WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.860 And good morning, everybody. Good morning. We're back in the book of Genesis today, Genesis chapter 24. 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:11.279 ! We took a break last week. James preached through 1 Peter 5, a little bit of 1 Peter 5. 00:00:11.599 --> 00:00:19.080 ! But we're back in Genesis. And chapter 24, it actually turns out it's the longest chapter in Genesis. 67 verses. 00:00:19.500 --> 00:00:26.839 So we're going to go through that today. And in this chapter, we have a love story. We have a love story, a romance story. 00:00:26.839 --> 00:00:32.840 Boy meets girl. Isaac, Abraham's son, is going to meet his wife, Rebecca. 00:00:33.740 --> 00:00:40.859 Up until now, for the last several weeks, months, our focus has been on Abraham since Genesis chapter 12. 00:00:41.120 --> 00:00:47.100 But now we see Abraham is nearing the end of his life. He's an old man, blessed by God in all things. 00:00:47.679 --> 00:00:52.560 And actually, in fact, last chapter, his wife, Sarah, has just passed away. 00:00:52.560 --> 00:01:05.200 And now we're shifting our focus to the next generation, to Isaac, to his son Isaac, the one that he's waited for, the one God promised, the one he almost had to sacrifice to God. 00:01:05.600 --> 00:01:11.620 And in our passage today, we'll see God providing a wife for Isaac. 00:01:11.620 --> 00:01:20.200 And here, it happens so easily. Abraham sends his servant to go find a wife for Isaac. 00:01:20.620 --> 00:01:25.400 And everything just falls into place. The servant prays for a specific sign. 00:01:25.780 --> 00:01:31.000 And it happens immediately. The first girl he sees, she does the sign that he prayed for. 00:01:31.900 --> 00:01:34.020 Don't we sometimes wish it were that easy? 00:01:34.019 --> 00:01:42.579 Now, this passage teaches us about relationships, about marriage, and what to look for in relationships. 00:01:42.579 --> 00:01:46.199 But today, I'm not going to talk about four steps to find a wife. 00:01:46.599 --> 00:01:49.579 Some of you guys probably wish I was preaching that sermon. I see you guys in the front. 00:01:50.419 --> 00:01:55.840 But as we read the story, I want to see something bigger than that. 00:01:56.120 --> 00:01:59.859 That God's providence is extending over all this. 00:01:59.859 --> 00:02:04.640 It's not just Isaac finding a wife, but God's hand was all over it. 00:02:04.680 --> 00:02:07.359 He was guiding every detail, orchestrating it. 00:02:08.300 --> 00:02:10.400 God's providence extends over all of it. 00:02:11.199 --> 00:02:15.840 And that word providence, that might not be one that we use a lot in our vocabulary. 00:02:16.840 --> 00:02:23.079 John Piper defines providence as God's wise and purposeful sovereignty. 00:02:24.099 --> 00:02:25.800 Sovereignty means that God's in control. 00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:28.439 He is in control of everything. 00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:35.139 God's providence means that he uses his sovereignty for his good and wise purposes. 00:02:35.599 --> 00:02:41.180 And in Genesis 24, we'll see God arranging every detail so that Isaac can meet his wife, Rebecca. 00:02:42.079 --> 00:02:43.979 And God also provides for us. 00:02:44.800 --> 00:02:47.259 As missionary Hudson Taylor said, 00:02:48.079 --> 00:02:52.199 God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply. 00:02:52.939 --> 00:02:56.340 God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply. 00:02:56.340 --> 00:02:58.400 That's the assurance we have when we follow Jesus. 00:02:58.539 --> 00:02:59.599 And we're going to look at that. 00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:05.759 The joy, the privilege we have of living every aspect of our lives under the providence of God. 00:03:06.219 --> 00:03:09.800 And with that, let's stand as we read from Genesis chapter 24. 00:03:09.920 --> 00:03:13.180 I'm going to invite Alex and Gracie up to read for us. 00:03:13.840 --> 00:03:15.199 Genesis chapter 24. 00:03:15.199 --> 00:03:16.199 Okay. 00:03:18.560 --> 00:03:19.259 Are you ready? 00:03:19.339 --> 00:03:20.439 It's going to be really long. 00:03:20.539 --> 00:03:21.479 I hope it's not boring. 00:03:22.199 --> 00:03:22.439 Okay. 00:03:22.500 --> 00:03:23.819 The word is not boring at all. 00:03:23.819 --> 00:03:32.620 Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years, and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. 00:03:33.019 --> 00:03:38.079 And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all he had, 00:03:38.080 --> 00:03:44.660 put your hand under my thigh, that I may make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, 00:03:44.940 --> 00:03:50.439 that you will not take a wife for my son from daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, 00:03:50.700 --> 00:03:56.740 but will go to my country and to my kindred and to take a wife for my son Isaac. 00:03:57.120 --> 00:04:02.240 The servant said to him, perhaps a woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. 00:04:02.620 --> 00:04:06.580 Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came? 00:04:06.580 --> 00:04:11.280 Abraham said to him, see to it that you do not take my son back there. 00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:16.980 The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my kindred 00:04:16.980 --> 00:04:22.660 and who spoke to me and swore to me, to your offspring, I will give you this land. 00:04:23.040 --> 00:04:28.180 He will send his angel before you and you shall take a wife for my son from there. 00:04:28.560 --> 00:04:33.300 But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine. 00:04:33.439 --> 00:04:36.400 Only you must not take my son back here. 00:04:36.579 --> 00:04:42.819 So the servant put his hand under the thighs of Abraham, his master, and swore to him concerning this matter. 00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:49.579 Then the servant took ten of his master's camels and departed, taking all sorts of choice of gift from his master. 00:04:49.879 --> 00:04:53.899 And he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. 00:04:54.219 --> 00:04:59.959 And he made the camels knelt down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, 00:05:00.419 --> 00:05:02.939 the time when women go out to draw water. 00:05:02.939 --> 00:05:04.139 And he said, 00:05:04.139 --> 00:05:12.660 Oh Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. 00:05:13.319 --> 00:05:20.659 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 00:05:20.660 --> 00:05:26.220 Let the young woman to whom I shall say, please let down your jar that I may drink. 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:30.340 And who shall say, drink, and I will water your camels. 