Genesis 25:1-5 Abraham marries again!

Abraham and Keturah

1Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, 2and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.

3Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites.

4The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah.

All these were descendants of Keturah.

5Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. 6But while he was still alive, Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.

I had forgotten that Abraham married again after Sarah’s death. There was nothing wrong with Abraham taking another wife after the death of Sarah.

But notice all of Abraham’s wealth went to Isaac and he gave the promise of the land to Isaac.

Abraham had eight sons: Isaac through Sarah, Ishmael through Hagar, and these six through Keturah.

Why did Abraham marry again? These verses came to mind.

Ecclesiastes 4:9Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. 10For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! 11Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? 12And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Blessings, David 

Wisdom Can Not Be Bought. Proverbs 3:13-20 NLT

In the movie "It's A Wonderful Life" the young George Bailey goes into Mr. Gowers drugstore and places his hand on a large cigar lighter. He closes his eyes, raises his hand as if taking an oath and says " I wish I had a million dollars". He moves the lever sparking the flint and the lighter catches producing a flame. "Hot dog!" he exclaims as he moves on to the ice cream counter. 

1 Kings 3: 5 That night the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” 

9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” 

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. 11 So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies— 12 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! 13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! 14 And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.” 

If God asked you "What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” what would you ask for? Most of us would probably ask for wealth, enough to live comfortably and help others. Maybe we'd ask for health for ourselves and our loved ones. Would we think to ask for wisdom? Probably not. Yet, here we learn wisdom is more precious then all the wealth we could attain. 

Wisdom cannot be bought. 

Proverbs 3:13-20 NLT 

13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. 

14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. 

15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

16 She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. 

17 She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. 

18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly. 

Blessings, Cecilia 

https://youtu.be/yH_dUxEhqK8

Genesis 24:62-67 God collects our tears!

Isaac Marries Rebekah

62Now Isaac had just returned from Beer-lahai-roi, for he was living in the Negev. 63Early in the evening Isaac went out to the field to meditate, and looking up, he saw the camels approaching.

64Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she got down from her camel 65and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?”

“It is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself. 66Then the servant told Isaac all that he had done.

67And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death.

“May I say of this chapter. It records what actually was said and done; but at the same time, it bears within it allegorical instruction with regard to heavenly things. The true minister of Christ is like this Eleazar of Damascus; he is sent to find a wife for his Master’s son. His great desire is, that many shall be presented unto Christ in the day of his appearing, as the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” (Spurgeon)

A lot happens in these five verses.

A man and woman meet for the first time and we must remember their arranged marriage was ordained by God. It was God that sewed their hearts together and grew their love for each other. He chose Rebekah for Isaac.

Why did Rebekah cover her face with a veil?

Find the answer here. https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/267679/jewish/Why-Does-a-Jewish-Bride-Wear-a-Veil-on-Her-Face.htm

“And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death.”

Their love grew to the point that Rebekah was able to comfort Isaac after his loss of a loved one, his mother. She surly wiped Isaac’s tears away.

This is similar to our love for Jesus, He comforts us when we loose a loved one.

AND

God collects our tears in a bottle.

Psalm 56:8 (ESV)

8  You have kept count of my tossings;

put my tears in your bottle.

Are they not in your book?

Blessings, David 

Genesis 24:52-61 Don’t Delay!

52When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD. 53Then he brought out jewels of silver and gold, and articles of clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and her mother. 54Then he and the men with him ate and drank and spent the night there.

When they got up the next morning, he said, “Send me on my way to my master.”

55But her brother and mother said, “Let the girl remain with us ten days or so. After that, she may go.”

56But he replied, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has made my journey a success. Send me on my way so that I may go to my master.”

57So they said, “We will call the girl and ask her opinion.”

58They called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?”

“I will go,” she replied.

59So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. 60And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,

“Our sister, may you become the mother

of thousands upon thousands.

May your offspring possess

the gates of their enemies.”

61Then Rebekah and her servant girls got ready, mounted the camels, and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left.

Rebekah’s family wanted the departure delayed.

“He thought, perhaps, that there were more golden bracelets to be had, that he was parting with his sister rather too cheaply, that he must not let the priceless gem go out of his hands too soon.” (Spurgeon)

I find Spurgeon’s comment interesting for I myself thought that they loved their sister/daughter and wanted to spend a little more time with her to properly say goodbye.

Rebekah says, ““I will go,....” Words of faith to leave her home and travel 900 miles to marry a man she has never met.

