The context of today’s passage has the anticipation of an elementary boy asking a friend during recess to go over to the girl that he likes who is playing on the playground to see if she is into him. Yet, on this occasion Isaac’s father sent out a party led by Eliezer to find him a woman to marry. Like a boy scanning under the tree for presents on Christmas morning, Isaac can’t wait to find out what his wife looks like.
And Rebekah and her maids arose and followed the man upon their camels. Thus the servant took Rebekah and went on his way. 62 Now Isaac had returned from going to the well Beer-lahai-roi [A well to the Living One Who sees me], for he [now] dwelt in the South country (the Negeb), Genesis 24:61-62.
This same pitter patter appears to be going on inside of Rebekah’s heart as well. While I’ve ridden on a pony, traveling on a camel in the desert is far worse than a long summer car ride. As this caravan comes over a ridge, making a descent into a camp of tents, a man stares into the distance to see who is arriving. When Eliezer gives word that they’re almost there, Rebekah asks about the curious man coming towards them.
And Isaac went out to meditate and bow down [in prayer] in the open country in the evening; and he looked up and saw that, behold, the camels were coming. 64 And Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel. 65 For she [had] said to the servant, Who is that man walking across the field to meet us? And the servant [had] said, He is my master. So she took a veil and concealed herself with it, Genesis 24:63-65.
Back when I was in high school, there wasn’t an ESPN, Fox Sports or any other sports channel. The any program devoted to sports weekly was ABC’s Worldwide of Sports. This is how I was introduced to gymnastics. When Rebekah eagerly dismounts the camel she was riding, I immediately envisioned a woman’s dismount from the bars, balanced beam or rings. A dismount in gymnastics is symbolic of the grand finale, end of a routine. For Rebekah, this dismount signaled the beginning of a new life with a man she’s never met. This is true faith.
Secular music is full of one hit wonders who disappeared after their only hit song falls off the charts. This week’s featured group recorded 8 albums over 17 years. If it wasn’t for their odd name, the Echoing Green, you probably would have heard of their music on the radio. Nonetheless, the Echoing Green will surprise you by their range with remakes of former hits songs Freak Out and Safety Dance. After refreshing my memory of their collective genre, there’s a definite Culture Club and Depeche Mode vibe with an occasional Techno song.
And God said, See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the land and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30 And to all the animals on the earth and to every bird of the air and to everything that creeps on the ground—to everything in which there is the breath of life—I have given every green plant for food. And it was so, Genesis 1:29-30.
Since I spent all of high school and most of college in the 1980’s, this is the era where music influenced by life. Between listening to the radio on my way to school, running with tunes on my Walkman and playing albums on my stereo as I feel asleep, I was living on music like the title of the attached album, hope springs eternal. If you prefer more of a dance/disco music, Oxygen and Supernova will get your feet ready for the dance floor. While eighties music isn’t for everyone, I hope those who lived in this decade will enjoy the Echoing Green.
In this age of social enlightenment, educators are redefining truth. This mentality has opened the door for progressive ideology and opinions to be elevated to fact status. Instead of trusting the Good Book, the Bible, many Christians have followed in the footsteps of Abraham and Isaac. When each were challenged by severe famines, each chose to think creatively rather than place their complete trust in God.
And the men of the place asked him about his wife, and he said, She is my sister; for he was afraid to say, She is my wife—[thinking], Lest the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah, because she is attractive and is beautiful to look upon. 8 When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out of a window and saw Isaac caressing Rebekah his wife. 9 And Abimelech called Isaac and said, See here, she is certainly your wife! How did you [dare] say to me, She is my sister? And Isaac said to him, Because I thought, Lest I die on account of her. 10 And Abimelech said, What is this you have done to us? One of the men might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt and sin upon us, Genesis 26:7-10.
As someone who lost a losing battle with stuttering for the first two decades of my life, I became good at thinking about conversations and imagining various scenarios. Unfortunately, deep down, I developed the ungodly belief that I would never be able to truly express the feelings in my heart and the thoughts in my mind. Thanks to books like Restoring the Foundations by Chester and Becky Kylstra, I slowly began to trust God.
Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. 6 In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil, Proverbs 3:5-7.
Proverbs 3:5-6 is one of the first verses in the Bible that I memorized. However, being able to recall a passage word for word from the Bible isn’t the same as putting it into practice. Matthew 7:24-27 is one of the most powerful messages recorded in the Bible. Thinking is more of theory whereas trust is an act of faith. To those who are able let go and take God at His Word, promises in the Bible, you’ll grow out thinking and move on to putting Jesus’ words into practice.