00:05:30.700 --> 00:05:34.500 Let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. 00:05:34.820 --> 00:05:39.480 By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master. 00:05:39.480 --> 00:05:49.740 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebecca, who was born to Bethuel, the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, 00:05:50.280 --> 00:05:52.540 came out with her water jug on her shoulder. 00:05:53.400 --> 00:05:58.460 The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known. 00:05:59.040 --> 00:06:01.939 She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. 00:06:01.939 --> 00:06:07.719 Then the servant ran to meet her and said, please give me a little water to drink from your jar. 00:06:08.120 --> 00:06:10.279 She said, drink, my Lord. 00:06:10.800 --> 00:06:14.819 And she quickly let down her jar from upon her hand and gave him a drink. 00:06:15.279 --> 00:06:22.519 When she finished giving him a drink, she said, I will draw water for your camels also until they have finished drinking. 00:06:22.980 --> 00:06:27.899 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water. 00:06:28.040 --> 00:06:30.000 And she drew for all his camels. 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:36.339 The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not. 00:06:36.819 --> 00:06:45.980 When the camels finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing half a shekel and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels and said, 00:06:46.379 --> 00:06:48.100 please tell me whose daughter you are. 00:06:48.540 --> 00:06:51.259 Is there room in your father's house for us to spend the night? 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:57.680 She said to him, I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor. 00:06:57.680 --> 00:07:03.540 She added, we have plenty of both straw and fodder and room to spend the night. 00:07:04.040 --> 00:07:10.759 The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord and said, blessed be the Lord, the son of my master Abraham, 00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:15.879 who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. 00:07:16.540 --> 00:07:21.660 As for me, the Lord has led me in the way to the house of my master's kinsmen. 00:07:21.660 --> 00:07:25.980 Then the young woman ran and told her mother's household about these things. 00:07:27.240 --> 00:07:29.660 Rebecca had a brother whose name was Laban. 00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:32.439 Laban ran out toward the man to the spring. 00:07:32.880 --> 00:07:38.680 As soon as he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister's arms and heard the words of Rebecca, his sister, 00:07:39.300 --> 00:07:40.680 thus the man spoke to me. 00:07:40.800 --> 00:07:45.680 He went to the man and behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:48.620 He said, come in, O blessed of the Lord. 00:07:48.840 --> 00:07:50.240 Why do you stand outside? 00:07:50.800 --> 00:07:53.300 For I have prepared the house and a place for the camels. 00:07:53.639 --> 00:07:58.800 So the man came to the house and unharnessed the camels and gave straw and fodder to the camels. 00:07:58.980 --> 00:08:03.199 And there was water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 00:08:03.540 --> 00:08:05.819 Then food was set before him to eat. 00:08:06.280 --> 00:08:10.899 But he said, I will not eat until I have said what I have to say. 00:08:11.280 --> 00:08:12.819 He said, speak on. 00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:17.139 So he said, I am Abraham's servant. 00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:21.899 The Lord has greatly blessed my master and he has become great. 00:08:22.219 --> 00:08:29.699 He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, camels and donkeys. 00:08:30.219 --> 00:08:34.480 And Sarah, my master's wife, bore a son to my master when she was old. 00:08:34.799 --> 00:08:37.539 And to him, he has given all that he has. 00:08:37.539 --> 00:08:45.379 My master made me swear saying, you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell. 00:08:45.679 --> 00:08:50.779 But you shall go to my father's house and to my clan and take a wife for my son. 00:08:51.079 --> 00:08:54.939 I said to my master, perhaps the woman will not follow me. 00:08:54.940 --> 00:09:01.980 But he said to me, the Lord before whom I have walked will send his angel with you and prosper your way. 00:09:02.460 --> 00:09:07.120 You shall take a wife for my son from my clan and from my father's house. 00:09:07.300 --> 00:09:10.680 Then you will be free from my oath when you come to my clan. 00:09:10.960 --> 00:09:15.020 And if they will not give her to you, you will be free from my oath. 00:09:15.019 --> 00:09:23.279 I came today to the spring and said, oh, Lord, the God of my master, Abraham, if now you are prospering the way that I go. 00:09:23.740 --> 00:09:26.319 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. 00:09:26.840 --> 00:09:33.139 Let the virgin who comes out to draw water to whom I shall say, please give me a little water from your jar to drink. 00:09:33.439 --> 00:09:38.000 And who will say to me, drink and I will draw for your camels also. 00:09:38.539 --> 00:09:41.939 Let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master's son. 00:09:41.940 --> 00:09:51.540 Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder and she went down to the spring and drew water. 00:09:51.960 --> 00:09:54.020 I said to her, please let me drink. 00:09:54.340 --> 00:10:00.200 She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder and said, drink and I will give your camels drink also. 00:10:00.580 --> 00:10:03.700 So I drank and she gave the camels drink also. 00:10:04.220 --> 00:10:06.620 Then I asked her, whose daughter are you? 00:10:06.620 --> 00:10:11.420 She said, the daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milka bore to him. 00:10:11.419 --> 00:10:15.199 So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arm. 00:10:15.439 --> 00:10:27.899 Then I bowed down my head and worshiped the Lord and blessed the Lord, the God of my master, Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master's kinsman for his son. 00:10:28.479 --> 00:10:34.259 Now then, if you're going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me. 00:10:34.259 --> 00:10:40.279 And if not, tell me that I may turn to the right hand or to the left. 00:10:40.279 --> 00:10:47.559 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, the thing has come from the Lord. 00:10:47.799 --> 00:10:50.000 We cannot speak to you bad or good. 00:10:50.659 --> 00:10:52.740 Behold, Rebekah is before you. 00:10:53.279 --> 00:10:57.399 Take her and go and let her be the wife of your master's son. 00:10:57.679 --> 00:10:59.319 As the Lord has spoken. 