“If the world does not succeed in persuading the believer to abide in the world, it will seek to delay his exit… When you decide to go with the Lord, the world will applaud your devotion but will say, ‘Don’t rush. Abide a few days, at least ten, and then go.’” (Barnhouse)

Ten days to try and convince you otherwise or to receive more golden bracelets! 

When the Lord calls you to do something, get up and move, don’t delay!

Blessings, David 

I Stand Corrected. Proverb 3:11-12 NLT

"‘I love the rod of my heavenly Father,’ exclaimed the saintly Fletcher. ‘How gentle are the stripes I feel. How heavy those I deserve.’” (Bridges)

Correction is never easy. To know we have upset, angered or even disappointed someone, especially God.

Maybe we kept on the path we knew we shouldn't be on. Maybe it was unintentional, brought about by selfishness or pride. Maybe we got away with it for so long we thought it was okay, didn't matter, insignificant in the scheme of other behaviors.

Well it's not okay, it does matter.

Isaiah 64:6 NLT

We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds,

they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.

Okay, so THAT's a Debbie downer!

Instead of being that person in Isaiah 64, embrace the person in Proverb 3 and be a delight to the Lord!

Proverb 3:11-12 NLT

11 My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline,

and don’t be upset when He corrects you.

12 For the LORD corrects those He loves,

just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

Blessings, Cecilia 

Genesis 24:34-51 Make up your mind!

34“I am Abraham’s servant,” he replied. 35“The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and donkeys. 36My master’s wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and my master has given him everything he owns.

37My master made me swear an oath and said, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell, 38but you shall go to my father’s house and to my kindred to take a wife for my son.’

39Then I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not come back with me?’

40And he told me, ‘The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send His angel with you and make your journey a success, so that you may take a wife for my son from my kindred and from my father’s house. 41Then, when you go to my kindred, if they refuse to give her to you, you will be released from my oath.’

42So when I came to the spring today, I prayed, ‘O LORD, God of my master Abraham, if only You would make my journey a success! 43Here I am, standing beside this spring. Now if a maiden comes out to draw water and I say to her, “Please let me drink a little water from your jar,” 44and she replies, “Drink, and I will draw water for your camels as well,” may she be the woman the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.

45And before I had finished praying in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’

46She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well.’ So I drank, and she also watered the camels.

47Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’

She replied, ‘The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists. 48Then I bowed down and worshiped the LORD; and I praised the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who led me on the right road to take the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son.

49Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; but if not, let me know, so that I may go elsewhere.”

50Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the LORD; we have no choice in the matter. 51Rebekah is here before you. Take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, just as the LORD has decreed.”

Today’s study is long, and Spurgeon’s interpretations say it all.

Eliezer is the servant of Abraham.

“The phrase, ‘my master’, is the refrain of this chapter; the word ‘master’ occurs twenty- two times. Eliezer did not aspire to any independence of Abraham, or of Abraham’s son. His thoughts were of his master; his words were in praise of his master; his deeds on behalf of his master. He was not his own, but the bond-servant of another. This is also our position.” (Spurgeon)

“‘Well,’ says one, ‘I am glad you have spoken to us; I will think it over.’ No, friend, I do not mean that. I do not want you to think it over. You have had enough of thinking; I pray that God’s Spirit may lead you to an immediate decision.” (Spurgeon)

Last night Cecilia and I attended Compassionate Recovery at our church. We haven’t been able to attend due to work, commitments etc. The study’s theme, get up and move. When the Lords directs you and opens a door to change or do something in your life, get up and move. You can’t do anything if you just sit there. Don’t be wishy washy. Make up your mind, this door may not open again!

Eliezer wanted an immediate decision, make up your mind!

Blessings, David 

Genesis 24:28-33 A True Servant!

28The girl ran and told her mother’s household about these things. 29Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he rushed out to the man at the spring. 30As soon as he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and heard Rebekah’s words, “The man said this to me,” he went and found the man standing by the camels near the spring.

31“Come, you who are blessed by the LORD,” said Laban. “Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.” 32So the man came to the house, and the camels were unloaded. Straw and feed were brought to the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of his companions.

33Then a meal was set before the man, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told you what I came to say.”

Rebekah just experienced a life changing day! 

Laban, “As soon as he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists”... Did the riches motivate him or the love for his sister?

It was customary to provide water and the washing of feet of those who visited a household due to sandals and the dusty arid climate.

“I will not eat until I have told you what I came to say.”

“Like every true servant of Christ, he put his master’s business before his own ease or comfort; even before the question of necessary food. When a man begins to think more of his eating than of doing the will of God, he ceases to be a true-hearted minister.” (Spurgeon)

Abraham’s servant was a true servant of his master and of the Lord.

Are you a true servant of Christ?

Blessings, David