This article is a part of the Biblical Hope series. To start this study from the beginning, click here: Biblical Hope.
“My lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.” (Genesis 23:15)
Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah: This is where Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham. Isaac and Rebekah were both buried here. Jacob buried Leah here, and Joseph buried Jacob here. And this was the place Joseph told his descendants to bury him, taking his bones with them when they came into the Promised Land.
Abraham purchased the plot of land for future burials, not just Sarah. It was an act of faith, and therefore, he did not negotiate the price, he simply bought it, with his eyes toward the promise.
“A righteous man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children.”
His children did not necessarily enjoy the inheritance because they were dead, what they inherited though, was a faith that was not only forward thinking, but action taking.
In Genesis 24, there is a Bride for Isaac and an unnamed servant plays the crucial role in finding her.
A picture in type of the Holy Spirit (Eliezer means “God is my Help”) sent by the Father to a far country to find a bride for the Son
The servant is also an example of the prayerful, worshipful, and obedient disciple. He is obviously delighting in the will of God and the adventure of following Him.
He sees his role as a vital one and enters into it fully.
And he said, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.” (Genesis 24:12-14 ESV)
The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord and said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the Lord has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen.” (Genesis 24:26-27 ESV)
Note the following verses, as if the Lord heard his prayers before they were uttered:
- “Before he had finished speaking…” (Genesis 24:15)
- “Before I had finished speaking in my heart…” (Genesis 24:45)
- “Then I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way” (Genesis 24:48)
Principle 30: For the servant of God, prayer is continual. Keeping on track to the will and mission of the One who sent us is essential.
The result of the journey is a marriage. This is no small thing because there were definite parameters set by the Father for this to occur.
Why?
Because the covenant promises were to be passed down through one son (seed). The participation of the called out individuals were critical in the process. God is not a puppeteer. He is a symphony conductor.
Note the final scene: The son is found “meditating” in the field. Here, the word meditating is: שׂוּחַ. This is the only time this word is used in the Bible. It means: to muse, commune, speak, or complain. It can be done while walking or chanting as in piety.
“Who is that man, walking in the field to meet us?” (Genesis 24:65)
Rebekah is asking as if she never saw such a man before. So, Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. (Genesis 24:67)
Next article: Abraham Gave All He Had to Isaac
© Do not copy or distribute without permission from the author. Please contact us for more information.