While many preachers air their daily sermons on social media or television, something that became useful during the Coronavirus pandemic, some paint a much rosier view of life than the Bible details. I understand the desire to win souls to Christ, but when a stranger leads a seeker into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, don’t tell them all their problems will suddenly go away. Life is full of challenging trials, James 1:2-4, which are necessary to stimulate spiritual growth.
Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Padan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean. 21 And Isaac prayed much to the Lord for his wife because she was unable to bear children; and the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife became pregnant, Genesis 25:20-21.
If you read the Bible too fast, you’ll often miss what’s really going on. As Moses summaries the life of Isaac, he seemingly skips over the fact that it took Isaac and Rebekah 20 years to have their first child. From a modern perspective, most doctors don’t recommend women having children after forty due to the numerous health risks to the mother and child. From Rebekah’s point of view, her biological clock is running out as hope fades, replaced by doubt and fear. These are the trials that preachers with rose colored glasses often gloss over.
[Two] children struggled together within her; and she said, If it is so [that the Lord has heard our prayer], why am I like this? And she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 The Lord said to her, [The founders of] two nations are in your womb, and the separation of two peoples has begun in your body; the one people shall be stronger than the other, and the elder shall serve the younger. 24 When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb, Genesis 25:22-24.
Isaac prayed for the same thing for 19 years without any signs of God answering his request. Like a well written movie script, Moses fast forwards two decades to highlight God’s blessing of twins. Be careful what you pray for as it appears Rebekah went through a rough pregnancy, another point ignored by preachers with rose colored glasses. While everyone would prefer to hear a positive message, one of Jesus’ disciples writes about the need for Christians to go through fire, tested by God to refine faith. 1 Peter 1:6-7.
The apostle Paul writes one chapter in the Bible devoted to the need for spiritual balance, 1 Corinthians 6. While freewill gives human beings daily choices to obey God’s commands or do what they want. Paul explains beginning in 1 Corinthians 6:12 that everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Bad choices have consequences as sin separates human beings from God, Isaiah 59:2.
Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; 18 Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. 19 Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit; 20 Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning]. 21 But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast. 22 Abstain from evil [shrink from it and keep aloof from it] in whatever form or whatever kind it may be, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-22.
In a letter to the Church at Thessalonica which had a history in the first century to overreact based upon Acts 17:1-10. Whenever emotions come into play, human nature can unleash practices of the flesh, Galatians 5:15-21. Paul’s advice for protecting the Holy Spirit begins with unceasing prayer where this spiritual discipline becomes an habitual practice. When prayer is absent, Christians open the door for the Holy Spirit to be suppressed, subdued or completely quenched.
Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin). 31 Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). 32 And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you, Ephesians 4:29-32.
A portion of Paul’s letter to the Church at Rome brings this dilemma to the forefront in Romans 8:5-8. Sinful minds are hostile to the Bible and are in direct conflict with the Holy Spirit. Meanwhile, Paul’s letter to the Church at Ephesus warns against giving the devil a foothold in an area of your life. This is the context prior to the passage above. Since all people have fallen short of God’s glory, Romans 3:23, practice public confession and forgiveness so that unity within the body of Christ is restored and the Holy Spirit can conquer any roots of bitterness that linger or remain unresolved.
1. An Unswerving Belief that Jesus is the Son of God.
Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me? What I am telling you I do not say on My own authority and of My own accord; but the Father Who lives continually in Me does the ([a]His) works (His own miracles, deeds of power). 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the sake of the [very] works themselves. [If you cannot trust Me, at least let these works that I do in My Father’s name convince you.] 12 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father, John 14:10-12.
Whenever Christians give the devil a foothold, Ephesians 4:26-28, spiritual faith can be stolen as revealed in the Parable of the Sower, Matthew 13:19-23. Jesus explains that belief is preserved by planting yourself in the right environment. Psalm 1:1-3 compares this to water that gives life or as the apostle Paul states in Romans 10:17, faith comes from hearing, reflecting upon and studying the Word of God, the Bible.
