05.029. Chapter 24
Abraham bound his servant by an oath that in seeking a bride for Isaac, he would not allow him to marry a Canaanite or to live in Mesopotamia (Genesis 24:1-10). The ancient form of oath is described in Genesis 24:2-4, Genesis 24:9. “According to Biblical idiom, children are said to issue from the ‘thigh’ or loins’ of their lather (cf. Genesis 46:26), Placing the hand on the thigh signified that, in the event that an oath were violated, the children who had issued, or might issue from the ‘thigh’ would avenge the act of disloyalty. This has been called a ‘swearing by posterity’ and is particularly applicable here, because the servant’s mission is to insure a posterity for Abraham through Isaac.”11 The servant is a type (symbol) of the Holy Spirit sent by the Father to win a bride for the heavenly Isaac, the Lord Jesus. The narrative carefully records the preparation for the journey, the gifts carried by the servant, and the sign by which he would know the Lord’s chosen woman (Genesis 24:1-014). “It was a sign that was calculated to throw much light on the character and disposition of the girl worthy of his master’s son. He was merely to ask her for ‘a sip’—as the Hebrew word may be rendered—of water for himself: but the one whom God had chosen to be the mother of a great people and a remote ancestress of Jesus Christ would reveal her generous nature and her willingness to serve others by offering him not a mere ‘sip’ of water but an abundant ‘drink.’ To this she was also to add the astonishing offer of drawing water for the camels also. Now when we consider that these ten beasts, after the toil of the long desert, were prepared to empty at least four barrels of water in all the spontaneous willingness of the girl of his prayers to serve man and beast would point to a kindly and unselfish disposition and also to a character of the highest order.”12
It was lovely Rebekah, of course, who fulfilled the conditions and who therefore received the servant’s gifts (Genesis 24:15-22). As she led him to her father’s home, Abraham’s servant knew that his search had ended (Genesis 24:23-27). When Rebekah explained the situation to her brother, Laban, he welcomed the entourage graciously, then heard the servant present his request for Rebekah as a bride for Isaac {Genesis 24:28-49). The marvelous convergence of circumstances in answer to the servant’s prayer convinced Laban and Bethuel, Rebekah’s father, that the Lord had arranged it all (Genesis 24:50-51). The servant then brought out gifts for Rebekah, Laban, and their mother, sealing the engagement (Genesis 24:63). In the morning, the family wanted to delay her departure, but Rebekah’s willingness to go settled the matter Genesis 24:55-59), and she left with their blessing (Genesis 24:60). The first time we see Isaac after his experience on Mount Moriah is when he went forth to meet Rebekah. So the first time we will see the Savior after His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension is when He returns to claim His chosen bride (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Isaac’s meeting with Rebekah is one of tender beauty (Genesis 24:61-67). Without ever having seen her before, he married her and loved her, and, unlike other patriarchs, he had no other wife besides her.