The writer of Hebrews (13:5) quotes from Deuteronomy 31:8 and Joshua 1:5: “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”

See the power of this promise illustrated in the longest chapter in the book of Genesis… It records a very significant event in the life of Abraham and in the fulfillment of God’s plan. Abraham needs a family. He has Isaac, but one child does not guarantee progeny.

SCENE ONE – 24:1-9:

God had promised Abraham that He would bless him (12:1-3). That blessing has now turned into reality: “Jehovah blessed Abraham in all things.” Isaac did not have a wife and he was mourning the loss of his mother (24:67), apparently now for three years.

SCENE TWO – 24:10-27:

Abraham’s faithful servant bowed down and worshiped Jehovah God for answering his prayer. To say that he blessed Jehovah God means that he praised God for His blessing on the servant. The servant felt that the loving loyalty and faithfulness God had shown to Abraham was now being shown to the servant.

SCENE THREE – 24:28-49:

Israel needed to be assured that if / when God promises to send His angel / messenger before them, He means to do just that (cf. Exo. 33:1-3). Christians are also reminded that God has angels as His servants on behalf of Christians (Heb. 1:14), but even more than that, Christians are reminded that God will never leave them nor forsake them (Heb. 13:5-6).

SCENE FOUR – 24:50-60:

Rebekah will prove to be a strong woman, as we see her again in chapters 25 and 27. After chapter 27, Rebekah will not play a significant role; later references to her will only be references (28:5; 29:12; 35:8; 49:31).

SCENE FIVE – 24:61-67:

Isaac had gone out, perhaps to meditate in the field. When they came close enough to speak, the servant related to Isaac what had happened. Knowing that God had worked all things together for Isaac’s good, Isaac took Rebekah into the tent of Sarah, indicating that Rebekah was the new mistress of the family. Isaac took Rebekah as his wife and her love comforted Isaac after mourning for his mom for three years.

CONCLUSION:

The promised seed continues.

Throughout this whole event, God has not acted. There is no miraculous event in all of this; but the astute reader will recognize God working “behind the scenes” in His providential way. While the angel of Jehovah has also been mentioned by Abraham and the servant, there is no record of the angel actually doing anything. God can work just as effectively in the normal, everyday affairs of life as He can through miracles. From Christians, it just takes trust in Him to work out what is best for His servants (Rom. 8:28) and prayer for His will to be done (James 4:15). This account ought to encourage Christians to pray in faith (Luke 18:1; 1 Thess. 5:17).

Trust God’s powerful presence in your life.

Paul Holland