Listen to sermons at FreeGraceRadio.com

Sermon #2382 — Miscellaneous Sermons

Title: A Bride for Isaac

Text: Genesis 24:1-67

Subject:

Date: Tuesday Evening — January 9, 2018

Readings: Genesis 24:1-15 (1^st line), 26-28, 32-42

(1^st line), 48-53, 56-58, 61-67

Lindsay Campbell and Merle Hart

Introduction:

God’s promise to his church is, “I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah 3:15). And he tells us plainly what kind of men those men are who are pastors according to God’s heart. They are faithful men, men who faithfully declare the message of redemption and grace in Christ for the glory of God. God’s servants are not religious hirelings! They serve God’s people and God’s interests in this world as pastors according to God’s own heart.

An Allegory

In Genesis 24 the Holy Spirit gives us an allegory from the history of Abraham and Isaac. The historical facts recorded in this chapter are written to teach us spiritual truths. Abraham was an old man. Sarah was dead. And Isaac had not yet married. He had neither wife nor children. So Abraham called Eliezer, his servant, and sent him down to Mesopotamia to find a bride for his son, Isaac.

These 67 verses of Holy Scripture give us both a picture of the grace of God in the salvation of his elect and a picture of the work of every faithful gospel preacher. Abraham could have gone down to Mesopotamia himself to get a bride for his son, but he chose to send his servant, Eliezer. And, without question, the Lord God could save his elect without the use of the gospel ministry, but “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21). “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). In this chapter God shows us how his servants are to go about the business of seeking a bride for his dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The title of my message is A BRIDE FOR ISAAC. In this story of Abraham’s servant seeking a bride for his master’s son, Isaac...

· Abraham represents God the Father, our covenant God.

· Isaac represents the Lord Jesus Christ.

· Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, represents the gospel preacher who, as an instrument in the hands of God the Holy Ghost, is sent out to seek chosen sinners and bring them to Christ.

· Rebekah represents every true believer, converted and brought to Christ in faith by the power and grace of God through the preaching of the gospel.

Proposition: Every true gospel preacher, like Eliezer of Damascus, is sent of God to find a wife for his Son, Christ Jesus the Lord. That is our business. We have no other business in the world.

In this chapter the Holy Spirit shows us plainly what God’s servants are sent to do and how they are to do it. Throughout the chapter Eliezer, Abraham’s faithful servant, spoke and acted like a man who felt that he must do exactly what his master told him to do, go exactly where his master told him to go, and say exactly what his master told him to say. He had a work to do. And he was honor bound, by his own oath, to do it. Now, let’s look at the story.

Divisions: As we go through this story, I will call your attention to seven lessons to be learned from it.

1. The servant of God is sent into the world for a specific purpose (vv. 1-4).

2. The man who is sent of God cannot accomplish his work by compromise (vv. 5-9).

3. The man who is sent of God knows that his work is too great for him (vv. 10-14).

4. God’s servant must seek, wait for, and follow God’s direction (vv. 15-28).

5. The servant of God must not get side tracked (vv. 32-51).

6. The servant of God must press upon sinners the claims of Christ, calling for them to make an immediate decision (vv. 52-60).

7. The man who is sent of God always accomplishes the work God has sent him to perform (vv. 61-67).

A Specific Purpose

1^st — The servant of God is sent into this world for a specific purpose (vv. 1-4).

Abraham said to his servant, “Go take a wife unto my son Isaac” (v. 4).

(Genesis 24:1-4 “And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. (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: (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: (4) But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.”

Abraham was a wealthy man, greatly blessed of God. And his son, Isaac, was the heir of all that Abraham possessed. Abraham sent his trusted servant, Eliezer, to find a bride for Isaac from among his own people, a bride who would share with Isaac all the riches and glory of his father’s kingdom.

NOTE: He is wise who seeks his bride among his own people! — “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14)

Now, get the picture. — The Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten, well-beloved Son of God, is the Heir of all things.

God the Father has given all things into the hands of his dear Son (John 3:35; 5:23; Colossians 1:16-18).

(John 3:35) “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.”

(John 5:23) “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.”

(Colossians 1:16-18) “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (17) And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (18) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

Christ is sovereign Lord and King of all things by eternal decree, covenant design, and his victorious death as our Substitute (Romans 14:9; John 17:1-3).

(Romans 14:9) “For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.”

(John 17:1-3) “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: (2) As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. (3) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

There is a people in this world, chosen out of every nation, kindred, tribe, and tongue to be the bride of Christ and joint-heirs with him of all that he possesses (Romans 8:14-17, 29-31; Ephesians 1:3-7).

(Ephesians 1:3-7) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (4) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

Just as Abraham sent Eliezer to find a bride for Isaac, God calls and sends his servants out into the world to find this chosen bride for his Son, by the preaching of the gospel (Mark 16:15-16; 1 Corinthians 1:17-18, 26-31; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21).

(Mark 16:15-16) “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

(1 Corinthians 1:17-18) “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

(1 Corinthians 1:26-31) “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: (27) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: (29) That no flesh should glory in his presence. (30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

(2 Corinthians 5:18-21) “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. (21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Gospel preachers are sent of God to seek out his elect from among the fallen sons and daughters of Adam. The work we are sent to do is a joyful, but weighty responsibility. Like Eliezer, God’s servant gets his directions from his Master. He has a definite work he is sworn to do.

Like Eliezer’s, our work is most delightful. What can be more joyful than the sound of wedding bells ringing? I am sent to find a bride for the Lord Jesus Christ, the heir of all things! Nothing could be more honorable.

This is the business upon which my Master’s heart from eternity has been set. Isaac was now forty years old, or older. And there was no one to declare his generation, no one to carry on his name, no one with whom he could share the riches of his inheritance. So, Abraham sent Eliezer down into Mesopotamia to fetch him a bride, so that the covenant of God might be fulfilled. Nothing was more important to Abraham’s heart. Therefore, nothing was more important to Eliezer’s heart. Yet, Eliezer’s work was nothing compared to the work God’s servants are sent to perform. Our great Father’s heart is set upon giving Christ a church, which shall be his beloved bride forever.

The God-man must not dwell alone. Christ must have a suitable companion.
The Father is determined to find a bride for the Bridegroom, a recompense for the Redeemer, a satisfaction for the Savior.
And he has called chosen men to do the work. Truly, “we have this treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Yet, though ours is the most delightful work in the world, it is the weightiest, most important, most awesome work in the world. That man who is called of God to seek a bride for his Son has an indescribable weight of responsibility. As you read this chapter, you cannot help noticing that throughout the whole work Eliezer carried a great burden upon his heart. He had to represent and speak for Abraham and Isaac before people who knew neither his master nor his master’s son.

That is exactly what God’s servants are called to do. Isaac was an extraordinary man. He was a man born according to promise, not after the flesh, but by the power of God.

Isaac was born to fulfil the covenant promise of God. He was the heir of the promise. And all others, for whom the covenant was made, could receive the blessings of that covenant only by virtue of their union with him.
Isaac, you will remember, had been offered as a sacrifice to God upon the mount. And he was, in a figure, raised from the dead. Isaac was everything to Abraham.

Now Eliezer is sent to find a bride for him!

In all these things Isaac was a type of Christ. What a weighty errand we have, who are sent of God to find a bride Son, the fulfilment of the covenant, the Heir of the covenant, the crucified Substitute, the risen King, the exalted Lord! Who shall be a bride for the Son of God? — That one whom Eliezer brought to Isaac must, at the very least, be exceedingly beautiful and perfectly willing to be Isaac’s wife.

This is my responsibility as the servant of God. — I am looking for people who are willing to be married to the Lord Jesus Christ and worthy to be married to him. Where can such a bride be found among the children of Adam? The task is impossible! There are none who are willing. There are none who are worthy! With men, it is impossible. But with God all things are possible. By the power and grace of his Spirit God makes his people willing in the day of his power (Psalms 65:4; 110:3). And God makes his own elect worthy to be heirs with his Son (Colossians 1:12).

· Imputed Righteousness in Justification.

· Imparted Righteousness in Regeneration. – Sanctification

· Both are essential to that holiness without which no man can see God.

The servant of God is sent into the world for a specific purpose. It is the most delightful and the most honorable work in the world. But it is also the most demanding, awesome, weighty work in the world. We are sent of God into the world to search out and find a bride for his dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! There is no place in this work for half-hearted men. This work demands all the servant’s heart, all his talent, all his energy, all his care, and all his time. It demands the whole man!

