THE CAMELS OF THE MASTER

The vast menagerie of animals which the LORD has seen fit to put upon the earth is truly astounding. HE has made enough diversity among those creatures which HE created to keep the uniformitarian geologists and evolutionists busy trying to figure it all out until HE comes to destroy the earth and them with a fervent heat. There are some truly odd creatures which HE has made and outfitted for an exact assignment; from the lowly ant scurrying about with diligence, which men would do well to learn from (see Prov.6:6) to the majestic lions whom the LORD likened HIS own rulership and glory to. (see Hos.5:14; Rev.5:5).

Truly, one of the strangest of creatures is the camel. They would win no beauty contests, but they are designed and specifically suited to a particular task which is living in and traversing the desert. No other animal can do what the camel can do as efficiently and seemingly effortlessly as they do it. Camels have an inborn sense of direction, feet that will not sink up in the sand, noses and eyes designed to operate in sand storms, and bodies which can store water enabling them to go long distances without drinking.

The LORD has given us many types and foreshadows, metaphors, and similies in the scriptures. One can go astray by trying to make these types, etc. out to be exact replicas of the real thing. While one may not establish doctrinal truth based on these types they can serve to illustrate the truth which we discover in the word of GOD much like pictures in the newspaper. In this case that is before us and in at least one other place (see Gen.37:20-28) the camels are used as an illustration or type of the grace of GOD.

Abraham, being a type of the FATHER, sent HIS servant Eliezer. (being a type of the HOLY SPIRIT) into a far country (this low ground of sin and sorrow) to retrieve a bride (Rebekah) for his son, Isaac, (the bridegroom, being a type of CHRIST). Eliezer took the camels which belonged to his master for this journey. He had all of the authority and possessions of his master in his hand. He went to the exact country of his master’s kindred and there he found a bride for Isaac of Isaac's own kin. He went there seeking a specific bride for his masters son, and he prayed that he might be directed to the exact one which was predestined for Isaac.

Rebekah did not go to the well looking for a husband nor had she ever been acquainted with Eliezer. (see Rom.3:11) But in the sovereign purpose of GOD she was at the right place at the right time to meet him. (see John 6:37) He introduced himself and spoke only of his master (see John 16;13,14) and gave her adornments (gold and jewelry) to enhance her beauty. (see Rom.4:6) Ultimately, she left her family to marry Isaac and was carried to him by a way which she had never traveled to a land which she knew little about. (see Mat.10:37; Isa.42:16) But her knowledge or understanding of the way was of little importance because she was born on the backs of the master's camels and led by his trusted servant, Eliezer. (see John 14:26) Though she had never met Isaac face to face, Eliezer had told her about him (see I Cor.2:10) because she knew him when she saw him (see I John 3:2) walking expectantly in the fields, watching for her coming. (see Mark 13:32)

This account of Rebekah being brought to Isaac on these camels is truly a compelling and beautiful picture of the grace of GOD in gathering the chosen bride of CHRIST from the earth and safely guiding her to her ordained destination without any assistance or input from her. Yet there is another account in the scriptures of the use of camels to depict the grace of GOD which is not as often mentioned but is equally compelling.

This would be recorded in the thirty seventh chapter of Genesis and is the account of Joseph, sold into slavery by his own brethren, and brought down to Egypt by a camel train. It is clear that Joseph is a type of CHRIST, who while being rejected, yet became his people's deliverer and savior. His brethren meant to destroy him, but GOD meant their actions for good, even their own salvation. (see Gen 50:20)

The exact same grace which brings the elect children of GOD to the marriage supper of the LAMB is that which caused HIM to be born of a virgin, to tabernacle among men, and to be rejected by them, yet all the while being established as their KING and RULER, and outfitted as their SAVIOR. (See Heb.5:8; 10:5-9) "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Phil 2:8)

Could any man have ever devised such a salvation as this? Could it even be conceived in the minds of men that the HIGH and LOFTY ONE who inhabits eternity, dwelling in light to which no man can even approach, should condescend to take upon HIMSELF the likeness of human flesh and subject HIMSELF to the shame and reproach of men all the while accomplishing the very salvation of those who rejected HIM? Is it any wonder that we see our ZERUBBABEL shouting "Grace, grace unto it." (Zec 4:7) What else could have provided so great and complete a deliverance as that which HE has wrought with HIS own hands.

One of the greatest mysteries of the ages is that GOD should manifest HIMSELF by becoming a man. Even as the prophet of old had prophesied, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." (Mat 1:23; Isa.7:14) How or why should such a thing occur except that it fulfilled GOD's purpose to manifest the glory of HIS grace in redeeming a people which HE loved and chose before the foundation of the world?

It is interesting to consider that these camels brought Rebekah to Isaac in order that they might produce a son called Jacob who would go on to sire a son who would be made the deliverer of his own household, though he be taken down to Egypt by camels. And has not the very SON of GOD, the LORD JESUS CHRIST sprung from the loins of the people that HE came to bring so great a salvation? O wonder of wonders that can never be fully told.