Things Written Aforetime For Our Learning - Gleanings From Genesis

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

Genesis 24., from which we now wish to glean a little, is one of the outstanding typical chapters of the Bible. In chapter 21. we have the birth of Isaac, Abraham's "only son," and heir to all that he bad. This is typical of Christ, God's only begotten Son, and the appointed Heir of all things. In chapter 22. Isaac is laid upon the altar; offered to God; and received back from the dead in a figure. Typically, this speaks of Calvary, where Christ, through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish unto God. Then in chapter 23. we read that Sarah, of whom Isaac was born, died. This is suggestive of the setting aside of Israel, the nation " of whom is Christ as concerning the flesh."

Then we come to chapter 24. in which Abraham sends his servant to seek, and to bring home, a bride for Isaac. Typically this sets forth the present Dispensation of Grace; when God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, is calling out "a people for His Name," to be joined to His Son; to know His love; to share His untold wealth; and to be co-partner with Him on His throne-" The Church which is His Body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all," and is described in Ephesians as "the mystery which from all ages hath been hid in God the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord"; "the mystery of Christ" which "was not made known unto the sons of men in other generations, as it bath now been revealed."

Yet in the Old Testament there were foreshadowings of Christ and the Church. For example, certain verses in Psalm 139. are surely typical of this great mystery. And we get that which seems to the present writer to be suggestive of a sevenfold type of Christ and the Church, in seven bridegrooms, and seven brides, of the Old Testament. First and foremost we have Adam and Eve: and of Eve Adam said, "this is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh "when God brought her to him. Then Isaac and Rebekah. Then Jacob who "served for a wife" and Rachel "beautiful and well favoured." Then Joseph, with his Gentile bride Asenath, who knew nothing of Joseph's sufferings experimentally, but shared in the glory he had in Egypt. Then Boaz, the mighty man of wealth and Ruth, the Moabitish damsel, whom he purchased to be his wife, and brought her into the place of covenant blessing. Then David, the man after God's own heart, and the king of His providing, with Abigail, "of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance," whose heart was with David in the wilderness, and who, when joined to him, shared in his sufferings. Then we have Solomon in all his glory, with Pharaoh's daughter, who "came up out of the city of David" to the place he had prepared for her. It seems to the writer that these all, in one way or other, set forth (however dimly in some cases), Christ and His Church.

Reverting to Genesis 24. we read that "Abraham was old and well stricken in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things." Therefore, Abraham said "unto his servant, the elder of his house, that ruled over all that he had ... thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac." That this was pleasing to God, and in perfect agreement with His purpose, was made abundantly evident.

The servant had his doubts, for he said, "Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me." But Abraham was well assured. He had past experience of God's goodness and faithfulness, so that he could say to Eliezer, "The LORD, the God of heaven ... shall send His angel before thee ... And if the woman be not willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath." Then, with alacrity, the servant obeyed. And would not many a servant's heart fail, if it were not for the fact that obedience, not success, is that for which the Lord holds him responsible?

So the servant "arose and went," with "ten camels of his master," and "having all goodly things of his master's in his hand," and he came to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. He shewed his wisdom, as well as being Divinely guided, by going to the likeliest place-to the well at the time of evening- "the time that women go out to draw water." Then he prayed, "0 LORD, the God of my master Abraham, send me, I pray Thee, good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham." His prayer of 110 words is a model of what prayer should be. It was brief, and it was to the point. And what immediately follows illustrates the precious truth that-" Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear" (Isaiah 65. 24), for "it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out ... with her pitcher upon her shoulder. And the damsel was very fair to look upon." Little did she think that the whole course of her life was to be altered from that day. The servant spoke words to her upon which he had already asked God's blessing. And after Rebekah had quenched his thirst, and drawn water for the camels, "the man looked stedfastly on her; holding his peace, to know whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not." Then, taking out "a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands ... of gold," he enquired, "Whose daughter art thou" Is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in ? " With Isaac's jewels now upon her, Rebekah made confession. And it is sweet to think that she was one whom the Loan had "appointed." And is it not so with you and me? It was no mere chance that we came to Christ. Before we had a being we were in God's thoughts-"foreknown." And "Foreordained" as well. Then a day came in our experience when God's call reached our ears- we were "called," and "justified." And, in His purpose, "glorified" (Romans 8.).

By nature Rebekah was "the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor"; dwelling-not in Canaan, but in Mesopotamia. Having given

him "to drink." it is now a question of room for the man and his message. " Is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in" How much depended upon the answer. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." That was a tense moment in Laodicea-rich and increased with goods (Revelation 3. 17). Did anyone open, and let Him in? Or again, "It is the voice of my Beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to Me, My sister, My love." But alas, from within the response was slow, with the result that when "I opened ... my Beloved had turned away and was gone ... I sought Him, but I could not find Him; I called Him, but He gave me no answer" (Song of Songs 5.). But though the communion He sought was denied Him, yet her Beloved was more to her than all else beside, as the chapter abundantly shews. (See and compare John 14. 23.)

In Rebekah's case there was ready response-the answer was full and friendly, "We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in. And the man bowed his head and worshipped the Loan." So Rebekah ran, and the man with the message was welcomed into a place that had been prepared- "Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without ... And there was set meat before him to eat." But to the servant, faithful to his master, his message was more than meat. "On whatsoever errand I shall send thee thou shalt go, and whatsoever I shall command thee thou shalt speak" (Jeremiah 1. 7, R.V.M.). That was the spirit of Eliezer. " I will not eat, until I have told mine errand." Then he told precisely what his master's instructions were, as well as what took place at the well. But the chief part of his message was brief, pointed, and glorifying to his master. "I am Abraham's servant. And the Loan bath 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. And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath."

So probably for the first time, Rebekah heard of one she had never seen. But could she hope to share in such wealth with one so great? Did she take a look at herself in her mirror, just to see how she really looked ?

"Ah, blessed mirror of the Word!

Thine image is not dim nor blurred.

Looking in thee, myself I see

As God's omniscient eye sees me."

It is well to remember where, and how, the Lord found us, and to "look to the hole of the pit" whence we were digged. The Spirit-given inward look wrought conviction in us-sin, uncleanness, and filthy rags; and created the longing for a Saviour. Then the outward and upward look. And oh, "Hallelujah, what a Saviour" we found! Calvary's precious Victim, now Victor-Crowned at God's right hand. Does He save? Yes, to the uttermost.

And it was with Rebekah, that longings were created in her heart that day which only Isaac, of whom she had heard, could satisfy. The message she listened to became "the expulsive power of a new affection." "Hearken, 0 daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; Forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; So shall the King desire thy beauty: for He is thy Lord; and worship thou Him" (Psalm 45.). Having faithfully delivered his message, and claimed Rebekah for his master's son, the servant seeks for the answer. " If ye will ... tell me : and if not, tell me ... Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, the thing proceedeth from the LORD ... Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD bath spoken." So far, all was well. When he heard their words, "he bowed himself down to the earth unto the LORD."

But we seemed to leave Rebekah wondering about her fitness for Isaac's presence. "Is it possible!" she might have said- "Just as I am, without one plea"? Yes! because "the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah"; so that she could appear in

Isaac's presence robed and decked with what he himself in his forethought had provided. Typically silver speaks of redemption: and gold speaks of Divine grace and glory; and raiment tells of Divine righteousness. In Rebekah's case, all was of Abraham's, and of Isaac's bestowing.

And as with Rebekah, so will it be with the Church when she is presented on the great and glad day of presentation (Ephesians 5. 27).

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