No Compromise

2^nd — The man who is sent of God to seek a bride for his Son can never accomplish his work by compromise (vv. 5-9).

(Genesis 24:5-9) “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? (6) And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again. (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. (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. (9) And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.”

I am sure that Eliezer was full of questions about his work. But in these verses, he expressed a most reasonable fear and asked a most reasonable question. He said, “Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again into the land from whence thou camest?” What if the woman is not willing to leave her home, her family and her country to love, marry, and give herself to a man she does not know and has never seen? What if she does not believe my message? If the woman will not come up to your son, shall I bring your son down to the woman? Now carefully notice Abraham’s answer. It is most important.

God will go with you and prepare the way before you (v. 7). Abraham assured his servant that he was not going out alone. The Lord God, who made Isaac the heir of the covenant would go with Eliezer, reward his labors, and fulfill his covenant. Eliezer’s success was a matter of certainty. Abraham said, “He shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.”

God’s servants do not go forth into the world to do their work alone. It is not up to us to persuade men and women to trust Christ, love Christ, and come to Christ by our own powers of logic, persuasion, and eloquence. The Spirit of God goes before the messengers of God. He prepares our way before us. He quickens whom he will, gives sinners ears to hear the gospel, eyes to see Christ, and a heart to love him. God the Holy Spirit awakens the dead, reveals Christ, gives sinners faith and effectually brings them to Christ by the preaching of the gospel (Ephesians 2:1-10). The work does, not depend upon us!

Abraham assured Eliezer that his labor would not be in vain. Notice those words, “thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.” We do not have to fret about the success of our labors. God will save his elect. Our only responsibility is to faithfully deliver the message God has given us and faithfully give ourselves to the work of seeking God’s elect among the ruins of Adam’s race (1 Corinthians 4:1-2: 2 Corinthians 4:1-7).

(1 Corinthians 4:1-2) “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. (2) Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

(2 Corinthians 4:1-7) “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; (2) But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. (3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (4) In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. (6) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

The bride has already been chosen (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
The bride will hear the voice of her Beloved through the gospel we preach (John 10:23-30).
And the chosen, called bride will come to Christ (John 6:37-40; 2 Corinthians 2:14-16).
The preacher’s responsibility begins and ends with the matter of faithfulness.

NOTE: You can mark this down as a matter of fact: If a man is called and sent of God, God will supply that man’s needs, God will protect and preserve him in his work, God will order his steps, and God will crown his labor with success. And that man who knows that he is sent of God will endure and overcome all things for the salvation of God’s elect (2 Timothy 1:9-10). God’s servant will not allow anything to turn him aside from the pursuit of Christ’s chosen bride. He must find her, wherever she is, and tell her about her beloved Savior.

Once the servant has delivered his message, he is clear of all responsibility. Abraham told Eliezer, “If the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath” (v. 8). We are not responsible for the salvation of sinners. We are only responsible for the proclamation of salvation in Christ.

Illustration: God’s Watchmen

(Ezekiel 3:17-21; 33:7-16)

But Eliezer was strictly forbidden to make any concession or compromise. Whether the woman comes or does not come, whether Isaac has a bride or does not have a bride, Isaac’s honor must be maintained. — “Abraham said unto him, Beware (be absolutely certain) thou that thou bring not my son thither again” (v. 6) Abraham repeated himself forcefully. In verse 8 he said, no matter how things turn out, “bring not my son thither again!” I take that to mean, there is something more important to God than the salvation of sinners, and that is the honor of his name and the glory of his Son. If men will not come up to Christ, we dare not bring Christ down to men. We cannot alter our message, or even trim off its rough edges. We dare not even alter our methods to suit the world. First and foremost in this world, we are the representatives of the Lord of Glory. The honor of his name must always be our paramount concern.

Suppose, for a moment, that Eliezer were to compromise and bring Isaac down to Rebekah.

· That would make Rebekah more important than Isaac.

· That would be a virtual denial of God’s covenant, his promise, and his power.

· Isaac would never have had Rebekah’s heart. If she had not been willing to forsake her family for Isaac, if she is not willing give up everything for him, he would be better off without her.