00:10:59.320 --> 00:11:04.820 When Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before the Lord. 00:11:05.160 --> 00:11:10.780 And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, of garments and gave them to Rebekah. 00:11:11.040 --> 00:11:14.840 He also gave her brother and her mother costly ornaments. 00:11:15.340 --> 00:11:19.600 And he and the men who were with him ate and drank and they spent the night there. 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:24.360 When they arose in the morning, he said, send me away to my master. 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:32.420 Her brother and her mother said, let the young woman remain with us a while, at least 10 days. 00:11:32.800 --> 00:11:34.320 After that, she may go. 00:11:35.060 --> 00:11:37.600 But he said to them, do not delay me. 00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:42.840 Since the Lord has prospered my way, send me away that I may go with my master. 00:11:43.899 --> 00:11:46.899 They said, let us call the young woman and ask her. 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:51.459 And they called Rebekah and said to her, will you go with this man? 00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:54.039 She said, I will go. 00:11:54.679 --> 00:12:00.360 So they sent away Rebekah, their sister and her nurse and Abraham's servant and his men. 00:12:00.559 --> 00:12:07.959 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, our sister, may you become thousands of the 10,000s. 00:12:08.059 --> 00:12:11.399 And may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him. 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:16.899 Then Rebekah and her young woman arose and rolled on the camels and followed the man. 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:20.679 Thus, the servant took Rebekah and went his way. 00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:26.100 Now Isaac had returned from Bir Lahiroid and was dwelling in the Negev. 00:12:26.740 --> 00:12:30.000 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. 00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:32.579 And he lifted up his eyes and saw. 00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:35.120 And behold, there were camels coming. 00:12:35.720 --> 00:12:37.680 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes. 00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:44.100 And when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel and said to the servant, who is that 00:12:44.100 --> 00:12:46.639 man walking in the field to meet us? 00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:49.660 The servant said, it is my master. 00:12:50.660 --> 00:12:53.340 So she took her veil and covered herself. 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:57.460 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 00:12:57.460 --> 00:13:03.379 Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah, his mother, and took Rebekah. 00:13:03.720 --> 00:13:05.440 And she became his wife. 00:13:05.800 --> 00:13:06.960 And he loved her. 00:13:07.560 --> 00:13:11.000 So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:13.639 Thank you. 00:13:13.680 --> 00:13:14.420 This is the word of the Lord. 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:15.440 Please take a seat. 00:13:17.100 --> 00:13:18.220 And God, we look to you. 00:13:18.300 --> 00:13:19.340 You are God in heaven. 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:20.600 You are God of heaven and earth. 00:13:20.900 --> 00:13:21.840 Our God is in heavens. 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:23.180 He does all that he pleases. 00:13:23.179 --> 00:13:23.279 He does all that he pleases. 00:13:23.979 --> 00:13:27.919 Pray that you will show us through your word a big view of you. 00:13:28.339 --> 00:13:31.899 And for us to see the joy it is to be in Christ. 00:13:31.959 --> 00:13:33.359 That you are for us in Christ. 00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:34.399 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:13:34.859 --> 00:13:35.059 Amen. 00:13:36.059 --> 00:13:36.459 Yeah. 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:37.459 It was a long passage. 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:38.919 Thanks for standing with us. 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:42.239 But we believe the word of God is living and active, speaks to us. 00:13:42.599 --> 00:13:45.479 And we are to devote ourselves to the public reading of scripture. 00:13:46.339 --> 00:13:48.519 And actually, I think it's a fascinating story. 00:13:48.839 --> 00:13:49.559 A love story. 00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:53.719 And we see God's hand over all the details of the story. 00:13:54.179 --> 00:14:00.679 Now, it's about Abraham's servant going out to find Isaac a wife. 00:14:01.979 --> 00:14:08.279 The chapter begins with Abraham commanding his servant to do some matchmaking for Isaac. 00:14:09.339 --> 00:14:11.339 And as we read this, I want us to observe this. 00:14:11.459 --> 00:14:16.439 That Abraham has full confidence that this mission will succeed. 00:14:16.440 --> 00:14:20.640 Abraham has full confidence in God's providence. 00:14:21.180 --> 00:14:22.860 He says in verse 7. 00:14:23.380 --> 00:14:26.520 The Lord, the God of heaven, he will send his angel before you. 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:29.780 And you shall take a wife for my son from there. 00:14:30.500 --> 00:14:34.540 Trust that God will send an angel and make this mission prosper. 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:39.440 Why does Abraham have this confidence that God will provide? 00:14:40.160 --> 00:14:43.580 First, Abraham knows who the Lord is. 00:14:43.940 --> 00:14:45.140 He's God of heaven. 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:45.960 That's what he says. 00:14:46.080 --> 00:14:48.019 The Lord, the God of heaven will do this. 00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:51.840 In verse 3, he addresses the Lord as God of heaven and earth. 00:14:52.419 --> 00:14:55.519 Abraham knows that the Lord is the one who made all of it. 00:14:55.580 --> 00:14:56.659 Who made the heavens and the earth. 00:14:56.759 --> 00:15:00.000 He's the creator and the sovereign God over heavens and the earth. 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:01.899 He holds all of this in his hands. 00:15:02.939 --> 00:15:06.299 Second, Abraham knows the Lord's promises. 00:15:06.299 --> 00:15:11.620 Because some of us sitting here might be thinking, I really need to find a wife. 00:15:11.939 --> 00:15:13.059 And maybe that's true for you. 00:15:13.839 --> 00:15:18.579 But here, Isaac absolutely, certainly needs to find a wife. 00:15:18.859 --> 00:15:23.359 And that's because God made a covenant with Abraham. 