Genesis 24
Summary for Gen 24:1-67: 24:1-67 a Isaac’s marriage to Rebekah ensured that God’s plan would continue into the next generation. God showed covenant faithfulness by working through his faithful people (24:12 b, 27 c, 49 d).Summary for Gen 24:1-9: 24:1-9 e Confident in the Lord’s promise, Abraham had his chief servant (probably Eliezer, 15:2 f) swear to find a wife among Abraham’s relatives in his homeland, some 450 miles away. Abraham was faithful to the covenant by preparing for Isaac’s future.
24:2 g Putting his hand under Abraham’s thigh (cp. 47:29 h), the servant took a very solemn oath, assuming the burden of completing this mission.
24:3 i Isaac knew how wicked and threatening the local Canaanite people were, so he maintained separation from them (cp. 26:34-35 j; 27:46 k; 28:8-9 l).
Summary for Gen 24:6-8: 24:6-8 m Under no circumstances was the servant to take Isaac from the Promised Land to seek a wife. Abraham ensured Isaac’s safety and secured God’s promises in the land of blessing.
Summary for Gen 24:10-60: 24:10-60 n The servant faithfully carried out the mission, and he glorified God in displaying faithful covenant love for Abraham’s family by bringing all the details together. God sovereignly worked behind the scenes to accomplish his will through the circumstances of those acting responsibly in faith.
Summary for Gen 24:10-27: 24:10-27 o The servant obeyed his master’s instructions and trusted God to lead him to the right woman. 24:10 p Aram-naharaim (“Aram of the two rivers”) was also called Paddan-aram (“the field of Aram,” cp. 25:20 q). It was a two-week journey in each direction, so the servant had ten ... camels for provisions and gifts (24:22 r, 53 s).
24:14 t Abraham’s future daughter-in-law manifested hospitality and industry like Abraham’s (see 18:1-8 u). Ten thirsty camels could drink 250 gallons of water, so a woman who would work that hard for a stranger was certainly not lazy, but generous and hospitable.
Summary for Gen 24:15-22: 24:15-22 v The servant received a precise, immediate answer to his prayer for guidance.
24:22 w The servant showed his gratitude by giving the girl expensive jewelry.
Summary for Gen 24:23-24: 24:23-24 x God led the servant to Abraham’s family.
24:25 y Rebekah again showed kindness by offering lodging for the servant and food for his camels.
24:26 z The servant bowed to the ground and worshiped the Lord for his loyal love and faithfulness in guiding him to the exact family he sought.
24:27 aa The Lord has shown unfailing love and faithfulness to my master: These words express this chapter’s message (cp. 24:48 ab). Believers can trust the Lord’s leading because he is sovereign in all things. He never leaves his people to their own resources in carrying out his covenant work.
Summary for Gen 24:29-31: 24:29-31 ac Laban ... ran: He was not going to miss the chance to marry his sister off and receive more gifts. Laban’s response to the servant’s wealth foreshadows his avaricious character (see 24:54-56 ad and study note; 29:21-27 ae; 30:27-36 af; 31:1-13 ag).
Summary for Gen 24:33-48: 24:33-48 ah The servant was not diverted from his mission; he insisted on telling his story before he would eat. He recounted his mission and acknowledged God’s providence in directing him to Rebekah before attending to his personal needs. The servant wanted everyone to know that this was God’s work, not a chance or humanly arranged meeting.
24:48 ai The way that God directed this event from behind the scenes is different than in most of Genesis, but it is true to how the life of faith normally works. Faith, expressed in personal prayer and obedience, looks for evidence of God’s working. Believers usually have to make wise choices and remain faithful to the covenant, trusting that God will guide them through the circumstances of life to accomplish his will.
Summary for Gen 24:50-51: 24:50-51 aj Following his testimony about God’s guidance, the servant secured the family’s blessing and permission to take Rebekah to his master’s son Isaac.
24:53 ak The servant gave expensive gifts to Rebekah, her mother, and her brother to conclude the arrangements.
Summary for Gen 24:54-56: 24:54-56 al It was hard for Rebekah’s family to let her go so suddenly, and Laban may have hoped to gain more wealth. However, the servant had sworn an oath and would not rest until it was completed. There was no reason for him to stay.
Summary for Gen 24:57-58: 24:57-58 am Rebekah’s decision to leave immediately to be with her new husband settled the impasse. Rebekah submitted to the Lord’s obvious leading. Young women were normally eager to marry (not to marry was a catastrophe), and later accounts of Laban suggest why Rebekah preferred to leave (cp. 31:14-15 an). Rebekah displayed faithful love to the servant, Abraham’s family, and Isaac by going to be Isaac’s wife.
24:60 ao At Rebekah’s departure, her family invoked the blessing that she would be a mother of many millions and that her descendants would conquer ... their enemies. Rebekah’s marriage to Isaac was part of God’s plan to bless all humankind (12:1-3 ap).
24:62 aq Isaac lived in the Negev, in the southern part of Canaan.
24:67 ar Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah (25:20 as), so Abraham was 140 (21:5 at).
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