Things Written Aforetime For Our Learning - Gleanings From Genesis

by N.W.D.Miller | Category: For Young Believers | Dec 1936

Rebekah must have looked beautiful, adorned, in the raiment, and the jewels, of Eliezer's bringing. The story of Isaac had completely won her heart. She had heard of his glory and his wealth; the place too, he had in his father's heart and affections; and that he waited to receive her. And

that sweet story had the effect of detaching her mind and heart from all around-from home; from friends; from Mesopotamia; and all that was naturally dear to her.

Having partaken of the food provided, and tarried all night, they rose up in the morning, and Eliezer said, "Send me away to my master," for Rebekah must needs leave home and kindred if she is to become the bride of Isaac, and dwell in the promised land. The call was clear: the message plain. And so it is with God's call to-day. Might we express it in verse

"0 worldly pomp and glory,

Your charms are spread in vain

I've heard a sweeter story,

I've found a truer gain."

I will tell you what induced me

For the better land to start,

'Twas the Saviour's loving kindness

Overcame and won my heart."

"Vain world, farewell, from thee I part;

The voice of God has reached my heart." And so it should be- "My old companions, fare ye well." That Rebekah's mind

was fully made up, and that she was prepared to take the momentous step was

plainly evident. But she had friends-friends who would have hindered her. "Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten: after that she shall go." So said her brother and her mother. It is often thus. The hindrances of "flesh and blood" in the path of obedience marked out for the believer, are often suave and strong. And sometimes hindrances arise from exceptional quarters-it may be from such as would not intentionally thwart God's will, even as John, deeply conscious of his unworthiness to baptize the Lord Jesus, " would have hindered Him " ; but the Master in His own perfect way quickly replied, " Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." Nothing could, and nothing did hinder the blessed Master. He went on, "leaving us an example that we should follow His steps" (1 Peter 2. 21, and see Psalm 85. 13).

Abraham's servant was urgent-" Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way." And, for the second time he added-" Send me away that I may go to my master." So for Rebekah the eventful moment-the moment to declare her decision had arrived, for already her mind was fully made up. "They said, We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth. And they called Rebekah." Can you picture the scene-that little family group, Laban, Bethuel; Abraham's servant; Rebekah. And the God of Heaven looking down? "Wilt thou go with this man ?" That is the vital-the decisive question. L)id Rebekah hesitate? No! From a full and thankful heart- ready to forget the

things that were behind, and to stretch forward to the things that lay before, came the quick and ready answer--" I will go." Nor were these vain words-they meant much.

So "they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servants, and his men. And they blessed Rebekah." 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." It was with purpose of' heart she mounted her camel, prepared to press on toward the goal, unto the prize that lay in the sunny land of the South. It was doubtless a long, and a rough journey through the desert; but all the roughness of the way was soon exchanged for the heart of Isaac, and the secret of his home.

So we leave Rebekah on the desert journey, accompanied by her faithful guide. And, what is Isaac doing at his end of the road? Was he unconcerned? How could he be? Had not "the elder of his father's house "-the faithful Eliezer-gone away to secure for him the " help meet" his heart yearned for? So it is no wonder we read, that "Isaac came (the Septuagint has, through the wilderness, see R.V.M.) ... and Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide." Watching and waiting, what, I wonder, were his meditations? Alone-there are moments when we must get alone-Isaac presents a lovely picture of CHRIST. Though enshrined amid eternal glory and majesty, and surrounded with the innumerable hosts of angels, and heavenly beings-all at His service, He is not satisfied. He will be-" He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied," but not yet.

"There amidst the songs of heaven,

Sweeter to His ear

Is the footfall through the desert,

Ever drawing near

There made ready are the mansions,

Glorious bright and fair;

But the bride, the Father gave Him

Still is wanting there."

Thus meditating, Isaac "lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, there were camels coming." The joys of anticipation were now to give place to the fuller joys of realisation. Rebekah is nearing home - the home so familiar to Isaac, but all new to her. Had the journey seemed long? Perhaps at times it did. But you remember, Jacob's seven years which he served for Rachel seemed to him but "a few days," because of the love he had for her. Love for our "Beloved" does sweeten life's pilgrimage. At any rate, whether it was long or short, simultaneously with Isaac, "Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel." The Septuagint has-" She alighted briskly from the camel." And that, I think, means much. "And she said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant said, It is my master: and she took her veil and covered herself." Thus, wrapped in her veil, which, surely, was of Abraham's and Isaac's providing, she was presented to Isaac. Their eyes met. For the first time they looked upon each other. What a moment! A foreshadowing of that "moment "-that "twinkling of an eye," when " we shall see Him even as He is "-our Saviour, Lord, and Eternal Lover.

And the servant told Isaac "All the things he had done. 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."

And so it will be, dear reader, with you, and with me, only in infinitely greater and more glorious measure. Can you imagine what it will be to see the Face of the Lord Jesus? "His servants shall serve Him, and they shall see HIS FACE." And, as we gaze-and gaze-and gaze-we shall then know the true meaning of what we have so often read, and said, "HE IS ALTOGETHER LOVELY." For if it is so now, while absent from Him, what, I repeat, will it be, when that which is perfect is come, and we see Him "face to face?

"Now His time has come.

To share His throne was little in her eyes,

Whose glory it was to hear Him whisper,

'My beloved is Mine'

To lean upon His bosom, and reflect

The sunshine of His everlasting joy.

'Oh glorious Church -known only by His Name:

Oh finite image of the Infinite:

Oh holy creaturehood, perfect at last:

Oh true self, raised to true unselfishness,

Living for Him alone, Who is thy Life,

All and in all for Him, As He for God."

Oh glorious day! For then indeed shall tears, and trials; labours, and sufferings; which must needs be passed through down here; seem as nothing-seem like a dream-and not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall then be revealed in us.

May our God, in His grace, keep our hearts loyal and true to our absent, but soon-coming Lord, whose word from the Throne is-" Behold, I come quickly."

N.W.D.Miller | Dec 1936
For Young Believers