Church Hopping

I think Genesis 24 might be one of the most friendly and uplifting passages we have had in a while. We see the kindness of the servant in taking on this task for Abraham. Note that he places his hand under his thigh. I have heard that this meant he was touching his genitals which may have been a sign of trust in that culture. I’m glad business deals don’t go down like that anymore, as I would trust no man. Abraham chooses to pick a wife for Isaac from his clan back in Mesopotamia. This could be a sign of faith, because it keeps Abraham and his descendants separate from the Canaanites but God never commands him not to intermarry.

We also see someone who has great faith besides Abraham. The servant shows faith in believing the sign will happen and Rebekah and her family show faith by allowing her to go (though I’m sure the jewelry helped too). Rebekah was obviously very kind and patient if she was willing to take the time to water 10 camels. And the jewelry she was given seemed to have been a sign of great wealth to her family since Laban is very cordial after seeing it. Once again we see extreme hospitality to outsiders. People do not appear to mind sacrificing so that guests are comfortable.

The writer must have really enjoyed the story of the servant because he tells it once and then tells it again as the servant recaps. Probably because it shows God’s providence in continuing His promise to Abraham. Overall it is difficult for us to fully understand the situation of this story because the culture is so different. We are uncomfortable with arranged marriages, while it appears that God wanted this to happen.