The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – Part 3

[Study Aired March 27, 2023]

Today, as part of our study of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we shall look at the life of Isaac to help us grow in our knowledge of Christ. As we indicated in the previous study, the birth of Isaac symbolizes the coming of Christ into our lives. Our lives follow the same pattern as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Although the details of our lives are different, our relationship with the Lord follows the same pattern. As we go through the experience of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob with Joseph being part of Jacob’s experience, we come to realize that these three men do not represent three separate individuals, but three aspects of one complete person in his relationship with the Lord.

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

Isaac’s life depicts the rest we have in Christ. His father Abraham had amassed all the wealth for him to enjoy. At the point when he needed to get married, his father Abraham took the initiative to get him a wife (Rebekah) who was very beautiful. Isaac did not fight any battles. For example, on two occasions when his servants dug a well, the inhabitants of the land claimed the wells, but Isaac did not contend with them. What this means is that the coming of Christ in our lives is the beginning of our rest in Him.

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 
Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

In our study today, we shall therefore take a critical look at certain aspects of Isaac’s life and what they teach us about our walk with Christ. 

Knowing God Through Isaac

Our Exit from Babylon – the Coming of Christ in our lives.

The birth of Isaac marks the coming of Christ into our lives which results in our exit from Babylon where the truth of the word of the Lord has been adulterated by false doctrines emanating from human traditions and wisdom. In this new life in Christ, our eyes are opened and our ears begin to hear the truth of the word of the Lord. This is demonstrated by the fact that Isaac dug again the wells his father Abraham dug which had been filled with earth by the Philistines. The Philistines here represent Babylon. The earth here symbolizes all the false doctrines which include human wisdom and traditions. What this means is that the gold and silver of the word of the Lord have been turned into images of men. As a result of the earth filling the well, spring water was not coming out. During our time in Babylon, we experienced significant famine of the word of the Lord which was caused by the Lord to facilitate our exit from Babylon.

Gen 26:15  For all the wells which his father’s servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.
Gen 26:16  And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we. 
Gen 26:17  And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there. 
Gen 26:18  And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them.

Eze 16:17  Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them,

The Offering of Isaac – The Death and Resurrection of Christ 

Gen 22:2  And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. 

Gen 22:6  And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. 
Gen 22:7  And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
Gen 22:8  And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

Heb 11:17  By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Heb 11:18  Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Heb 11:19  Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

From a spiritual perspective, the offering of Isaac by Abraham typifies how God, our Father, offered His beloved son, Jesus Christ, for us. During the journey to Mount Moriah, Isaac carried the wood to be used for the burnt offering of himself. This shows how Jesus carried the cross through Jerusalem for His crucifixion. Incidentally, Mount Moriah later became Jerusalem.  Even though in the case of Isaac, he was not sacrificed, it was as if he had died and came back to life after that experience. So, the whole experience of Abraham preparing to offer Isaac is to foretell of the coming Messiah’s (Jesus) death and resurrection. As Abraham told Isaac his son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering, and that lamb is Christ. In another perspective, we, like Isaac, represent the scapegoat with Jesus being the other goat that was offered as sacrifice for our sins. If we are to fulfill God’s purpose, therefore, we must be like Isaac as we offer our lives as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God which is our reasonable service.

Lev 16:7  And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Lev 16:8  And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. 
Lev 16:9  And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD’S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. 
Lev 16:10  But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness. 

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

Ishmael’s mocking of Isaac – Babylon persecuting the church

Gen 21:8  And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned. 
Gen 21:9  And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. 
Gen 21:10  Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. 