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:33.320 God bound himself in relationship to Abraham and promised to make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. 00:15:33.320 --> 00:15:35.620 He will make Abraham into a great nation. 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:40.060 And in Abraham's offspring, all the nations of the earth will be blessed. 00:15:40.300 --> 00:15:41.840 That's God's promise to Abraham. 00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:47.639 And we've learned that the promise will come through Abraham's son, Isaac. 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:51.560 So for that to happen, Isaac needs to get married. 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.920 To have children. 00:15:53.300 --> 00:15:54.180 So that he can have offspring. 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:59.480 And so Abraham reasons out that God must provide Isaac a wife. 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.940 He's bound by his covenant. 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:06.360 And that faith, that trust that God will provide, that God promised, 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:08.920 it shapes how Abraham goes about this mission. 00:16:08.919 --> 00:16:12.979 He sends out his servant with some strict requirements. 00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:14.939 Some strict non-negotiables. 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:20.639 And that's because when we trust in God's providence, then we don't have to compromise. 00:16:21.439 --> 00:16:25.939 If God promises to provide for us, we don't have to settle and do it our way, 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:28.639 as we've seen Abraham do time and time again before. 00:16:30.279 --> 00:16:33.779 First, Abraham says in verse 3, this is the first requirement. 00:16:34.439 --> 00:16:35.219 He says in verse 3, 00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:47.000 Now, problem is, they were living in the land of Canaan. 00:16:47.180 --> 00:16:48.399 They were living among Canaanites. 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:50.879 It'd be so easy to find a Canaanite wife. 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:51.820 The servant can go out. 00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:53.560 There's Canaanites everywhere. 00:16:53.680 --> 00:16:54.920 They were living in that land. 00:16:54.919 --> 00:17:00.759 But instead, Abraham tells his servant, go to my country and to my kindred. 00:17:01.459 --> 00:17:06.799 The servant needs to go back to Abraham's hometown, homeland in Mesopotamia. 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:09.379 That's over 800 kilometers away. 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:10.480 And they didn't have planes. 00:17:10.599 --> 00:17:12.279 They don't have paved roads. 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:16.159 That's at least a 20-day journey by foot, 800 kilometers. 00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:28.140 And not only that, he has to go to this place, maybe he's never even been, find one of Abraham's distant relatives, who knows what he looks like, and find a woman from that family as Isaac's wife. 00:17:28.580 --> 00:17:29.820 It's a long journey. 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:31.300 It's the harder way. 00:17:31.820 --> 00:17:33.080 So why do that? 00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:39.779 And that's because, Abraham knows, marrying a Canaanite would invite compromise. 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:42.439 He was living in Canaan. 00:17:42.619 --> 00:17:47.039 If Isaac married a Canaanite, he would merge with the surrounding culture. 00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:48.939 He would take on their customs. 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:53.759 Customs of people who didn't know God, who were committed to idolatry. 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:58.079 They would get swallowed up in their ways and forget the ways of the Lord. 00:17:58.079 --> 00:18:05.759 That this small covenant community that God made with Abraham was at risk of being swallowed up by the Canaanites, by their neighbors. 00:18:05.879 --> 00:18:15.919 And not just any neighbors, but by a people that we learned in Genesis chapter 15, who will be judged by God and cast out of the promised land. 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:19.339 The Canaanites would be judged by God and cast out. 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:32.919 And so to protect Isaac against this, to protect against this compromise, Abraham tells his servant to go all the way back to his homeland in Mesopotamia to find a wife there for Isaac. 00:18:33.959 --> 00:18:39.859 But in verse 5, the servant asks, what if the woman won't come with me? 00:18:40.139 --> 00:18:43.099 What if I go, I find someone, but she's not willing to come back with me? 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:44.319 Fair question. 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:44.960 Right? 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:48.259 Because imagine a stranger walked all over from Laos. 00:18:48.659 --> 00:18:53.019 Walked from Laos to Hong Kong and told you, hey, pack your bags. 00:18:53.359 --> 00:18:54.299 I found your spouse. 00:18:55.399 --> 00:18:56.039 I don't know photos. 00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:56.500 Don't worry. 00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:57.339 Come with me. 00:18:58.139 --> 00:18:58.319 Right? 00:18:58.399 --> 00:19:00.759 You might have a few questions for that person. 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:03.500 You might, you might not, you might ask a few things. 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:10.740 But even if that happens, even if she says no, Abraham is adamant. 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:15.200 He says, you cannot bring Isaac back to my homeland. 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:19.559 Even if she doesn't come, I know God will bring her. 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:24.059 But even if, if in the case that she doesn't, you cannot bring Isaac back. 00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:26.839 And that is also an act of faith. 00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:34.139 Abraham trusts that God promised to give Isaac's, to give him the land. 