A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION P/12

 

                                   

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                 AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION

                                       PART XII

“I, Rebekah, made a very important decision the day I decided to leave my hometown Nahor to go to Canaan....The reason I decided to do so was because I understood that God had a special plan for my life... It was up to me to obey it.... I am so glad that I did.... Of course, when I left that day with Abraham's servant Eliezer, I had  no idea that one day I would be the mother of Jacob and the grandmother of his twelve sons out of whom have come the twelve tribes of Israel... Most importantly, of course, is the fact that the Saviour of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ, came from one of the tribes of Israel....I would like to ask you to be as obedient to God as I was... Because you matter to God as much as I did.... And the Lord will bless you and take care of you... And cause you to be a blessing to others....You may not be asked to do what I was asked to do... But God has things for you to do that only you can do... So go ahead and be obedient to Him no matter what the cost."... Please read the attached story when Rebekah shows you why you too should be willing and obedient to the Lord."....

 

                ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                   AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION

                                                                         PART XII

Please understand that God had chosen Rebekah from Nahor, this young unknown girl from nowhere to become the wife of Isaac. Not only was she chosen by Him to be the wife of Isaac, she was chosen by God to become the mother of Jacob and the grandmother of his twelve sons out of whom have come the twelve tribes of Israel. Now Rebekah had no idea of these things when the question was put before her if she would be willing to go with this man to his home and his country far away from her home and her country to get married to someone she had never met. She could have said, "No" and if she had, we would very likely never have heard from her again. But she said, "Yes" and showed thereby remarkable courage. She must have somehow known that this was the right path for her and that she should obey the God of Abraham whom  she very likely did not know personally at that time. And the blessings pronounced upon her at her departure have been fulfilled and will be fulfilled yet more fully in the future.

Just as God had a specific plan for a young girl from nowhere so He does have a plan for you as you can read in Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

And just as Rebekah dared to step out in obedience to God's plan for her life, not knowing where it would lead to, so God wants you to be obedient to Him and He will lead you every day of your life as you walk with Him trusting Him in everything and for everything. God knows you. He knows your needs and He knows your desires. Just as Rebekah mattered to Him so you matter to Him as Jesus says in Matthew 6:26

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

So be like Rebekah and learn from her to willingly follow Jesus wherever He leads you for He will take care of you as you fulfill His plan for your life. Your willingness to serve the Lord in whatever way He wants you to will bless you and cause you to be a blessing to others. You may not be asked to marry a total stranger in a foreign land as Rebekah was, but God has things for you to do which only you can do so go ahead and be obedient to Him no matter what the cost, knowing that God will equip you for the things that he He has for you to do as you can read in Ephesians 2:10

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

God wants to use you for His purposes and being obedient to Him will bring you true fulfillment.

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION P/11

 

                                     

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION

                                  PART XI

“I, Abraham’s servant Eliezer, waited to hear what Rebekah’s family here in Nahor had to say about my decision to return to my master in Canaan this very morning... They thought I should stay another ten days or so to give Rebekah opportunity to say goodbye to her family and friends and to get ready for the journey... I could understand that Rebekah's family may have wanted her to stay with them for a little longer since, very likely, they would never see her again once she went to Canaan... However, I knew that I needed to return to Canaan to see my master.... So I told Rebekah's family that I would not postpone my trip... They then decided they would ask Rebekah what she wanted to do... And Rebekah told us she would go with me to Canaan... No doubt, the Lord prepared her heart to make her willing to go with me on this long and tiring journey...And so Rebekah, her nurse, my men and I set off for Canaan earlier today."

                      ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                   AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION

                                                                      PART XI

Will Rebekah be willing to go back to Canaan with Abraham’s servant, Eliezer? Let's read Genesis 24:55-61 to find out her response

But her brother and mother replied, "Let the girl remain with us ten days or so; then you may go." But he said to them, "Do not detain me, now that the Lord has granted me success to my journey. Send me on my way that I may go to my master. They then said, "Let's call the girl and ask her about it." So they called Rebekah and asked her, "Will you go with this man?" "I will go, "she said. So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham's servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, "Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the gates of their enemies."

Rebekah's family realises that Rebekah is willing to go with Abraham's servant so they do not try to persuade her to remain at least for a few days  but speak profound blessings over her as she departs.

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION P/10

  

                                   

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                 AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION

                                       PART X

“I, Abraham’s servant Eliezer, feel so refreshed this morning....And no wonder.... For I have had such a good sleep at the home of Rebekah's family here in Nahor... It has been the best sleep I have had since I left Canaan some weeks ago... You may well think that I may like to stay here for a few more days to enjoy the hospitality of my master's relatives... It is temping I have to say... Especially because everyone has been so kind and welcoming to me... However, I know that I need to return to my master.... For he will have been eagerly waiting for my return since the day I left him... I will, therefore, not postpone my return to Canaan but will leave this very day... For I am very excited to be able to tell my master how the Lord has led me all the way to the home of his relatives to find a bride for his son Isaac... That news will, no doubt, set his heart at rest.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Abraham's servant, Eliezer, makes the decision to return to Canaan the next morning...

            ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                  AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION

                                                         PART X

We would have expected Abraham’s servant Eliezer, who has come all the way from Canaan to Nahor, to take a few days off before travelling back home, but the text tells us that the next day already he is ready to go back home for he has finished his task and is eager to tell his master Abraham what has happened to him as you an read in Genesis 24:54

Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night there. When they got up the next morning, he said, "Send me on my way to my master."

Even the wonderful hospitality enjoyed by Abraham's servant, Eliezer, the evening before, when he was given such a delicious meal at the home of Rebekah's family, does not prevent him from wanting to return to his master. 