The birth of Isaac did not stir up any trouble. It was rather his growth that brought about controversy. As we can see, Ishmael was found mocking Isaac. In Galatians 4:29, we are given to know that this mocking is the same as persecution. Ishmael represents Babylon, which is in bondage with her children. Babylon is characterized by the persecution of the church of the firstborn (the elect) as our Lord made it clear as follows:

Luk 11:49  Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
Luk 11:50  That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; 
Luk 11:51  From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

Gal 4:28  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Gal 4:29  But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. 
Gal 4:30  Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
Gal 4:31  So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

As Paul indicated, Hagar represents Jerusalem which is in bondage with her children. That is Babylon, which symbolizes the physical churches of this world.  The elect represents Jerusalem, which is above, that is destined to inherit the promise.

Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Isaac, the inheritor of Abraham’s Inheritance – Learning to Rest in the Lord

Gen 25:5  And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. 
Gen 25:6  But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country. 

Isaac becoming the inheritor of Abraham’s possessions is a type of Christ who has been appointed heir of all things, and if we are found in Him, then we are also destined for the inheritance just like Isaac.

Heb 1:1  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 
Heb 1:2  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 
Heb 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 

What we need to understand is that Abraham did all the work to amass the wealth for Isaac. Just as God the Father did all the work for our Lord Jesus Christ, we are also privileged to have Jesus doing all the work as we rest in Him.

Joh 14:10  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 
Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 
Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 

The Famine in the Land

Gen 26:1  And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.
Gen 26:2  And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:

Gen 26:6  And Isaac dwelt in Gerar: 
Gen 26:7  And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon. 
Gen 26:8  And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife. 
Gen 26:9  And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her.

As we can see, the Lord had to warn Isaac from going back to Egypt. Whenever we are starved of the word of the Lord (famine), there is the tendency to become worldly (Going to Egypt). It is during times of famine of the word of the Lord that our weaknesses are exposed by the Lord.

In the case of Isaac, his inability to believe that the Lord will surely protect him from any harm or danger became obvious as he lied about Rebekah being his wife. As we know from the word of the Lord, the church is where we are fed with the word of the Lord. Anytime we are starved of the word of the Lord, our relationship with the church suffers as the deep union with the church (wife relationship) is sacrificed for a superficial relationship (sister relationship) as we see Isaac saying that Rebekah was his sister instead of being his wife.

These periods of famine are common during the early part of our walk after we have left Babylon to become part of the heavenly Jerusalem. We were not prepared to lay down our lives for the wife of Christ, the church just as Isaac refused to lay down his life for Rebekah when he went to Gerar. However, as we mature spiritually, we are able to lay down our lives for the church irrespective of the circumstance we find ourselves in even as our Lord Jesus Christ laid down His life for the church. 

1Jn 3:16  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 

Isaac Prospered – We are to grow in spiritual insight.

Gen 26:12  Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. 
Gen 26:13  And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: 
Gen 26:14  For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.

The physical prosperity of Isaac refers to our growth in spiritual riches as our eyes are opened and our ears hear the mysteries of the kingdom of God. As Christ comes to us, we begin our spiritual growth (riches in Christ) as our Lord cleanses us of all that offends and enlightens our understanding to know Him better. This is what Paul and Peter had to say about our spiritual blessing:

Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 
Eph 1:4  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:

2Pe 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

As we grow in spiritual riches, we are envied by all men, just as the Philistines became envious of Isaac’s prosperity. This envy is what drives our being hated by Jerusalem which is in bondage with her children, resulting in us being dead in the streets of the great city – which represents spiritually, Sodom and Egypt where our Lord Jesus was crucified.

Rev 11:8  And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 

Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

This strife or hatred is exemplified on two occasions when Isaac’s servants dug a well, and there was contention. This means that it is as we search the scriptures and we become enlightened by the truth of the word that we are hated by the world.

Gen 26:19  And Isaac’s servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water. 
Gen 26:20  And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac’s herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him. 
Gen 26:21  And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah.

Isaac’s Marriage – Our Marriage to Christ

The scriptures did not go into as many details about the life of Isaac as it did with Abraham and Jacob. However, when it came to Isaac’s marriage, a whole chapter was devoted to it. This is because the marriage of Isaac is significant, and it represents the church’s marriage union with Christ. From this marriage chapter we can glean a lot of spiritual truth and what is required of God’s bride.

