|
THE CHURCH ON HIGHER GROUND |
|
|
HOMEPAGE |
|
|
|
THE PLAN |
|
|
|
HOMEPAGE & MENU FOR OTHER LESSONS |
|
|
|
STUDY OUTLINE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
|
|
|
| ||
PAGE 17 (24)
LESSON #1 A Worthy Woman...Ge.24:16-20
LESSON #2 Productive Prayer...Ge.24:21-27
LESSON #3 Wise/Compassionate/Responsible...Ge.24:28-33
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
LESSON #1 A Worthy Woman...Ge.24:16-20
Wed Aug 29, 2001
When servant arrived at the watering well he saw this beautiful young woman fetching water. The well was not a small hole into which a bucket or jar was lowered, but rather an area large enough for a person to step down into and then draw the water out (16). It was an arduous task. After the young woman came up from the well, servant approached her and asked for a drink of water (17). The young woman was not forward so as to initiate the encounter nor was she so aloof as to ignore this strangers plea for refreshment. She was wise enough to be courteous and yet maintain a proper dignity and caution in meeting this stranger.
We should not see modesty and dignity as traits from long-ago and far-away. Though there is not much of it in evidence in our western society today, it is still in style with God and His people. There is an old saying, "Familiarity breeds contempt." We live in a day when there is nothing considered sacred or personal. People feel free to address any and all subjects without any decorum or dignity in any setting which they find themselves. I believe we are seeing the reality of "familiarity breeding contempt." Young men and women, alike, should maintain standards of godly propriety. Propriety should be set by God's standards and not based on the fleeting mores of a godless society. To neglect or reject God's standards leads to a world like we find in the days of Noah, or as we find rising quickly in our own time.
Another commendable trait in this young woman was her commitment to duty. It was her responsibility to fetch the water for the family use. It was not a "fun" or glamorous activity, but it needed to be done for the well being and operation of the family. Rebekah was not only doing her job, she was eager to serve someone else in need. There must have been many young women who would have ignored this strangers plea for water. After all, it was hard work and time consuming. This character trait of being industrious is another disappearing commodity. People are always looking for the easy and fast way out of responsibility.
Rebekah on the other hand was not only hard working and conscientious, she was compassionate. She realized the need of this weary traveler and was eager to accomodate him. She quickly drew water for him to drink (18) and then offered to draw water for his string of camels (19-20). How rare it is to find people who will go out of their way to minister to others today. This young girl did not find it offensive to be a servant to this stranger. Most people want to be served rather than to serve. Rebekah showed Christ-like qualities, as we read concerning Him, "He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister." Rebekah was not serving the stranger from selfish ambition, but from a heart of compassion. Today there seems to always be a price tag or an ulterior motive when one person serves another. The Christian should be seeking to help others even if it is at a personal cost.
Rebekah was chosen to be Isaac's wife because she was a woman of worth and values. She serves as an example to young women today. We only reach our potential when we narrow ourselves to God's plan for our lives. Whether or not marriage is part of God's plan for a young woman, an attitude of servanthood and ministry is always appropriate.
(Though the principle of servanthood is true for young men as well, the passage at hand is dealing with a young woman.)
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
LESSON #2 Productive Prayer...Ge.24:21-27
Fri Sep 28, 2001
Servant had prayed for specific traits to be demonstrated in the woman of God's choosing. Her kindness, and industriousness were evidenced by Rebekah offering the water to both servant and his camels. It would appear that he had his prayer quickly answered. However, he did not jump to a hasty conclusion about this being God's choice (21). He waited for her to finish watering the camels and then gave her some gifts of golden ornaments (22). He then asked who her family was and if there was a possibility of lodging with them (23).
At this point we see the wisdom and kindness of God to servant. Rebekah was of the same family background as Abraham (24). In those days is was not unusual or dangerous for people to marry others who were as closly related as we see in this situation. Remember, it was essential in the very beginning of time for men to marry women who were more closly related than it is today. Genetic problems which we associate with "inbreeding" or marrying to close within a family, was not as pronounced in earlier times. It is reasonable to think that the genetic breakdown grew more pronounced in the human family as we moved further from our pristine creation. By the time of Moses, God would give laws which guided men away from incest and marraige to those close in natural relationships.
