THE CHIEF END OF MAN

The 24th chapter of Genesis is lengthy - 67 verses. Essentially, the story of Abraham sending his servant to get a wife for Isaac is told twice in these verses.

The main points of this chapter include:

1. Abraham does NOT want Isaac to be married to a Canaanite woman. He sends his chief servant and ten camels on an arduous journey of five-hundred miles so that he can at least try to find a woman from the region Abraham had left about 65 years prior!

2. The servant seems to share his master's faith. He prays for God's direction and blessing on his journey frequently throughout the story and gives God praise repeatedly when things miraculously come together!

3. The providence of God is clearly at work as this servant arrives in the town of Nahor and is greeted at the well by the granddaughter of Abraham's brother, Nahor.

4. The chief servant uses a 'fleece' to determine if this is the one God has chosen: if she agrees to water his camels - she's the one. She does! He gives her a nose ring and bracelets of gold!

5. Her outstanding qualities are:

a. Beauty

b. Generosity - she offers him water; she waters his camels; she offers him lodging.

c. Diligence - the camels had just travelled 500 miles, and one thirsty camel can guzzle up to thirty gallons of water in just ten minutes!

6. Upon arriving at her home, the chief servant refuses to eat until he has explained his mission. Then, he wants an immediate response from her father and brother. Remarkably, they agree, "This is from the LORD."

7. The chief servant immediately bows before the LORD to give thanks! Then he breaks out more gifts (gold, silver and clothing) for her brother and family [the dowry].

8. The family is a bit rattled when he insists on leaving the next morning on the return trip! They want ten days to say their good-byes. However, they leave the decision to Rebekah. She quickly responds: "I will go."

9. Her family sends her on the journey - knowing they will probably never see her again - with her nurse-maid and their blessing!

10. Upon arriving back in Canaan, she spots Isaac from a distance. The servant confirms that it is her future husband. She covered her face with a veil. They were quickly married and she joined her new husband in his (recently deceased) mother's tent.

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Keep in mind, Abraham was the first Jew. Isaac was the promised child of a barren, aged woman. God is carving out a new nation that will serve His sovereign purposes. God is crafting this story with great care! God is concerned about details.

This story is not about how marriage is supposed to happen 4,000 years later! It illustrates obedience, submission to God's Will, and absolute trust in God! Those values are still relevant today! They always will be!

Loving God,

We live in an age of rush-rush, hurry-skurry, get-there-quick, get-it-done, move on, take on the next task! At the end of the day, we're exhausted! We've spent it all. We cheat ourselves of sleep, rest, relaxation, meditation and contemplation! We make a little time for You on Sundays - if we can. Yet, we want and expect Your blessing on our lives...

Something is wrong with this picture. We've lost the concept of loving and enjoying You. The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks: "What is the chief end of man?" The answer is then given: "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever."

Loving God, slow us down! Teach us to love You! Help us to glorify You with greater urgency! Give us a pace that allows us to get the necessities done, but also keeps our priorities in order! This will not be an easy task for You, Lord. We're addicted to speed and accomplishment (and TV). You'll likely have to use uncomfortable measures to teach us. But, what could be more important?

For Your glory! Amen.