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION P/9

 

                                 

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                 AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION

                                     PART IX  

“After I, Abraham’s servant Eliezer, had shared with Rebekah’s family here in Nahor, who I am and why I have come here, I waited…I looked at their faces to see how they felt about what I had shared with them…I could see they were carefully considering  everything I had said…Rebekah's father, Bethuel, and her brother, Laban, then spoke up... I was very grateful for their response... For they understood that it was the Lord Himself Who had led me to come to Nahor... And that He had chosen for Rebekah to become the wife of my master's son Isaac... All I could do was bow down before the Lord... It was then time to give all the gifts my master Abraham had given me for Rebekah and her brother and mother.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn how Rebekah's brother and father respond to Abraham's servant Eliezer...

            ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES   

                                                    AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION

                                                                         PART IX    

After, Abraham’s servant Eliezer, who has come to Nahor all the way from Canaan, has spoken, he looks at Rebekah’s relatives to see how they feel about the things he has shared with them as you can read in Genesis 24:50-53

Laban and Bethuel answered, "This is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or another. Here is Rebekah; take her and go. and let her become the wife of your master's son, as the Lord has directed." When Abraham's servant heard that they said, he bowed down to the ground before the Lord. Then the servant brought out gold and silver jewellery and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and her mother.

Abraham's servant gives a very detailed account of what has happened for her knows it is extremely important that these people in front of him know exactly how God has led him to Rebekah. After he has shared his story, they are completely convinced that only God can have organised these events. Consequently, they give their blessings to Rebekah becoming the wife of Abraham's son. In response, Abraham's servant thanks the Lord. Then it is time to present gifts to Rebekah and her family. 

 

                                                           

       

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION P/8

 

                                   

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                 AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION

                                   PART VIII

“I, Abraham’s servant Eliezer, am so thankful to the Lord for leading me to the home of my master’s relatives here in Nahor…They have been so kind to me for they welcomed me into their home and made sure there was food for all the camels... Moreover, they cooked a delicious meal for my men and me.... I knew too that I would not be able to enjoy that delicious meal  until I had done something else... I had to tell them who I was, where I had come from and why I had come... So I told them that I am the servant of their relative Abraham who has gone to live in Canaan... I told them as well that my master is very wealthy... I, furthermore, shared with them that Abraham and his wife Sarah have a son named Isaac... And that my master has sent me to them to find a wife for his son... Lastly, I shared with them my encounter with Rebekah, giving them all the details.... I then waited for their response."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Abraham's servant share in detail with Rebekah's family who he is and why he is in Nahor....

               ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                   AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION

                                                                     PART VIII

Abraham’s servant is well received at Rebekah’s home in Nahor but he is not yet ready to eat as you can read in Genesis 24:33-49

Then food was set before him, but he said, "I will not eat until I have told you what I have to say,"Then tell us," Laban said. So he said, "I am Abraham's servant. The Lord has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, and camels and donkeys. My master's wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and he has given him everything he owns. And my master made me swear on oath, and said, "You must not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live, but go to my father's family and to my own clan, and get a wife for my son." Then I asked my master, "What if the woman will not come back with me?" He replied, "The Lord, before whom I have walked, will send His angel with you and make your journey a success, so that you can get a wife for my son from my own clan and from my father's family. Then when you go to my clan, you will be released from my oath even if they refuse to give her to you - you will be released from my oath." When I came to the spring today, I said,"O Lord, God of my master Abraham, if you will please grant success  to the journey on which I have come. See I am standing beside this spring; if a maiden comes out to draw water and I say to her, "Please let me drink a little water from your jar," and if she says to me,"Drink, and I will draw water for your camels too," let her be the one the Lord has chosen for my master's son." Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water and I said to her," Please give me a drink." She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder, and said,"Drink, and I'll water your camels too." So I drank and she watered the camels also. I asked her, "Whose daughter are you?""She said, "The daughter of Bethuel, son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to him." Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arm and I bowed down and worshipped the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right road to get the granddaughter of my master's brother for his son. Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn."

Abraham's servant, Eliezer, tells Rebekah's family in detail who he is, who has sent him and why he has come to Nahor. All he can do now is wait for their response. 

                                              

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION P/7

 

                                     

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION

                                 PART VII

I, Eliezer, Abraham’s servant am so grateful to the Lord for answering my prayer…. For He sent me a young woman to help me water all my camels here at the well outside the town of Nahor…. I then introduced myself… And to my delight I learned that she is the granddaughter of my master’s brother Nahor… Rebekah, for that is her name, then went back home to tell her family about her encounter with me…In the meantime I waited at the well…It did not take too long before Rebekah’s brother, Laban, came to see me….He invited me to spend the night with them…How very kind of Rebekah’s family… I have just settled all the animals….They are now all fed….I know that my men and I are all tired… But there is something I must do first before we can have that well deserved rest.”….. please read the typed out attachment when you learn of Eliezer’s encounter with Rebekah’s brother, Laban, at the well…

 

 

 

ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORY                                                   AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION

                                                                   PART VII

Has the Lord prepared Rebekah’s family to receive Abraham’s servant, who has come to Nahor all the way from Canaan? To find out let’s read Genesis 24:28-32

The girl ran and told her mother’s household about these things. Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he hurried out to the man at the spring. As soon as he had seen the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and he had heard Rebekah tell what the man had said to her, he went out to the man and found him standing by the camels near the spring. “Come, you, who are blessed by the Lord,” he said. “Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.” So the man went to the house and the camels were unloaded. Straw and fodder were brought for the camels, and water for him and his men to wash their feet.

After Laban has heard Rebekah’s story he, first of all, instructed the servants to get everything ready for their guests from Canaan. He then goes to the well outside the town and invites A raham’s servant, Eliezer, to their home. Eliezer is very grateful for the warm welcome he and his men receive at the home of Rebekah’s family.