Gen 24:3  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: 
Gen 24:4  But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.

Gen 24:8  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.

Gen 24:15  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. 
Gen 24:16  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. 
Gen 24:17  And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher. 
Gen 24:18  And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. 
Gen 24:19  And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
Gen 24:20  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.

There are several truths we can glean from this marriage chapter of Genesis. The country Abraham had left spiritually signifies Babylon where we worship another Jesus. It is from Babylon that Christ came to pick us as his bride. It also means that we cannot marry just any person. We must marry from our kindred – our fellow elect. When Abraham’s servant asked if the potential bride to Isaac refuses to come to Canaan, Abraham told him that in that case, the marriage must be called off. If we want to become the bride of Christ, then we must be prepared to leave Babylon.

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Abraham’s servant went with ten camels. In the Bible camels are used to represent one’s wealth or possession. What this means is that God has made available enough resources for His bride to be joined to her husband Christ. As stated by Peter, God has given us everything we need for life and godliness through His great and precious promises that we might be partakers of His divine nature. 

Gen 24:10  And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. 

Gen 12:16  And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.

Gen 24:35  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.

2Pe 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 

In order to identify the bride, Abraham’s servant set a criterion. The requirement is that the potential bride must give him water to drink and also quench the thirst of the ten camels. As we are aware, water signifies the word of God. Thus, we must be able to feed God’s people with the word of God first. In addition, Rebecca voluntarily offered to fetch water for the camels. The similarity between camels and human beings is that they are all beasts.  Thus, Rebecca giving water first to Abraham’s servant and later fetching water for the camels signifies that the preaching of the word of God is first to the elect, and then later, through the bride, the word of God will be preached to all humanity. 

Gen 24:11  And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water. 
Gen 24:12  And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. 
Gen 24:13  Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: 
Gen 24:14  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. 

Ecc 3:18  I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

Camels drink a lot of water – about 20 gallons of water a day. Thus, giving water to the ten camels means fetching about 200 gallons of water.  That is a huge task to undertake.  It takes someone who has compassion or is merciful to the camels to execute such a task voluntarily. What we are being taught here is that the salvation of the world is impossible looking at it from a human perspective. However, with God all things are possible. Secondly, it takes someone who cares for the beast, just like Rebecca to have compassion or to show mercy to the camels. We, who have received mercy from God are therefore required to be merciful to the whole of humanity in the fullness of time. Thirdly, our service in the house of God as we feed our brothers and sisters with the word of the Lord must be voluntary and without charging for our services. As we can see, Rebecca fed the camels voluntarily and without cost. 

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 

Mat 10:8  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 

One key characteristic which we need to pay attention to regarding Rebekah, who represents the elect, is the fact that, although she had never seen Isaac, she was willing to go to him to become his wife. Our husband, the Lord Jesus, is so pleased when we believe in Him even though we have not seen Him. This is what He told Thomas who was looking for something tangible:

Joh 20:28  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 
Joh 20:29  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 

That is why as we mature spiritually, signs and wonders become a rare experience. This does not mean that the Lord will not miraculously intervene in our circumstance when the need arises. He will always come to our aid but what we are to avoid is looking for the spectacular to convince us that the Lord is with us. As we can see, as the church matured, signs and wonders became a rare occurrence. We are therefore warned by the Lord about deception which will abound as a result of signs and wonders as we are getting closer to the end of this age.

2Th 2:9  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 
2Th 2:10  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Another key characteristic of Rebekah who symbolizes the bride of Christ was her submission when she saw Isaac and realized who he was. Immediately when Rebekah saw Isaac, she put on her vail and covered herself. 

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

The putting on of the vail symbolizes Rebekah’s submission to Isaac, just as the bride of Christ (Rebekah) must submit to her husband, Christ (Isaac). 

