A Priceless Gift

Scripture: Genesis 24:55

But her brother and her mother said, "Let the girl stay with us {a few} days, say ten; afterward she may go."

A servant of Abraham was sent on a journey to find a wife for Abraham's son Isaac. The mother of Isaac had recently died; and Abraham and Isaac were in mourning for her. Abraham wanted his son to have a wife. However, he told his servant to not take any of the wives from the land in which they lived. He told him to go back to the land in which he was from; in the land of his father. He did not want his son marrying a woman of Canaanite heritage. The servant was concerned that the woman would not possibly come. Abraham told him; that he would be free from fulfilling the oath, if she chose not to come with him. The servant then promised with a oath to fulfill his master's wishes, to find a wife for Isaac; and to make sure that he did not take Isaac with him.

The servant left with ten camels, and other items of his master's goods, in search of a wife for Isaac. Upon arriving in the land in which he was sent; he prayed to God, asking the Lord within his heart to have success. While he was yet praying, a beautiful woman came into his vision at evening; at the time it was normal for the women to draw water from the wells. He asked her for water, and she gave it to him. Then she also drew water for all of his camels without him asking her directly. This was an answer to his prayer. The servant then proceeded to ask her, who her father was? She told him who her father was, her brother, and her mother. He knew then based on her family's relation to his master, that the Lord had answered his prayer.

Therefore, he gave her earrings for her ears, and bracelets for her wrist, and went with her to see our family. Upon arrival, he was well received because she had communicated who he was to her entire household. After the servant explained in detail what the Lord had done, the brother, and the mother agreed to allow the daughter, to go with him to be the wife of Isaac. The next morning they were hesitant to let her go, and wanted them to stay a little while longer, however, they allowed them to leave.

Upon their arrival Isaac was in the field praying. When he looked up, he saw the camels coming. When Rebekah looked up, she seen him coming towards them. She dismounted her camel; and asked who he was. The servant told her it was her husband, and she covered herself with a veil. When Isaac inquired who she was, the servant told him; and he received her unto himself, as his wife.

Commentary:
The servant of Abraham was obedient to his master's wishes, and did not turn to the right or left in finding a wife for his master's son, Isaac. He went exactly where Abraham told him to go, and he prayed to God upon arriving at his destination. While he was yet praying, the wife of Isaac came into his view. He was captured by her beauty, but he needed to know if she was indeed the wife that God had chosen for his master's son. Therefore, he watched her closely as she continued to do what was in her heart.

When he realized that she was the one, he presented to her with gifts from his master. Rebekah had no idea that God had chosen her as a wife for his servant's son, Isaac. She was unassuming and giving. She had a personality of kindness and love, regardless of if she knew someone or not.

She was also a very industrious woman. The servant knew that God had surely answered his prayer of success as he watched her in silence. The servant wanted to make his master happy, and that he did; by bringing back a priceless gift.

Reflection:
Abraham's servant was committed to the will of his master. He listened to what he told him to do, and he did exactly what he instructed him. The servant also had a relationship with God because when he prayed God answered him. Rebekah had a heart of gold. Even though she did not know this perfect stranger, she showed hospitality, care and concern for his well being. These two servants show us how to really serve one another. The servant desired to fulfill his master's wishes, and in turn his prayer was answered by God; with a priceless gift of humility, and servitude, that served him; as well as his master's son.

Prayer:
Father God, thank you for making me into the servant that you would have me to be, so that you will be glorified in everything that I put my hands to. I thank and praise you, because without you I can do nothing, but with you, all things are possible to him that believes. Thank you so much for trusting in me to be a servant for you. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Strong's Concordance Definitions:
But her brother: 251
1) brother

a) brother of same parents
b) half-brother (same father)
c) relative, kinship, same tribe
d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
e) (fig.) of resemblance


and her mother: 517
1) mother
a) of humans

b) of Deborah's relationship to the people (fig.)
c) of animals
2) point of departure or division


let the girl: 5291
1) girl, damsel, female servant
a) girl, damsel, little girl
1) of young woman, marriageable young woman, concubine, prostitute
b) maid, female attendant, female servant

stay: 3427
1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide
a) (Qal)
1) to sit, sit down
2) to be set
3) to remain, stay
4) to dwell, have one's abode
b) (Niphal) to be inhabited
c) (Piel) to set, place
d) (Hiphil)
1) to cause to sit
2) to cause to abide, set
3) to cause to dwell
4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited
5) to marry (give an dwelling to)
e) (Hophal)
1) to be inhabited
2) to make to dwell

with us a few: 3117
1) day, time, year

a) day (as opposed to night)
b) day (24 hour period)
1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
2) as a division of time
a) a working day, a day's journey
c) days, lifetime (pl.)
d) time, period (general)
e) year
f) temporal references

1) today
2) yesterday
3) tomorrow

ten: 6218
1) ten, decade

a) ten, tenth
b) ten-stringed, harp

afterward: 310
1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time)
a) as an adverb
1) behind (of place)
2) afterwards (of time)
b) as a preposition
1) behind, after (of place)
2) after (of time)
3) besides
c) as a conjunction
1) after that
d) as a substantive
1) hinder part
e) with other prepositions
1) from behind
2) from following after


she may go: 1980
1) to go, walk, come

a) (Qal)
1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
b) (Piel)
1) to walk
2) to walk (fig.)
c) (Hithpael)
1) to traverse
2) to walk about
d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Book of Beginnings - Genesis 24 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 11 Jan 2010. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gen&c=24&t=NASB

Higgins, S. (2009). A Priceless Gift. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing. Http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com