GENESIS LESSON 35


     We will begin this lesson with Genesis 24:52" And it came to
pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped
the LORD, [bowing himself] to the earth."

     In the last lesson, we read that the servant had found a 
wife for Isaac. The family consented to the marriage. and then the 
servant bowed down and thanked God.

     Genesis 24:53 "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."

     It was the custom in those days for the father of the groom to
give things of value to the family of the bride, but this was much
more than the ordinary, mainly because of the great wealth of Abraham.
The gifts to Rebekah, partly, was to make her appearance befitting
someone of such statue in their area. Isaac's bride should be properly
attired.

     Genesis 24:54 "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."

     His mission was accomplished and after celebrating the victory,
the servant was anxious to go back and show his master the beautiful
maiden for Isaac. You can imagine the shock to Rebekah. The question
was, was she ready to go?

     Genesis 24:55 "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."

     This request seemed to be not too much to ask, in the face of the
fact that Rebekah just heard of these people the day before. I am sure
her mother wanted to help her prepare, and they would miss her, so they
wanted to savor just a few more days with her.

     Genesis 24:56 "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."

     We can see his side, as well. He was anxious to share the good news
with his master.

     Genesis 24:57 "And they said, We will call the damsel, and
inquire at her mouth."

     As was the custom in those days, her parents had decided for her
who she would marry. Finally, she was included, then.

     Genesis 24:58 "And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt
thou go with this man? And she said, I will go."

     This seemed so unusual to send your daughter with an unknown man
into a strange country, but they all believed that this was by God's
request.

     Genesis 24:59 "And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her
nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men."

     This was the first indication that Rebekah had been from a well-
to-do family, as well. They sent her nurse.

     Genesis 24:60 "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."

     The more children you had, if you were a Hebrew, the more blessed
you were. This blessing, unknowingly of them, spoke of the 1000's of
millions (Christians) who truly are descendents through Abraham.

     Genesis 24:61  "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."

     Rebekah took some of her servant girls with her. This was the
custom in those days. The ten camels came in handy, so the girls did
not have to walk. Separation from family is always difficult, but
going into a strange country away from family would have been extremely
difficult.

     Genesis 24:62 "And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahai-roi;
for he dwelt in the south country."

     The meaning of the name of this well was the well of him that
liveth and seeth me, or the well for the vision of life. Undoubtedly
Isaac had prayed there, from the meaning of the well's name.

     Genesis 24:63 "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."

     Genesis 24:64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw
Isaac, she lighted off the camel.

     Genesis 24:65 "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."

     Rebekah did not want her first meeting with Isaac to be while she
was on the back of a camel. She really knew in her heart who this man
was, but she just wanted confirmation. It was the custom in that
country, for the lady to be covered with a vail, until after the
wedding. In many Arab countries today, women wear vails in public,
even if they are married. Their dresses cover even their ankles. This
is modesty carried to the extreme. In most countries of the world,
women do not wear slacks. It is just popular in the United States.

     Genesis 24:66 "And the servant told Isaac all things that he had
done."

     Just as the servant told Rebekah's brother how he had prayed, and
how Rebekah came to the well and gave drink to him and his camels, he,
also, related the story in detail to Isaac. He wanted Isaac to realize
that God had chosen his bride for him. After all these details, there
should be no doubt.

     Genesis 24:67 "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]."

     It seemed as though Isaac and Rebekah moved into his mother's
tent from the statement above. Sarah was already dead when Isaac and
Rebekah married. The Scripture did not say how long it has been since
Sarah had died, but it does say that Isaac was comforted by Rebekah.
Being her only child, you know that Sarah had given Isaac her
undivided attention. Their bond had to be great. Even Abraham had
loved Isaac so much that he had left all of his wealth to him, as we
read in our last lesson.

     Even though Rebekah was chosen without Isaac's approval, he had a
great love for her.

     In the next lesson, we will read on about Abraham and his other
wives in chapter 25 of Genesis.


                                 Notes
























                             Questions 35


1.  When Abraham's servant heard the answer from Rebekah's family.
    What did he do?
2.  What was the servant thankful for?
3.  What three things did the servant give Rebekah?
4.  What did he give her mother and brother?
5.  What was the custom in those days?
6.  Why were these gifts greater than usual?
7.  Besides making her happy, what was the raiment for?
8.  When did they eat and drink?
9.  What did the servant say the next morning?
10. What did the mother and brother ask the servant to do?
11. Why did he say not to hinder him?
12. Who made the final decision?
13. What was her answer?
14. Why were they all willing for Rebekah to go with this stranger
    from a strange land?
15. Who went with Rebekah?
16. What blessing did they speak over Rebekah?
17. Where do Christians fit into this?
18. What were the camels used for on the way home?
19. What well was Isaac by?
20. What does it mean?
21. What did Isaac see?
22. When Rebekah saw Isaac. what did she do? two things.
23. What did the servant tell Isaac?
24. Where did Isaac take Rebekah?
25. Who comforted Isaac after his mother's death?

                                 Notes
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