In this case, the young girl was the niece of Abrhaham by his brother, Nahor. Servant knew that Abraham was wanting a wife for Isaac to come from the same background as his own. This should provide compatibility in the marraige, not only in cultural, but more importantly in spritual matters. Abraham did not want his son to intermarry with the pagan girls of the region to which they had moved.
Rebekah offered lodging and food to servant (25). She was as hospitable as she was kind. Her family was not only of the right background, it was of the right attitude toward weary travelers. Servant then worhipped God (26) and gave Him thanks for His mercy in leading him to the right girl and family (27).
It would be to our advantage to prayerfully and carefully choose our lifes partners. We would find fulfillment, joy, love and productivity if we were to find the person of God's choosing. We may make a choice which we find out we can not live with. God never makes a mistake. He knows us and our needs and He does all things well.
It is important to call on God to supply our needs in life, as did servant. It is important to act in faith believing that He will answer our prayers. It is important to recognize when God answers our prayers. It is important to double check to make sure we are understanding God's leading. We should exercise faith, but we should not be gullible or easily misled. And once we have received the answer to our prayers, we should give God the honor, glory, worship and thanks for His mercy, kindness and fatihfulness.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
LESSON #3 Wise/Compassionate/Responsible...Ge.24:28-33
Thu Oct 18, 2001
Leaving servant at the well, Rebekah ran home and told the family about here encounter (28). Her brother Laban then ran out to meet servant at the well (29). Apparently he had seen the gifts which Rebekah had received from servant and had heard about their conversation and was motivated to go quickly to meet servant (30). Of course we cannot make sudden or unbased opinions about people, but it seems that there was more than just hospitality involved in Labans eagerness. In the vernacular of today we might say, "He was seeing $$$ signs." Laban greets servant with great enthusiasm and compassion (as would be typical for people of that time and location), however, there seems to be ulterior motives at work here.
Laban had made provisions for servant and his animals (31). Laban welcomed servant, and his entourage, with the customary "foot washing" of the day (32). This was a tremendous comfort to those who had been traveling. He also saw to the care of the camels (32).
Servant was not only concerned with himself and his own mission, he was a wise and compassionate man who cared for his beasts of burden and those who traveled with him. The wisdom was that of taking care of his responsibilities, such as his beasts of burden. If he just used them and abused them, they would not be there for him when he needed them. The compassion was that of putting other's needs ahead of his own. He did not treat his animals or his men with ingratitude. Godly people are wise and compassionate. Another term for this is being a good steward. God expects us to be wise with the blessings we have received and to treat others properly, even our animals. God does not allow inhumane treatment of animals. Mistreatment of animals is an indication of other problems of insensitivity. We are not to worship and serve animals, but neither are we to be cruel to them. Nor are we to use other people for our own purposes and then disregard their needs and feelings. Though others may serve us, we are to see ourselves responsible and caring for them. In reality, we are to be servants to all, just as Jesus "came not to be served, but to serve", so we ought to see ourselves in the same way. It is not so much how a person treats an "equal" but how they treat a "subordinate", which reveals the truth about them. Compassion and courtesy are always appropriate in our relationships with others, regardless of their station in life.
After having discharged his responsibilites and graciously accepted his host's welcome, servant refrained from eating the prepared meal until he had explained his errand (33). Here again we see a man of responsibility. He would not put his own pleasures or needs ahead of his master's work.
These are some of the reasons Abraham could trust servant with such an important assignment. He was wise, compassionate and responsible. God wants these traits to be evident in us as His servants. We are not given important assignments unless God sees within us the traits necessary to accomplish our task.
We may say, "But I don't have these traits." No, you may not at the present, but you can have them. God will give them to you. It may take a while to develope them, but God will give them to you if you are willing to make the changes needed.
Remember, servant can be seen as a "Type" of the Holy Spirit. The Father, has sent Him to find a "Bride" for His Son. It is the Holy Spirit Who brings us to Jesus. The Holy Spirit is wise, compassionate and responsible, these are divine traits. He will communicate or deliver them to us if we will ask and believe Him for them. But we must be faithful in our following His leadings and obeying His commands.
| Site Tools |
|
|
|
|
|
Verse of the Day |
|
|
