me remind us all tonight: we are not in control. 

But we serve God who is. 

So we pray, we trust, and we in trust then leave all things in the hands of our sovereign God.