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:39.679 Along with that promise of offspring, God promised Abraham the land of Canaan. 00:19:40.419 --> 00:19:45.159 And he doesn't want Isaac to step out, leave that land, leave that promise. 00:19:45.899 --> 00:19:48.659 He also doesn't want Isaac to be tempted to look back. 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:52.679 Because living in Mesopotamia is the easier way. 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:53.959 It's the easier life. 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:59.500 Abraham, since God called him to go his whole life, he wandered around in tents. 00:19:59.600 --> 00:20:03.340 He didn't have a city, a house, a homeland that he settled in. 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:09.759 But Isaac, if he went back to Mesopotamia, he could go back and live with his relatives 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:14.420 in a city where it was prosperous, where he'd be safe and secure, not wandering around. 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:21.140 And in fact, we see in verse 10 that there was a city actually named after Abraham's relative, Nahor. 00:20:21.140 --> 00:20:28.500 He could live, Isaac could go and live in a city run whose mayor was a friend of his, was a relative. 00:20:29.360 --> 00:20:32.540 He could live an easy, secure life there. 00:20:33.600 --> 00:20:40.259 But Abraham says, no, you can't bring Isaac back because Abraham wanted Isaac to remember God's promise. 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:41.780 They will receive this land. 00:20:42.360 --> 00:20:43.240 I won't look back. 00:20:43.280 --> 00:20:47.420 I won't look back to that land from which I came as we read in Hebrews 11 a few weeks ago. 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:53.920 And so Abraham tells the servant in verse 8, hey, if she won't come back with you, that's okay. 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:55.140 You're free from your oath. 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:56.660 You're free from this obligation to me. 00:20:56.900 --> 00:20:58.680 Just do not bring Isaac back. 00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.820 He has to stay here. 00:20:59.819 --> 00:21:07.200 And so I want to ask us, where are we tempted, in fact, in our lives to compromise? 00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:13.619 Where are we tempted to settle for less, take the shortcut, the easy way, 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:20.359 to turn our backs to where God is leading us and what he's promised us? 00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:23.259 How about in relationships? 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:29.939 We know God wants us to marry someone, to be yoked, to be equally yoked to someone, 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:35.799 someone who in Abraham's, for Abraham, it was to find someone in his family, 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:41.519 for us in our spiritual family, someone who is a follower of Christ within the household of God. 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:46.839 It would be a lot easier for Isaac to marry a Canaanite. 00:21:47.139 --> 00:21:50.139 There's a lot more Canaanites around than non-Canaanites in that land. 00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:51.780 It's a long journey to Mesopotamia. 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:55.080 That same thing can compromise us. 00:21:56.820 --> 00:21:58.440 Let's trust in God's providence. 00:21:59.140 --> 00:22:01.640 If a husband or wife is what we need, God will provide. 00:22:02.100 --> 00:22:06.400 If waiting is what we need also, God provided waiting for Abraham. 00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:10.640 25 years for Isaac. 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:15.280 If not getting what we want in this life is what we need, God will provide also. 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:18.700 And so when we trust God to provide, we don't search, 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:24.500 we don't need to search for shortcuts, compromise to take hold of what he hasn't given us yet. 00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:29.640 Also, trusting God doesn't mean we sit back and do nothing. 00:22:30.840 --> 00:22:34.559 God's providence also leads us to take action, pray expectantly. 00:22:34.559 --> 00:22:37.859 So in verse 10, the servant sets off. 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:40.579 He swears to Abraham, I will do all these things. 00:22:40.619 --> 00:22:42.179 And he sets off to Mesopotamia. 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:45.859 He takes a journey of a few weeks to go to a place he doesn't know. 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:48.019 How is he going to find Isaac's wife there? 00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:50.419 How is he going to know who God has provided for Isaac? 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.619 Servant is wise. 00:22:53.099 --> 00:22:55.200 He positions himself in verse 11. 00:22:55.599 --> 00:23:00.539 He goes by the well in the evening at the time when women go out to draw water. 00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:02.059 See, he's smart enough. 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:03.920 He sets up shop where all the action is. 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:08.480 But on top of that, he's wise enough to stop and pray. 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:11.259 Because out of all the women coming out to get water, 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:15.319 how is he going to have any clue who God has prepared? 00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:16.859 He wants to know. 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.799 And so he goes and prays. 00:23:19.559 --> 00:23:21.059 And this is what he does. 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:23.779 He asks for a sign in verse 14. 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:25.000 He prays. 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:27.519 Let the young woman to whom I shall say, 00:23:27.640 --> 00:23:29.680 please let down your jar that I may drink. 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:32.380 Pretty much, I'll ask a woman to get me water. 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:35.579 And if she says, I'll give you water. 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:39.640 But also, I'm going to offer to get water for your camels also. 