· And, if Isaac were willing to come down to Rebekah, she would be better off without him.

Note: There is no need (ever, under any circumstances, for any reason) for God’s servants to make concessions or to compromise with the world. God will save his elect. And he will save them by the naked truth of the gospel, preached in the plainest of terms. Compromise will never save. It only ruins the souls of men. I preach to you, so far as I know it and to the best of my ability, the truth of God. I am not ashamed of its I peculiarities, or of its offense. Indeed, that which the world finds most offensive is the very thing in which I glory. I deliberately cut myself off from those who deny the truth of God, lest I be numbered among them. And I deliberately cut myself off from those who even associate with men who pervert the gospel of Christ. Faithfulness to my God, faithfulness to my calling, and faithfulness to your souls demand this kind of clear, decided, identifiable separation. God helping me, I cannot, I will not bring Christ down to men. I proclaim a gospel that brings men up to Christ. It is called the gospel of God’s free, sovereign, saving grace in Christ. You spell it T.U.L.I.P.

Total Depravity
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Preservation of the Saints

I do not court the favor of men; and I do not fear the frowns of men. I labor and preach as I do, because I my eye has in view the bar of God Almighty, and I hope, my heart seeks his glory alone.

A Work Too Great

for Any Man

3^rd — That man who is called and sent of God to preach the gospel knows that the work he is called to perform is too great for him (vv. 13-14). Eliezer came to the place where the women came to draw water and, realizing a great weight of responsibility, knowing that humanly speaking the work was impossible, he sought the help of God by sincere prayer. We see this in Eliezer’s prayer in verses 13-14.

(Genesis 24:13-14) “Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: (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.”

God’s servant ever cries, “Who is sufficient for these things?” And he knows full well that “our sufficiency is of God.” Therefore he earnestly seeks God’s will, God’s direction, and God’s blessing. We preach. But only God can awaken the dead. The opening of the heart to Christ, the resurrection of those who are spiritually dead, the conviction of sin, genuine repentance toward God, and faith in Christ are things “impossible with men” (Matthew 19:24-26; 1 Corinthians 2:9-12).

We preach. But only God the Holy Ghost can reveal Christ in the hearts of men (John 16:13-15).
We preach the truth of the gospel to men. But only the living God can effectually instruct the heart (John 6:44-45). All who come to Christ and receive him must be born again by God’s almighty grace (John 1:10-13; 3:5-8).
True repentance and saving faith are the gifts of God alone (Romans 2:4; 2 Timothy 2:24-25: Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 1:29).

Let no man attempt to deliver a message in God’s name which he has not received from God the Holy Spirit. Let no man plead with men for God, until he has first pleaded with God for men. Having said that, let me show you...

Wait on the Lord

4^th — God’s servant must seek, wait for, and follow God’s direction (vv. 15-28).

(Genesis 24:15-28) “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. (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. (17) And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher. (18) And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. (19) And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. (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. (21) And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not. (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; (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? (24) And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor. (25) She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in. (26) And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD. (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. (28) And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother’s house these things.”

NOTE: God will bring his elect and his messenger together at his appointed time.

Perhaps the most difficult thing in the world for us to do is to simply wait upon God, and to wait upon him without becoming negligent and irresponsible. Eliezer sought the Lord’s direction. But while he was seeking he was yet diligent in his own responsibilities. And he said, “I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren” (v. 27).

When Eliezer saw Rebekah his heart was filled with anxious joy. God had brought them together. And she certainly seemed to be the chosen bride. But he held his peace until God made his will known.

In preaching the gospel to sinners, we must wait for God to do his work in the hearts of men.

We must diligently seek the lost and earnestly preach the gospel to perishing men and women.
But we must not speak peace until God speaks peace.

Eliezer held out to Rebekah the bracelets and earring of gold, tokens of Isaac’s wealth, to entice her heart. But he did not bestow upon her all the riches of Isaac’s house (which he had in his hand v. 10), until Rebekah had committed herself to Isaac.

Not Side Tracked

5^th — Now, this fifth point is so very important, and I can only mention it briefly, but I hope you will hear it well. The servant of God must not get side tracked (vv. 29--51).

