Daily Devotions
Genesis
"By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, And of the far-off seas." Psalm 65:5
Text: Genesis 24 : 1 - 67
THE BIG QUESTION
Eliezer had given a fairly detailed account of why and how he had come to the home of Rebekah! He had been careful to trace the hand of God in all events! It was the Lord who had blessed Abraham. It was the Lord who had led and blessed his journey too. From start to finish, Eliezer spoke of how the God of Abraham had prospered his journey! There was only one more matter he needed to raise up.
“Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me.
And if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”GENESIS 24:49
There was no coercion on the part of Eliezer to compel the family to give Rebekah as a prospective bride to Isaac. He just needed to know their decision. Would they say “Yes” and thus “deal kindly and truly” with Abraham! They could also say “No” in which case, Eliezer would be released from his oath to Abraham!
SUCCESS!
What could Bethuel, the father of Rebekah say as he heard all these words! Together with his son, Laban, the following reply was given to Eliezer.
“Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said,
‘the thing comes from the Lord; we cannot speak
to you either bad or good. Here is Rebekah before you;
take her and go, and let her be your master’s sons’ wife,
as the Lord has spoken.”GENESIS 24:50-51
“The thing comes from the Lord”
This was something that Eliezer must have wanted to hear from Bethuel! The most crucial thing that he wanted the family to see was God’s hand in everything! If they could recognize the hand of the Lord, then appropriate response would be forthcoming!
“As the Lord has spoken”
Bethuel’s decision was good and appropriate! If there is recognition of the Lord’s hand, there must also be obedience to Him! This was appropriate response indeed!
“Here is Rebekah… Let her be your master’s sons’ wife”
Eliezer’s quest to look for a suitable bride for Isaac was a great success! These words from Bethuel sealed the marriage contract!
“We cannot speak to you either bad or good”
Bethuel showed glimpses of wisdom and spirituality! When one sees the obvious hand of the Lord, what could one say? One says nothing – either bad or good! Faith in God enables one to see His hand of grace and love!