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:44.000 Without him asking, the woman who offers to also get water for his camels. 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:48.619 That, let her be the one that you appointed for your servant Isaac. 00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:51.539 That's the sign that she's the one. 00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:54.339 Now I want to think about this. 00:23:54.339 --> 00:23:57.439 Is the servant right to pray that, to ask for a sign? 00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:59.139 I think so. 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:02.319 He's not doing it out of fear and doubt. 00:24:02.419 --> 00:24:05.099 We see elsewhere, for example, Gideon's story, 00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:07.579 where he asks God for a sign with the fleece. 00:24:07.639 --> 00:24:09.059 Make the fleece wet, but the ground dry. 00:24:09.159 --> 00:24:11.199 Make the fleece dry, but the ground wet. 00:24:11.659 --> 00:24:14.599 But Gideon there, he's asking out of fear. 00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:18.000 Again, even after God shows him a sign. 00:24:18.959 --> 00:24:22.339 In this case, the servant wasn't trying to force God's hand 00:24:22.339 --> 00:24:25.539 or rush his timeline or doing it out of fear. 00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:28.319 He was on a journey that he knew was blessed by God, 00:24:28.399 --> 00:24:30.419 that God would send his angel before him. 00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:35.159 And he's praying for God to make clear what the next step is. 00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:37.660 And notice this. 00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:46.360 The sign that he asked for, it wasn't anything spectacular or supernatural or miraculous 00:24:46.360 --> 00:24:48.360 in the way we think about it. 00:24:49.060 --> 00:24:53.480 He didn't ask God to write her name in the sky with some clouds. 00:24:54.320 --> 00:24:54.420 Right? 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:56.300 Rebecca in the clouds. 00:24:57.300 --> 00:25:00.480 He didn't ask God to whisper her name in his ear. 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:04.860 He asked for something that was actually really ordinary. 00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:07.420 It's a specific request. 00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.279 It's specific. 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:11.079 But also a really ordinary, mundane one. 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:15.279 And actually, it's a sign of good character. 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:20.799 He's asking for a sign that this is a woman that shows hospitality. 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:25.039 A sign that she is someone who is kind and compassionate. 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:29.220 Maybe to us, it doesn't sound like much to get water for camels. 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:33.680 But keep in mind, each camel can drink 100 liters at a time. 00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:35.659 He had 10 camels. 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.159 That's a lot of work. 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.899 Could take hours. 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:43.460 It's an exhausting, inconvenient act of service for a stranger. 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:45.619 An over-the-top act of hospitality. 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.980 That's the sign he's praying for. 00:25:47.379 --> 00:25:50.799 Show me someone who's generous, hospitable, servant-hearted. 00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:55.480 He's asking God to show him someone like that for Isaac. 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:59.339 And so I think it's okay to ask for signs. 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:02.259 God sometimes answers like he did in this case. 00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:03.359 Not always. 00:26:04.639 --> 00:26:06.039 He'll guide us. 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:13.119 The regular way that God guides our decisions is by letting us know what is good through his word. 00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:21.759 He reveals to us his will through his word and by giving us wisdom, guiding us to know what is good by the spirit. 00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:25.239 The servant, we saw, was wise enough to know. 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:29.139 Hey, woman, they will come out to the well in the evening. 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:31.199 That's the time they come out to draw water. 00:26:32.459 --> 00:26:37.279 And he was wise enough to ask God to show a woman of good character for Isaac. 00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:40.599 These are traits that we know are pleasing to God. 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:42.379 These are good things to ask for. 00:26:42.380 --> 00:26:44.280 It's good to be kind and hospitable. 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:54.020 And personally for me, before I married my wife Jojo, or before I met her, I personally, just on the theme of signs, 00:26:54.140 --> 00:27:00.980 I didn't feel called to pray for a specific sign on who I should date, who I should marry. 00:27:01.800 --> 00:27:03.420 But instead my prayer was this. 00:27:04.120 --> 00:27:07.220 That God, could you show me someone who's not, not just a Christian. 00:27:07.680 --> 00:27:09.200 That's not negotiable for me. 00:27:09.600 --> 00:27:11.440 But please also prepare for me. 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:12.140 This is the sign. 00:27:12.820 --> 00:27:16.220 Prepare for me someone who is passionate for missions. 00:27:16.620 --> 00:27:18.120 Who shares that heart that I have. 00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:20.039 Who wants to make disciples of all nations. 00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:22.460 Who's willing to go if you are calling me to go. 00:27:22.600 --> 00:27:24.700 Someone who's heading in the same direction as me. 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:27.000 That we can work side by side with together. 00:27:27.840 --> 00:27:30.480 Not going in different directions and holding each other back. 00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:32.340 Someone like that. 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.100 That's the sign. 