(Genesis 24:29-51) “And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well. (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. (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. (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. (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. (34) And he said, I am Abraham’s servant. (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. (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. (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: (38) But thou shalt go unto my father’s house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son. (39) And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me. (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: (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. (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: (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; (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. (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. (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. (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. (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. (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. (50) Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good. (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.”

Eliezer was welcomed into Rebekah’s home. — “And there was meat set before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat until I have told mine errand’ (v. 33).

How many men I have seen, men of ability and promise, whose ministries were ruined, because they got side tracked!

· Some get side tracked by money

· Some get side tracked by politics.

· Some get side tracked with trivial issues.

· Some, being novices, get side tracked, being lifted up with pride.

· Some get side tracked by personal ambition.

· Some get side tracked by the cares of this world.

The servants of God are men on a mission, who care not for the world’s comforts, honors, riches, or cares. — “I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel” (Acts 20:33). — “None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). — Faithful gospel preachers are “men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 15:26). Their singular purpose in life is to make Christ known.

And those that have not been turned aside by the cares and comforts of the world are yet in danger of being side tracked. Satan, with his subtlety, does everything he can to turn them aside from the message they are sent to declare. When Eliezer spoke to Rebekah and her kindred, he spoke of nothing but Isaac, the excellence, riches and glory of Isaac (vv. 34-41). The servants of God, like Eliezer, have but one message. We preach Jesus Christ and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-2).

Eliezer did not court Rebekah’s friendship, or approval. He did not seek to attract her to himself in any way. He was sent to win her heart for Isaac. The bride must be attracted to the bridegroom, not to the bridegroom’s friend. Let us ever be careful here. The bride must not be attracted to the servant in any way, or to anything he has to offer, but only to Christ.

Preach for a Verdict

6^th — The servant of God must always preach for a verdict, pressing upon sinners the claims of Christ, calling for them to make an immediate decision (vv. 52-60).

(Genesis 24:52-60) “And it came to pass, that, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth. (53) And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things. (54) And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master. (55) And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go. (56) And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master. (57) And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth. (58) And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go. (59) And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant, and his men. (60) And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.”

After Eliezer had plainly stated his errand, the question was put directly to Rebekah herself, “Wilt thou go?” And Rebekah answered, “I will go” (v. 59).

Faith in Christ, salvation in Christ, and a true saving interest in Christ is an individual, personal, and total commitment to him as Lord. Children cannot be sprinkled into the covenant of grace. They cannot be educated into the kingdom of God. And young people are not saved because they have been raised by godly parents. Salvation is not a family affair. “Remember Lot’s wife!”

Salvation is a heart knowledge of the living God and of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
And that saving knowledge comes by personal experience, as God is pleased to reveal himself to individuals (Galatians 1:15-16; 2 Timothy 1:12; Psalm 23:1-6).

Now, I put this question to you. I am calling for you to make a decision right now. Will you, or will you not come to Christ? Yes, or know? I want an answer to carry back to my Master.

Always Successful

7^th — The man who is sent of God always accomplishes the work god has sent him to perform. He is always successful (vv. 61-67; 2 Corinthians 2:14-16).

(Genesis 24:61-67) “And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way. (62) And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country. (63) And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. (64) And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. (65) For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself. (66) And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. (67) And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.”

Here comes Eliezer back to Abraham. And Rebekah is with him! Before Abraham, Rebekah covered her face. But when she saw Isaac, she leaped into his arms. It was love at first sight! There is a picture in this too.

Before an absolute, holy, pure, just and sovereign God, we dare not show our faces.
But before Christ, the God-man, the sinner’s Substitute, we are perfectly free.

As soon as you lift up your eyes and look to Christ, you will leap into his arms, like Rebekah leaped into the arms of Isaac. God help you now to see him and come to him. If you could but see the excellence, beauty, glory and saving power of our Savior, you would never cease to love him and trust him.

Application

When Eliezer came home, he told Isaac all that he had done, and presented Rebekah as a chaste virgin to Isaac (Hebrews 13:17).

It all comes to this: Will you trust the Son of God? He demands that you forsake all and follow him. will you, or will you not? It is just that simple, and just that serious. If you trust the Son of God, you have everlasting life. If you will not trust Christ, you must be forever lost. And your blood shall be upon your own head. May God graciously give you faith in his dear Son.

Amen!

Don Fortner

Pastor Fortner’s