2. Seizing the Moment to Provide for the Needy with the Expectation God Will Provide.
Now the day began to decline, and the Twelve came and said to Him, Dismiss the crowds and send them away, so that they may go to the neighboring hamlets and villages and the surrounding country and find lodging and get a [b]supply of provisions, for we are here in an uninhabited (barren, solitary) place. 13 But He said to them, You [yourselves] give them [food] to eat. They said, We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all this crowd, 14 For there were about 5,000 men. And [Jesus] said to His disciples, Have them [sit down] reclining in table groups (companies) of about fifty each. 15 And they did so, and made them all recline. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven and [praising God] gave thanks and asked Him to bless them [to their use]. Then He broke them and gave them to the disciples to place before the multitude. 17 And all the people ate and were satisfied. And they gathered up what remained over—twelve [[c]small hand] baskets of broken pieces, Luke 9:12-17.
Time is one of the biggest obstacles to living a radical spiritual life. Time is used like a crutch, a common excuse to fall back on when you don’t feel like doing something spiritually. Jesus’ disciples fell into this trap in the passage above, but Jesus was there to direct them in the direction of the Holy Spirit. Willing servants seize each moment that the Lord provides with the expectation God will provide everything that you need, 2 Peter 1:3-4.
3.Following the Example and Model for Overcoming Temptation, 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him]. 15 For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. 16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it], Hebrews 4:14-16.
The author of Hebrews reveals that Christians have someone who can sympathize with our weaknesses. If you study the Passion Week beginning in John 12, Jesus leans on His heavenly father in the Garden of Gethsemane. Mark 1:35-36 provides Jesus’ spiritual routine to start every day. Whenever Christians begin to follow the example and model set by Jesus to look for the way out of temptation, they are keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25.
4.Follow the Way of Righteousness, Matthew 6:33.
Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy; 5 Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle’s [strong, overcoming, soaring]! 6 The Lord executes righteousness and justice [not for me only, but] for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel, Psalm 103:7.
The beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount points to proper attitudes and motives that radical spiritual leaders adopt. The beatitudes set the tone for this famous speech which is reinforced in Matthew 6:33. As belief is solidified, and minds are convinced that God will provide, keeping in step with the Holy Spirit ushers in a radical spiritual life. The final step is merely your complete focus on hungering and thirsting for righteousness by discovering God’s will for your life, Romans 12:1-2.
Procrastination is a common default of human nature. While everyone has aspirations, dreams and goals in life, anyone who is afraid to fail will put this a hold temporarily. Once you fail to act or exercise, it’s even harder the next day to get back into living a disciplined life. Subsequently, as Eliezer is ready to return home to fulfill his mission, he refuses to wait another day, eager to act and proceed now.
Then they ate and drank, he and the men who were with him, and stayed there all night. And in the morning they arose, and he said. Send me away to my master. 55 But [Rebekah’s] brother and mother said, Let the girl stay with us a few days—at least ten; then she may go, Genesis 24:54-55.
Anyone beaming with confidence, won’t be afraid to try something new. Meanwhile, those who have experienced an extended period of failure, will be more likely to put something off, delaying the inevitable in their minds. This is where Eliezer remains mentally tough, focused on prayer and God’s blessing for his quest to find Isaac a wife.
But [the servant] said to them, Do not hinder and delay me, seeing that the Lord has caused me to go prosperously on my way. Send me away, that I may go to my master. 57 And they said, We will call the girl and ask her [what is] her desire. 58 So they called Rebekah and said to her, Will you go with this man? And she said, I will go, Genesis 24:56-58.
As I write this blog, I find myself more of the latter, delaying one major project as I’m afraid it won’t turn out like I hope and want. Perhaps, Eliezer ‘s success is more about a positive mindset, prayer and expectation that God will bless his journey. Whatever you’re currently facing in life, may you learn from Eliezer to do not delay or hinder what God has in store for your future. If you can live out Proverbs 3:5-6, God will take care of the rest.
While the apostle Paul warns first century Christians about having favorites, each person is drawn toward certain personality types. Some human beings naturally mesh, clicking as if they have been lifelong friends. Meanwhile, others struggle to find anything in common due to different gifts and talents. Subsequently, one sibling may relate better to their mother while the father leans toward more athletic and manly children.
Afterward his brother came forth, and his hand grasped Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob [supplanter]. Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them, Genesis 25:26.
According to Moses, Esau was the athletic child in Isaac’s family. Esau blossomed into a great hunter, likely with a bow and arrow. Unable to compete with his brother, Jacob appears to have stayed in the kitchen, learning to cook with his mother Rebekah. Although there is no mention of boys from the neighborhood teasing Jacob, Moses is clear that he is the first mama’s boy of the Bible.