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:35.440 That's someone I want you to prepare for me. 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:37.140 That's what I prayed. 00:27:37.860 --> 00:27:42.600 And if it's to get married now or later, we trust God will provide. 00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:46.160 But in any case, won't compromise. 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:47.460 Let's not compromise. 00:27:48.380 --> 00:27:51.320 I thank God in my case, he provided as I prayed. 00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.700 I thank him for that. 00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:57.299 And anyways, back at the well in Genesis chapter 24. 00:27:57.940 --> 00:28:00.660 We see God answered the servant's prayer. 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:04.120 And as God answered, we see his fingerprints. 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:09.100 We see several fingerprints that God's hand was orchestrating this whole encounter. 00:28:09.099 --> 00:28:17.279 First, in verse 15, he says, verse 15 says, before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebecca. 00:28:18.159 --> 00:28:27.819 So as the servant was praying, as the servant was asking God for the sign, before he even finished his sentence, there, Rebecca appeared instantly. 00:28:28.639 --> 00:28:30.299 Imagine how that servant would have felt. 00:28:30.959 --> 00:28:34.500 It's like, whoa, someone came just as I was praying. 00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:35.279 Could it be her? 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:39.160 And so he runs over to her and asks her for some water. 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:41.559 Imagine he's thinking, like, could this be? 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:43.680 She's doing the things. 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:45.579 She's looking over at the camels. 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:46.599 Oh, she's asking. 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:47.379 She sees the camels. 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:49.099 And now she's asking about them. 00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:50.359 And now she's getting them water. 00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:53.680 It's exactly what I asked God for. 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:56.980 And this all happened immediately. 00:28:57.240 --> 00:29:01.920 God answered him immediately before he had even finished asking him. 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:13.440 And then in verse 22, after the camels had finished drinking, in faith that God brought him to the right woman, he puts jewelry on her. 00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:16.200 And that's when he gets more confirmation. 00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:19.600 He asked her who she is. 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:26.420 And it turns out she wasn't just any kind stranger, any kind stranger who offered water for him and the camels. 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:30.220 Turns out she was actually Abraham's grandniece. 00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:35.160 She was the distant relative that Abraham had sent him to find. 00:29:35.900 --> 00:29:36.560 And think about it. 00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:38.560 What are the odds of that happening? 00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:45.940 That the right lady from the right family shows up at the right time doing the exact right thing that he asked for. 00:29:46.800 --> 00:29:48.340 All these things lined up. 00:29:48.339 --> 00:29:51.220 It has to be the hand of God. 00:29:52.139 --> 00:29:57.079 And notice this, that none of these things are supernatural miracles. 00:29:57.819 --> 00:29:59.939 Like God parting the Red Sea. 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:02.939 Or raising Jesus from the dead. 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:04.419 Things that we don't see every day. 00:30:04.939 --> 00:30:07.839 But it's just ordinary, mundane things. 00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:12.799 And it goes to show that God is in control of the smallest details. 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:15.980 Every detail is in the ordinary, everyday things of life. 00:30:15.980 --> 00:30:24.799 Because to arrive while he's praying, she probably left home before he even thought to ask about it. 00:30:25.400 --> 00:30:28.420 God was working even before the servant asked. 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:31.220 She had that thought to go to the well. 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:36.220 And what about all the things that had to line up for her to arrive at that exact time? 00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:39.599 What if she bumped into a friend and then stopped to chat for a bit? 00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:43.339 What if she forgot her water jug at home and then had to turn back and then go get it? 00:30:43.339 --> 00:30:50.059 That God was taking care of all these variables even before the servant opened his mouth. 00:30:50.159 --> 00:30:53.199 It's just like what Jesus said in Matthew 6. 00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:57.139 Your father knows what you need before you even ask him. 00:30:59.039 --> 00:31:05.480 As John Piper said once, God is always doing 10,000 things in your life. 00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:08.000 And you may be aware of three of them. 00:31:09.160 --> 00:31:10.539 That's the wisdom of God. 00:31:11.360 --> 00:31:14.860 He's probably orchestrating 10,000 different details in your life. 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:18.720 But we only have the vision to see three of them. 00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:21.980 And that's true for Isaac and Rebecca. 00:31:22.099 --> 00:31:22.880 It's true for us. 00:31:23.599 --> 00:31:25.220 He sees all these details. 00:31:25.400 --> 00:31:26.200 He's meticulous. 00:31:26.599 --> 00:31:29.200 And his providence extends over all of it. 00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:34.480 And so what's the proper response to seeing God do all this? 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:37.120 It is to worship. 00:31:37.580 --> 00:31:39.660 That's what the servant does in verse 26. 