The bringing of Rebekah from a far country to be the wife of Isaac is an illustration of the promise which the LORD spoke through Isaiah. “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” (Isa 42:16)
The people of GOD, (who are the bride of CHRIST), cannot be distinguished from the inhabitants of this world in their natural state. “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Eph 2:2-3) Who could have guessed that this young maiden (Rebekah) would grow up to dwell in the house of Isaac?
On the day that she was found by the servant of Abraham, she was not seeking a husband nor did she have any desire to leave her happy home in the land of her nativity. “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” (Rom 3:11) Neither did any of the children of GOD have any desire after the things of GOD, for they were dead in trespasses and sins. Yet the promise of GOD is that HE would bring the blind by a way which they knew not and this promise is fulfilled as the LORD is pleased to quicken whom HE will and bring them out of darkness and into the light. The blind are made to see and the deaf to hear.
The servant of Abraham (Eliezer) was sent by HIS master to a particular place for the express purpose of getting a bride for his son, Isaac. He would not return until he had accomplished exactly what he was sent to do. The LORD JESUS said that HE would send a COMFORTER (HIS HOLY SPIRIT) to lead HIS people into all truth. This SPIRIT will not fail to accomplish exactly what HE came to do. HE will awaken the people of GOD and speak to them of CHRIST.
Rebekah was showered with gifts by Eliezer out of the abundance of the riches which were in his master’s house. Her heart was softened towards Eliezer and ultimately won over by the bestowal of these gifts and kindnesses. The HOLY GHOST gives the children of GOD the gift of faith wherein they are compelled to follow CHRIST. “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” (Psa 68:19) “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.” (Psa 110:3) When asked by her father if she would go with Eliezer she gladly consented even though she knew comparatively little about her future husband.
She went out from her family having no idea how to get to where Isaac was, yet her way was marked out by the same one who came from a far country to get her. She was carried on her journey without any effort on her part. The one who fetched her was also committed to bringing her back to his master. Her safety and direction were assured by him who was a faithful servant.
She rode upon the back of the most reliable and suited means of travel through the trackless wasteland that separated her from the land of her nativity and that place wherein she would continually dwell with her husband. These camels were not her own but belonged to the same one who had sent his servant to fetch her. So, CHRIST has sent HIS HOLY SPIRIT to gather his children from the corners of the earth. They ride upon the backs of HIS camels of grace, which are both surefooted and know the way home even in the midst of darkest night, the raging storms of trouble, or the merciless heat of the sun. “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Heb 13:5) “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” (1Thes 5:23-24)
The scriptures say that she “rode upon the camels, and followed the man”, which was the master’s servant. Now on the one hand she didn’t have much choice in the matter because after all she did not know the directions which would take her to her destination. Yet at the same time she wanted to follow him because she believed that he knew the way and had proven himself kind and trustworthy by his gifts and demeanor. Even as CHRIST revealed HIMSELF to Peter who confessed, “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68-69) The LORD JESUS said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)
One other thing that we see is that the servant “took Rebekah”. He did not leave her to wander about here and there, just hoping that she would arrive someday in time for his master’s son’s wedding. He left nothing to chance but made sure that she would arrive at the proper destination at the proper time. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” (Rom 8:28-30)
And then finally we see the scriptures say, Eliezer “went his way”. He had a pathway which he had already traversed. He did not ask Rebekah for any input on the journey nor did he alter his course to suit her whims along the way. The pathway which the LORD has seen fit to lead us down is seldom one we would choose. It is a way which we knew not, but known well to HIM.
We desire to see all of our hopes and dreams fulfilled. We would never choose to be sick or fall into poverty of any sort. We would avoid all pitfalls and discomfort. We would desire a life of ease and plenty. Yet it has not pleased the LORD to design our lives just like we would want them to be. While HE has not designed for us a life of ease, HE has promised that HIS “grace is sufficient” for all trials. While HE has not designed for us a life free of temptation and trial, HE has promised the HE would with the temptation (trial) make a way that we might escape it. While HE has not designed for us a life free from all sin, HE has triumphed over sin for us and does remind us that HE can be touched with feeling of our infirmities, having been tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. CHRIST is our DELIVERER in all things.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” (1Pet 1:3-9) “Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” (Isa 48:17)
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