When the boys grew up, Esau was a cunning and skilled hunter, a man of the outdoors; but Jacob was a plain and quiet man, dwelling in tents. 28 And Isaac loved [and was partial to] Esau, because he ate of Esau’s game; but Rebekah loved Jacob, Genesis 25:27-28.
If your mother is athletic or you share similar hobbies and interests, this isn’t a bad thing. As a former mama’s boy myself, my mother was an incredible woman growing up. Besides possessing the ability to be a professional bowler, my mom was content with being a housewife who eventually developed into a successful real estate agent In the end, Jacob’s mom played a role in him becoming the father of a great nation. What God began in Abraham, was brought forth through the life and children of Jacob.
Every consumer from one time or another has been a victim of false advertising. Maybe you bought something online after watching a late-night infomercial and the product never lived up to its guarantee. This disillusionment has also crossed over into biblical teaching, spoiled by self-seeking television evangelists. Subsequently, when individual’s read a promise in the Bible, demonic thoughts like “that sounds too good to be true” may enter your mind.
And the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, taking some of all his master’s treasures with him; thus he journeyed to Mesopotamia [between the Tigris and the Euphrates], to the city of Nahor [Abraham’s brother]. 11 And he made his camels to kneel down outside the city by a well of water at the time of the evening when women go out to draw water. 12 And he said, O Lord, God of my master Abraham, I pray You, cause me to meet with good success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 See, I stand here by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming to draw water, Genesis 24:10-13.
One of the teachings of Jesus that has stuck with me over the years is Matthew 7:24-27. This occurs at the end of the Sermon on the Mount. Another translation of this passage refers to being a doer of the Word. Perhaps, this message was partially designed for his disciples who may have been going through the motions spiritually. From a modern perspective, Jesus is trying to communicate faith is a way of life, not just a biblical principle.
And let it so be that the girl to whom I say, I pray you, let down your jar that I may drink, and she replies, Drink, and I will give your camels drink also—let her be the one whom You have selected and appointed and indicated for Your servant Isaac [to be a wife to him]; and by it I shall know that You have shown kindness and faithfulness to my master. 15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, out came Rebekah, who was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Nahor the brother of Abraham, with her water jar on her shoulder. 16 And the girl was very beautiful and attractive, chaste and modest, and unmarried. And she went down to the well, filled her water jar, and came up, Genesis 24:14-16.
Abraham’s servant Eliezer is given the task of finding Isaac a wife. As the executive of Abraham’s estate, he is taking this responsibility seriously. Afraid of failing, Eliezer turns to prayer in the passage above. Based upon Moses’ account of this journey, Eliezer’s prayer is specific, designed to reveal to him Isaac’s future wife. To Eliezer, prayer isn’t just a biblical principle, it’s a way of life to guide your steps daily.
Just before I graduated from the University of Delaware, I was plugged into the Christian music industry. During this five-year period, I even subscribed to CCM Magazine to stay informed about potential breakout artists. Based upon outspoken musicians like Wes King, many bands were being given bad advice like the group Plankeye. Whether this was their agents, producers or record companies, some lead singers were led astray and did not stay true to who they were and wanted to become. Or song writers fly under the radar, created the most amazing album nobody ever heard of and when forced to write a new one quickly without any inspiration from the Holy Spirit, their second project miserably failed, dropping out of sight and fading from our memories.
Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. 2 For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you. 3 Why do you [a]stare from without at the [b]very small particle that is in your brother’s eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam [c]of timber that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, Let me get the tiny particle out of your eye, when there is the beam [d]of timber in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first get the beam of timber out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the tiny particle out of your brother’s eye, Matthew 7:1-5.
Every band which plays together for more than a decade tends to evolve with time. Yet, Plankeye wasn’t sure who they wanted to become, touching 4 genres with their first 4 projects: metal, hard rock, pop rock and pop. While Plankeye was raw as a metal band, Spill, their hard rock project Commonwealth revealed their potential. The attached album, the One and Only, possesses that Cars flair which attracted me to Plankeye. Anyone can play armchair quarterback, but if Plankeye was searching for a specific genre to meet a broad audience, the songs on the One and Only album is that crossover sound. Since I’m not privy to what went on behind closed doors, I can only speculate. Nonetheless, if you like the music of the Cars, you’ll enjoy my favorite Plankeye album.
ExpressYourself4Him 