1Co 11:3  But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 
1Co 11:4  Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 
1Co 11:5  but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.

Our submission must therefore be complete – we must submit to our Lord Jesus Christ in everything. 

Eph 5:24  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

Through the life of Isaac, we get to know about the marriage feast of the lamb. 

Gen 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. 
Gen 24:64  And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. 
Gen 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.
Gen 24:66  And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. 
Gen 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.

We can see how both Isaac and Rebekah were eager to meet each other. Our Lord Jesus Christ is so eager to be united with His bride, the church. It is when we meet face to face that perfection shall come!!

Rev 19:6  And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 
Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 
Rev 19:9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 

1Co 13:9  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 
1Co 13:10  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 
1Co 13:11  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 
1Co 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 

Ooh, what a great joy that will be when we see our Lord face to face!! Amen!!

(Key verses: Gen 24:11-28)

In Genesis chapter 24 we see the longest chapter in the book of Genesis, which will be divided into four segments for the purpose of our discussions:

• Verses 1 to 10: Abraham gives specific instructions to his servant about a wife for Isaac;
• Verses 11 to 28: the servant of Abraham went to find this wife and meet Rebekah;
• Verses 29 to 61: the servant of Abraham meets the family of Rebekah;
• Verses 62 to 68: Isaac meets Rebekah and takes her as his wife.

In our last discussion we covered verses 1 to 10 of this chapter when Abraham, at a mature age, gave specific instructions to the elder servant in his household in connection with the special task of acquiring a wife for Isaac. This servant is not named in this chapter, but some suppose it to be Eliezer of Damascus, which was mentioned in Genesis 15 as a very trustworthy servant for Abraham (Gen 15:1-2). Abraham, as a loving father to Isaac, typifies our heavenly Father who sends His servants throughout the history of the church to bring the bride to Christ, as Christ is also typified by Isaac (Mat 22:1-3; Rev 19:7; Rev 20:4-6; Rom 9:7; Gal 3:29). All of this displays the faith of Abraham which he also instills in this servant to fulfill the task at hand. It is the faith of Christ in us which the Father sends in our hearts through His Word to draw us to Christ and His bride, His true church (Rom 10:17; Gal 2:16; Rom 4:16-22; Gal 2:16; Gal 3:6-9; Php 3:9; Heb 11:8-10):

Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

In this discussion of the foundational theme of faith, we will be focusing on this faithful servant of Abraham who left for the city where Nahor, Abraham’s brother, lived to find this wife for Isaac:

Gen 24:10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.

All of what the flesh can contain or handle, and by which it is limited by God, is spiritually represented in the number ten in the scriptures (Gen 45:23; Exo 9:14; Exo 26:1; Exo 34:28; Luk 19:13). This burden of flesh, which is our vessel of dishonour, must carry us during our earthly eon which is also emphasised by the camels (Rom 9:21; 1Co 15:44). This unclean beast of flesh and carnality is also represented in the symbol of the ten camels which were created to endure long journeys through very harsh environments. Camels are classified as unclean animals in the scripture as they do chew the cud, but they “divideth not the hoof”:

Lev 11:4 Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

This indeed indicates our time when we can chew the cud, which is to meditate on God’s word, but are not able to rightly divide the truth. This chewing of the cud can also include our natural inclination to be striving about words and concepts, and getting involved in fruitless discussions with no works to prove in our lives:

2Ti 2:14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2Ti 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

The camel is also the symbol of the carrier of physical riches in various forms which so easily impresses and captures the attention of the flesh (Gen 30:43; Gen 32:9-16; 1 Ki 10:2; 2Ch 9:1; 2Ki 8:9; Mat 19:24; Mat 23:24):

1Ki 10:1 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.
1Ki 10:2 And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.

