January 11
Gen 24:52-26:16 | PS 10:1-15 | Prov 3:7-8 | Matt 8:18-34
God does not work in coincidence. God's Word is written by the Holy Spirit through men, therefore every word is perfect. The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed, while the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed. In my 1/9/22 post it was seen how Isaac was a picture of Jesus in many ways. After Abraham offered Isaac on the altar at Mount Moriah, we read in Genesis 22:19, "So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba." It might seem a trivial point at first, but Isaac is not mentioned again until Genesis 24. In the interim, the story revolves around finding a bride for Isaac (just as we are the bride of Christ). We read in 24:2, "So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh,". This oldest servant would have been Eliezer, which means "God my help". The Holy Spirit, "the Helper", is sent to find a bride for Isaac. Notice, that His name is not mentioned anywhere in chapter 24 (his name is given in 15:2). But this is another picture, as we read in John 15:26, "“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me." Now, when Eliezer sees the bride, Rebekah, we see his words in Genesis 24:16, " Now the young woman was very beautiful to behold,...". Though, we might feel ugly and unworthy, we are seen as beautiful by God. We finally see Isaac again in 24:62-66, as the bride is brought to him. A beautiful picture of us, Christ's bride being brought by the Holy Spirit to our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.
Since in this story, we are the bride, we are Rebekah, let's take a closer look at her. Notice her response when her family tries to delay her meeting her bridegroom in Genesis 24:55-58, " But her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman stay with us a few days, at least ten; after that she may go.” And he said to them, “Do not hinder me, since the Lord has prospered my way; send me away so that I may go to my master.” So they said, “We will call the young woman and ask her personally.” Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.”" She did not procrastinate. Once given the offer of the Bridegroom, she went immediately. In case this sounds like a fun little road trip, understand, that Rebekah was now going on a 400 mile journey on the back of an uncomfortable camel. Just like for Rebekah, our journey on this earth might be difficult, but our destination to our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ is well worth it. When Rebekah arrives, she doesn't complain, begrudge her difficult journey, she dismounts and runs to her bridegroom.
We read in Matthew 8, that Jesus is showing Himself powerful over everything: disease, nature (the winds), the demons. Our Bridegroom is more than worthy of our allegiance. We see Jesus' words in 8:19-22, "Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”" Realize, these were excuses. This second man was looking to settle his earthly inheritance before following Jesus. In this short post, hopefully you realize just how loved and desired you are by God. He desires you and sees you as beautiful. No matter what we have done, no matter what we do, will not change His absolute love for us and how beautiful we are to Him. For our part, there is nothing more beautiful than Jesus. Nothing on this earth compares. We hold onto things, we crave trinkets, when Jesus offers us so much more. Like Rebekah, may we not procrastinate. May we not despair of the trials that we might encounter. For one day, He is coming back for His Bride and nothing on this earth compares to this, our Living Hope.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: