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QUEST TO UNDERSTAND ELEMENTARY SCRIPTURAL TRUTH

Rebekah’s Search for a Man

Genesis 24 · Pastor Craig R. Jarvis

 

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1Abraham’s Instructions for the Search

  • Abraham picks out a messenger who is highly 24:1-6
    • The task is extremely important to the future of the Abrahamic line
    • Abraham uses an enclitic an (“please”) to indicate the of the task
    • Abraham asks him to swear to do this task to his full ability
    • Abraham’s hopes were to get someone from the same “ ”
  • Abraham reassures the servant with a new-found in God 24:7-9

    • Question: Where do you think this kind of confidence came from?

    • Abraham claims God’s promise with a tested and tried faith!
    • Introducing…Rebekah!
  • The journey for the servant is long, so perhaps he does not take time to water the camels 24:10-12
  • Remember the importance of in the ANE…this becomes the test for a bride for Isaac 24:13-14
  • Note the importance of the 24:15-16
    • In the previous chapter, we are given insights into the lineage of Rebekah
    • The reader is to assume that this was going to be the bride to be…
    • However, the writing is meant to let us see through the eyes of the
    • He her from afar
    • He is by her beauty
    • He moves in to deliver the
    • And the reader waits in anticipation
  • She is more than the servant hoped for 24:17-21
    • His test is that she would offer to give the camels water – she offered until they had enough to drink!
    • What a woman! She showed her character by not only meeting the servant’s needs, but also the needs of the !

2Negotiations for a Bride

  • The servant begins to the deal 24:22-28
    • A shekel is about 12 grams (0.4 ounces)
    • The showing of gifts and number of camels only highlights the wealth of Abraham at this point in his life
    • Rebekah introduces herself
    • Not by
    • Only by
    • For the reader, this is exciting: God is working behind the scenes to work things out better than could have been planned
    • Notice the emphasis on in the life of the servant
    • Laban is introduced to the reader (get used to the name…like a bad dream…)
  • Laban reveals his character right from the start 24:29-30

    • Where in the world did this wonderful girl get her genes?

    • Notice where Laban was (by the camels)
    • Camels were a sign of luxury
    • Camels for service were rare in this day
    • Laban parks right next to the wealth
  • Laban sees the in the “blessings of the Lord” 24:31-33
    • There is an intentional contrast between the characters

3Rebekah Finds Her Dream-Man

  • The servant appeals to the weakness of Laban (what might that be?)
  • Laban was surely thinking: “If this servant throws this kind of wealth around on behalf of his master…just think of the wealth of the master!”
  • The servant confirms Laban’s suspicions – Abraham was blessed tremendously!
  • And finally, the icing on the cake: Isaac all that Abraham 24:36
  • The servant shifts to speak to the girl’s curiosity 24:37-41
    • The servant plays on the fact that there was a kinship between Isaac and Rebekah
    • Before the servant left, he was worried about the reaction of the
    • “What if she doesn’t come with me?”
    • “What if she is not willing?”
    • The servant seems to be speaking in such a way as to indicate his belief that since God was faithful thus far, it is only reasonable that God would fulfill his promise to completeness
  • The servant recounts the recent events for the family 24:42-48
  • Notice: God guided him “ ” – God is One in whose word and work we may place complete confidence TDOT 1:313
  • Now, the servant asks the family to pay Abraham with the same characteristics that has shown 24:49
    • “The phrasing is so loaded and slanted as to deter non-compliance. On the one hand the allusion to the recent divine guidance ‘by the true way’ insinuates the meaning ‘If you will do as God has done’ or even the more threatening rhetorical question ‘Will you go against God?’”
    • -Sternberg
  • Laban’s response indicates that he has understood the weight of what the servant has just said to him 24:50-53

4Note: the inclusion of “Bethuel”

  • Who was “Bethuel”?

  • Note the conversation aimed at Laban (Rebekah’s brother) and her mother than at Bethuel
  • Bride money was limited to 50 shekels later in Scripture (CF: Deuteronomy 22:29)

5The Haste to Bring the Bride Home

  • The servant wastes no time in starting for home 24:54-61
    • The parents ask for more
    • There is some controversy concerning the time span, but whatever it was, it was too long for Abraham’s servant
    • Wenham suggests several explanations

    • If he didn’t take her now, did he think she would never be able to go?

    • Perhaps he was worried that Abraham would not live long enough to see his daughter in law?

    • Abraham’s servant is clearly driven by his desire to obey Abraham’s as soon as possible
    • Rebekah is asked for her input in the decision – and the reader waits with baited breath…

6Isaac and Rebekah Finally Meet

  • Sarah has passed away possibly years previous to this
  • Rebekah is entering the picture as Sarah fades out
  • Rebekah becomes the female in the clan
  • Abraham is not mentioned upon the of the servant
  • Perhaps because Isaac has from Hebron? 24:62-67
    • Perhaps because Abraham has ?
      • Note: The chronology in the next chapter does not necessarily mean that these things happened right after this chapter – they may have happened during the servant’s trip
    • Later (v.65), the servant refers to Isaac as “my master” – this may indicate the death of Abraham
    • The servant finally gave his report to Isaac, this may indicate that Abraham was not around to take his report
    • Rebekah “jumped down” (literally “ ”) from her camel
    • Rebekah was obviously excited about the prospects of Isaac
    • Rebekah has done everything throughout the narrative – she seems to be aggressive in her actions
    • Rebekah becomes the new just as Isaac becomes the new
  • Conclusion:
    • Abraham: Abraham’s last wish seems to be to make sure that his son marries well – he entrusts this task to a servant of great character…a man of his
    • Even at his death, Abraham shows great faith in the promise of God
    • God rewarded him more than he could have dreamed in the person of Rebekah
    • The Servant: The servant reflects the of his master throughout the narrative and God shows faithful to him also – more than he could have hoped for
    • “Abraham’s servant is a man who prays before he acts, praises when his prayers are answered, and lives ever conscious that the affairs of men are controlled by the hand of God. He describes Abraham as walking before the LORD, but he does the same himself and indeed remarks that the God of Abraham had guided him reliably in the way.”
    • -G. Wenham - WBC

    • Laben: Well, what can you say?

    • Rebekah: Rebekah’s faith to go with the servant immediately parallels own faith in leaving once called upon by God – the reader is left to anticipate her next move
    • God: God is pictured as the of – yet once again.

7QUESTION:

  • Have these words taken on any new meaning because of Abraham’s life?

  • “These all died in faith, not having received what was promised, but having seen it and greeted it from afar…”
  • Hebrews 11:13

© 2026 Craig Jarvis. All rights reserved. Used by permission of the author. Not for resale.