Abraham was also rich in earthly goods and animals, including camels (Gen 12:16). With this servant of Abraham, these camels were moving in the right direction – toward the bride of Isaac to be released of their earthly burdens. This brings to mind how Jesus describes the positive application of camels and how what seems to be impossible with mankind is indeed possible with God:

Luk 18:24 And when Jesus saw that he [the rich young ruler] was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Luk 18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Luk 18:26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
Luk 18:27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

It is when we understand the ministry of the camel in our lives that we make it to bow down to serve God with whatever He blesses us for the benefit of His kingdom. The servant makes these camels to kneel down by a well of water as we all must bow to the waters of the Word where our spiritual thirst can be satisfied, especially when we do not yet have clarity in our spiritual evenings or dark times:

Gen 24:11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.

Throughout the scriptures we find references to women who go out to draw water from wells, confirming that the church, typified by these women, is always in need of the cleansing and satisfying waters of the Word of God (Exo 2:16; 1Sa 9:11; Joh 4:7-15):

Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.

The first step in performing any task is vital in our walk of faith. If we miss the first step, the rest will be built on a false foundation and will not endure the trials and tribulations until the end. This mature servant in Abraham’s household learned from his master that prayer is the essential first step in every task, no matter how big or how small:

Gen 24:12 And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
Gen 24:13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
Gen 24:14 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.

It is important to note that this servant did not approach God in his own name, but in the name of his master. This again reveals why this servant’s name is not mentioned in this passage, for our learning. If our Master is Christ, then we come in His name to the Father and to the world, and this has nothing to do with the vocalization of a pronoun, but more to do with knowing and doing His will (Joh 14:13; Mat 10:22; Mat 19:29; Mar 16:17; Joh 14:14; Act 9:1-5).

Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Joh 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

This servant of faithful Abraham knew to ask God for directions which would strip him from his natural ideas and solutions. Prayer brings the mind of Christ into operation in us and disempowers the beast of his fabled free will and earthly convictions. The prayer of this servant was also specific in asking for clear understanding and vision in performing this task for his master. This is the prayer which is inspired by faith which is also called “the prayer of faith” in the scriptures. The prayer of faith will always bring the right answer when we use the Name of our Master, which is to know that God’s will is supreme and will always be done in heaven and also on earth, if we can receive this:

Joh 14:13 And whatever you may ask in My name, that I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Joh 14:14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

This prayer enables us to admit that our own delusions in our natural mind are what spiritual sickness is all about:

Jas 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
Jas 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

As faith comes through the word of God, so does the prayer of faith operate through the application of the oil and the water, which are both symbols of the spiritual words of God (Rom 10:17). Through the anointing of the spiritual words of Christ, we are being saved spiritually and raised to a higher heaven of understanding by the Lord who enables us to be “dead to sin” (Eph 2:6; Rom 6:1-7). Only those who know they are sick call the Elder Physician and submit to His prescriptions:

Luk 5:29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
Luk 5:30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
Luk 5:31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
Luk 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

This servant’s prayer symbolizes the call of those who know they are in need of direction because they admit and confess daily that God alone directs all our paths and every footstep of every creature all the time:

Jer 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

Pro 20:24 Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?

All things are from God, and this prayer of the servant of Abraham was inspired by God and answered according to His will:

Gen 24:15 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.
Gen 24:16 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.

Before this servant finished his prayer the answer was already there. God supplied the answers to our problems before the foundation of this world – in Christ:

Joh 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

Eph 1:4 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:

1Pe 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.

The salvation of the fleshly Adam was in place long before Adam was created. God planned the life of Adam, and all in him, to every minute detail and worked the process according to His one perfect plan from the start. God ordained and purposed it that Adam must come through a body of sin and death to learn vital lessons through failure, trials and tribulations before the spirit life can be given to him and to all in him (1Co 15:21-28; Joh 1:1-4; Col 1:15-19; Rev 1:8; Rev 1:11; Rev 1:17):

Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

When the servant of Abraham saw this young and beautiful woman, he could not wait but ran to meet her. No one can resist the true bride of Christ when she appears in her splendour and spiritual beauty:

Gen 24:17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.

She was also in a hurry to give to this unknown man what he asked her, even as the church of Christ will serve whoever comes in humility and need. God indeed prepares hearts to do exactly what He wants them to do with all diligence:

Gen 24:18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.

And then she did exactly what the servant of Abraham mentioned in his prayer to God which confirms that God caused the same words of the prayer of the servant and the response in the heart of Rebekah. This was not done according to a fabled “free” will in Rebekah or in the servant of Abraham, but it was all the works of the same God who indeed works all things to be performed 100% after the counsel of His will alone (Eph 1:11):

Gen 24:19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
Gen 24:20 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.

This woman was not only prepared to give water to this chosen servant, but she also gave water to all ten camels. Although the spiritual application of the water of God’s Word is now only revealed to His chosen elect in this age, it will however also be given for all in the generation of the first Adam. This is the test of the true church of God – as Jesus is the saviour of all in Adam, so is the ultimate aim of His body to serve all of humanity as the saviours of the world – not only initially in the thousand-year reign of the kingdom of God on this earth, but finally through the salvation of all which will come in the lake of fire (Rev 20):

Isa 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Oba 1:21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.

This speaks of how true love operates as it does not keep book of its works or seek its own glory or remembers what has been done against it (Psa 103:12; 1Co 13:4-7). Godly love washes the feet of all in unconditional service even those who will betray and deny that love (Joh 13:3-9). Rebekah brought water for all ten camels of this servant of Abraham, and that was no mean task. True service indeed brings great excitement and joy to the heart of those who do not want to rule over others because they serve in meekness and humility knowing all is in God’s hands:

2Co 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

1Pe 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Unselfish servitude always brings amazement to the receiver:

Gen 24:21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.

The true church of God serves even its enemies free of charge as that also heaps coals of fire on the heads of those who belittle and despise the elect of God – even as they are careful not to throw God’s pearls before swine (Mat 10:7-8; Mat 7:6):

Rom 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

The reward will come at the end of our task after we have endured faithfully until the end (Mat 5:10-12; Rev 22:12):

Gen 24:22 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.

The golden earring this servant gave Rebekah symbolizes the ability God gives us to hear His voice through His Word which is the true “apples of gold” in the redemptive work of His silver. His purified gold, silver and precious stones are being used in building ourselves up in the most holy faith (1Co 3:10-14; Jud 1:20):

Pro 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
Pro 25:12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

Job was also given golden earrings after God spoke to him and he could eventually hear and understand the works of God in his life:

Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Job 42:11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.

The two golden bracelets for Rebekah’s two hands show how our faith is witnessed by our actions and service to God and His people. To be a witness is the spiritual meaning of the number two as we bare the testimony of Jesus Christ through our deeds (Rev 19:10). That is the true spirit of prophecy which speaks the loudest because without works our faith is dead:

Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

This is what this elder servant of Abraham also saw in his master’s life and now in the way Rebekah’s hands were diligent in supplying for him and his camels. There was still one more important aspect to be confirmed by Rebekah:

Gen 24:23 And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father’s house for us to lodge in?
Gen 24:24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
Gen 24:25 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.

When God answers our prayers, we will acknowledge Him and only Him through worship:

Gen 24:26 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.
Gen 24:27 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.

Again the excitement in Rebekah’s heart is visible in her actions even as she did not know at this point in time what the purpose of this unknown man was:

Gen 24:28 And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother’s house these things.

Next week, God willing, we will find out more about the servant of Abraham when he meets the family of Rebekah.

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Detailed studies and emails relating to these foundational themes in Scripture are available on the iswasandwillbe.com website, including these topics and links:

Numbers in Scripture
Come Out of Her My People
Coming Out of Babylon
Be Not Weary in Well Doing
Metals, Gold – Positive Part 1