Take Time to Be Kind
It is embarrassing to admit this, but sometimes I get so busy at work I don’t have time to be kind. I don’t make time to take personal interest in the employees and customers around me, time to really be present with someone, to be a reflection of the value they have before God as part of our human family purchased at such great price, the death of God’s Son.
The account of Eliezer and Rebecca really speaks to this area of my life and challenges me to reflect the lavish kindness of my Lord.
#259 Take Time to Be Kind Genesis 24 Part 1
There is an interesting parallel in Abraham’s attention and commitment to choose an appropriate bride for his son Isaac. His commitment matches the quest of the Father to choose a godly Bride for His Son. They share the same foundation of wisdom: Abraham sought to find a wife that would help Isaac fulfill his part in being a blessing, passing on the torch of righteousness to the next generations, and finally to provide the lineage of the seed that would bless all the families of the earth. He and his descendants were also to inherit the land of Canaan forever. Genesis 12:1-3, 7 The Father also seeks a Bride to share in the work of being Abraham’s seed, inheriting the promise of blessing Israel and all our human family. Galatians 3:27-29
Abraham laid down the basic principles for her choosing: she was not to be a daughter of the Canaanites. Genesis 24:23 There was to be no compromise with the corrupt culture of the Canaanites. The Bride of Christ was to have love and affinity for the true God.
The bride of Isaac was to come from Abraham’s country and his own relatives, Genesis 24:4, perhaps an allusion to the fact that the Gospel call began with the house of Israel.
The bride of Isaac would need to be willing to follow Eliezer and leave her own country. Genesis 24:5-8
“Listen O daughter, consider and give ear; forget your people and your father’s house. The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.” Psalm 45:10-11 NIV
The Bride of Christ, the true followers of Jesus are described as willing to have no permanent home, to be strangers and pilgrims on this earth. Matthew 8:19-20; 1 Peter 2:11-12 They are described as willing to use spiritual priority to define and fulfill family obligation. Matthew 8:21-22
Eliezer then travels with ten camels and many gifts to Mesopotamia, the city of Nahor. He has great respect for the God of Abraham, and continually aligns himself with His will and guidance. Genesis 24:10-14 Eliezer is a fitting personification of the holy Spirit. John 16:13 The holy Spirit, the spirit of truth will guide us into all the truth, will not speak only on behalf of God, disclosing what is to come.
The Father foreshadows how one would recognize the Bride of His Son in Genesis 24:14. Eliezer prays that the woman who responds to his request for a drink answers, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also.’ “May she be the one whom You have appointed for Thy servant Isaac; and by this I shall know that You have shown lovingkindness to my master.” God appointed the bride of Isaac just as God predestinated the Bride of His Son. Ephesians 1:3-7 The key to recognizing the Bride of Christ is her kindness! The loving kindness in the One who predestines is part of the character of the predestinated.
Every person is thirsty for the water of life. The whole groaning creation is afflicted with spiritual dehydration. May we be willing to live up to our spiritual heritage: to see the need and to respond with kindness and truth in a way that will bring about refreshment and renewal.
The account of Eliezer and Rebecca really speaks to this area of my life and challenges me to reflect the lavish kindness of my Lord.
#259 Take Time to Be Kind Genesis 24 Part 1
There is an interesting parallel in Abraham’s attention and commitment to choose an appropriate bride for his son Isaac. His commitment matches the quest of the Father to choose a godly Bride for His Son. They share the same foundation of wisdom: Abraham sought to find a wife that would help Isaac fulfill his part in being a blessing, passing on the torch of righteousness to the next generations, and finally to provide the lineage of the seed that would bless all the families of the earth. He and his descendants were also to inherit the land of Canaan forever. Genesis 12:1-3, 7 The Father also seeks a Bride to share in the work of being Abraham’s seed, inheriting the promise of blessing Israel and all our human family. Galatians 3:27-29
Abraham laid down the basic principles for her choosing: she was not to be a daughter of the Canaanites. Genesis 24:23 There was to be no compromise with the corrupt culture of the Canaanites. The Bride of Christ was to have love and affinity for the true God.
The bride of Isaac was to come from Abraham’s country and his own relatives, Genesis 24:4, perhaps an allusion to the fact that the Gospel call began with the house of Israel.
The bride of Isaac would need to be willing to follow Eliezer and leave her own country. Genesis 24:5-8
“Listen O daughter, consider and give ear; forget your people and your father’s house. The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.” Psalm 45:10-11 NIV
The Bride of Christ, the true followers of Jesus are described as willing to have no permanent home, to be strangers and pilgrims on this earth. Matthew 8:19-20; 1 Peter 2:11-12 They are described as willing to use spiritual priority to define and fulfill family obligation. Matthew 8:21-22
Eliezer then travels with ten camels and many gifts to Mesopotamia, the city of Nahor. He has great respect for the God of Abraham, and continually aligns himself with His will and guidance. Genesis 24:10-14 Eliezer is a fitting personification of the holy Spirit. John 16:13 The holy Spirit, the spirit of truth will guide us into all the truth, will not speak only on behalf of God, disclosing what is to come.
The Father foreshadows how one would recognize the Bride of His Son in Genesis 24:14. Eliezer prays that the woman who responds to his request for a drink answers, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also.’ “May she be the one whom You have appointed for Thy servant Isaac; and by this I shall know that You have shown lovingkindness to my master.” God appointed the bride of Isaac just as God predestinated the Bride of His Son. Ephesians 1:3-7 The key to recognizing the Bride of Christ is her kindness! The loving kindness in the One who predestines is part of the character of the predestinated.
Every person is thirsty for the water of life. The whole groaning creation is afflicted with spiritual dehydration. May we be willing to live up to our spiritual heritage: to see the need and to respond with kindness and truth in a way that will bring about refreshment and renewal.
