In today’s culture, there are many things vying for time, attention, and priority. When I was a boy, I can remember extracurricular activities being mindful of people’s church life and not scheduling events on Sundays – and sometimes even on Wednesday nights. However, today people think they have to participate in activities even if it pulls them away from the house of God regularly. Parents are told, “If you want your children to be successful, you really need to _____.” While parents can’t guarantee their children’s success in this world, they can never go wrong by bringing their children to the house of God and making it a regular focal point of each and every week. (Proverbs 22:6) One of the questions I get asked frequently is just how much better is it being “in” the church and not just “around” the church. In Genesis 24 we read the story of Abraham’s servant going to fetch a wife for Isaac, and that story is a beautiful picture of the minister of the gospel telling the bride of Christ about the husband she already has in another land. In the story, we see that Rebekah receives many blessings, but some of them are contingent upon actions/decisions that she makes.
Jewelry: In verse 22, we read that the servant put jewelry on Rebekah when he was able to identify her by the answer to his prayer about her willingness to serve in drawing water. For God’s children in this world, there are blessings that we receive from our Husband when we serve and minister without thinking about self. Rebekah drew water for the man and all 10 of his camels without thinking of reward or benefit. She did it out of the goodness of a tendered heart, and when God’s children bear fruit of the Spirit showing forth the good nature that God has planted within, God is not unfaithful to remember that labor of love. (Hebrews 6:10) The servant further learns that Rebekah belongs to the house of his master’s brethren, and so it is when we produce good works and spiritual fruit. We have found people that belong to the family of the Master, and He daily loadeth us with benefits.
More Jewelry: In verse 53, we see that the servant gave more jewels and provender to Rebekah and even to her family as well. What has transpired? He has told his errand at this point, and the decision has been made for Rebekah to go to Isaac. Had a refusal been given, the servant would have returned without bestowing any more presents. However, when the decision is to obediently go to our husband, the blessings abound more and more. Rebekah received more presents, and even those she left behind in her father’s house were blessed as well. So it is today. When we obediently go to our Husband, the benefits are greater than just being spiritual in this old world. The gifts from above are poured out in abundance in His house. As Paul told the Philippian jailor, being baptized into the Lord’s church will not only be of benefit to him but his entire house as well. (Acts 16:31) How are children blessed above measure? Being in the house of God with faithful parents brings chief and choice blessings upon all in the house.
Seeing the Husband: Perhaps the greatest of all the blessings of faithful obedience comes when Rebekah leaves with the servant and ends up being in the land with Isaac. Scripturally, the entire triumphant bride of Christ will be with our Husband without the loss of one some sweet day in that land called heaven. (John 6:37-39) However, by going with the servants of God today, we enjoy a land with Him in sweet communion and close fellowship. In the land called Zion, we walk through green pastures and fertile fields while He declares all over again to our souls how much delight He has in being with us, and it is our chief joy to be with Him. When Rebekah sees Isaac, he has already seen her, and when we see our Lord, He has already seen and loved us first. However, her reaction was to immediately dismount her camel and run to him. When we see where Christ is and know that He is near, we should dismount all the cares and struggles of life and run to be with Him where He is.
Friends, there is not much that the servants (preachers) can promise Rebekah (the church), but one thing they should be able to faithfully do is bring her to the place where Jesus is and identify Him as He draws near. When that happens, the servant fades from the scene and it is all about the man and wife being together. One day, preachers will all fade from the scene as we all are drawn to Him where He is. So may it be today that servants are not seen in place of Jesus but rather the affection is singular and solely on Him. No matter what the world promises and no matter how much we think our children and families need it, nothing can displace the importance of being with our Isaac and seeking those times of sweet fellowship where blessings rain down in abundance greater than we can gather. (Malachi 2) As the old songwriter penned, “One day in His courts than a thousand beside is better and lovelier far…”