00:31:40.279 --> 00:31:42.559 The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord. 00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:44.600 He bowed and worshiped and said, 00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:46.819 Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:51.240 who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. 00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:57.160 He sees everything God does, gives the glory to God, and bows in worship. 00:31:57.160 --> 00:32:01.940 Now, I have to admit, sometimes when God answers my prayer, 00:32:03.019 --> 00:32:06.560 I take what he gives me, but I neglect to give him the glory. 00:32:07.120 --> 00:32:08.480 Hey, I did well on this test. 00:32:09.040 --> 00:32:10.420 I got the job I prayed for. 00:32:11.060 --> 00:32:11.980 Look how smart I am. 00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:15.920 Rather than thanking God and giving him the glory. 00:32:16.820 --> 00:32:21.080 Or sometimes my mind defaults to saying, 00:32:21.380 --> 00:32:23.279 This was a coincidence. 00:32:24.540 --> 00:32:26.580 And you guys know, I used to be a stock trader. 00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:30.359 I'm trained to thinking statistics, probabilities. 00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:31.899 I want to do a statistical test. 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:33.039 Was this the hand of God? 00:32:33.579 --> 00:32:34.759 Was this a coincidence? 00:32:35.059 --> 00:32:37.179 Or did God really answer my prayers? 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:39.480 But scripture tells us, 00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:43.659 scripture reminds us that nothing is left to chance. 00:32:44.699 --> 00:32:46.579 Nothing is outside God's control. 00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:48.000 Proverbs says, 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:54.220 The lot is cast into the lap, but it's every decision is from the Lord. 00:32:55.059 --> 00:32:59.259 Every time someone throws a dice and it lands a certain way in Macau, 00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:04.079 even that is under the providence of God, under the sovereignty of God. 00:33:04.220 --> 00:33:09.039 Everything that happens, whether we label it coincidence or not, 00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:11.000 it is from God. 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:13.119 It is from God, under his providence. 00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:15.799 And we can thank him and give the glory back to him. 00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:20.680 And so, Rebecca, hearing that Abraham's servant is in town, 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:24.920 invites him over, runs back to tell her family everything that happened, 00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:26.099 because she knows this is God. 00:33:26.319 --> 00:33:28.399 And her family, they offer him food. 00:33:28.400 --> 00:33:31.280 They set a table before him, offer him food. 00:33:31.840 --> 00:33:37.100 But the servant refuses to eat until he has a chance to speak. 00:33:37.880 --> 00:33:44.220 He wants, his first priority is to explain what God has done to lead him exactly to Rebecca. 00:33:45.100 --> 00:33:48.380 And as we read, he tells the story again from the top. 00:33:49.540 --> 00:33:53.980 The story that we just went through, he tells it again from the top. 00:33:53.980 --> 00:34:01.279 And as he does, his whole focus is to highlight for us once again the Lord's providence. 00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:04.900 From the Lord blessing Abraham his entire life, 00:34:05.360 --> 00:34:11.099 to this confident assurance that the Lord would make his journey a success. 00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:18.059 To his prayer, and God answering it at the right time at the right person, providentially. 00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:23.559 And so the long and short of his retelling of the story is this, 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:26.659 that the only reason I'm standing before you guys, 00:34:26.759 --> 00:34:29.460 the only reason I'm standing here, that I met Rebecca, 00:34:29.860 --> 00:34:33.079 is because God sovereignly led me to her. 00:34:33.779 --> 00:34:35.279 God guided everything. 00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:38.659 And he puts the ball back into their court. 00:34:39.699 --> 00:34:41.759 He tells them, this is what the Lord has done. 00:34:41.900 --> 00:34:42.779 This is my testimony. 00:34:43.219 --> 00:34:44.980 This is what I've seen God do. 00:34:45.119 --> 00:34:47.219 Will you recognize his hand in it, 00:34:47.659 --> 00:34:49.619 obey him, and let her go, 00:34:49.619 --> 00:34:53.219 and go to Isaac and be his wife? 00:34:54.099 --> 00:34:55.940 And so they respond in verse 50. 00:34:56.639 --> 00:34:58.719 Rebecca's brother and dad, Laban and Bethuel, 00:34:59.719 --> 00:35:00.679 her brother and dad, 00:35:00.880 --> 00:35:01.739 they answered and said, 00:35:02.319 --> 00:35:03.500 the thing has come from the Lord. 00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:05.420 We cannot speak to you bad or good. 00:35:05.980 --> 00:35:09.279 So take her and go and let her be the wife of your master's son, 00:35:09.480 --> 00:35:10.659 as the Lord has spoken. 00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:12.259 In other words, 00:35:12.480 --> 00:35:13.839 if God has spoken it, 00:35:13.900 --> 00:35:15.039 if he's ordained it, 00:35:15.319 --> 00:35:16.480 then we can't say it otherwise. 00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:17.240 We will let her go. 00:35:18.280 --> 00:35:19.400 And upon hearing that, 00:35:19.519 --> 00:35:21.860 the servant worships the Lord again. 00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:25.199 He doesn't go and thank Laban and Bethuel. 00:35:25.860 --> 00:35:26.740 That's not what he does. 00:35:26.840 --> 00:35:28.280 He goes and worships God. 00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:31.800 The glory doesn't go to her family. 00:35:32.659 --> 00:35:33.659 They made the decision, 00:35:34.340 --> 00:35:35.639 but the glory goes to God. 00:35:36.480 --> 00:35:37.639 He's the one who made sure 00:35:37.639 --> 00:35:40.599 that the servant's journey was successful. 00:35:41.019 --> 00:35:42.579 And even cleared that last hurdle 00:35:42.579 --> 00:35:45.380 of getting Rebecca's family to give permission. 00:35:45.380 --> 00:35:49.820 And they say they let Rebecca go. 00:35:50.200 --> 00:35:50.920 The next day, 00:35:51.700 --> 00:35:53.220 the servant prepares to leave. 00:35:54.079 --> 00:35:55.180 But they change their mind. 00:35:56.539 --> 00:35:57.380 In verse 55, 00:35:58.500 --> 00:35:58.800 they say, 00:35:58.900 --> 00:36:01.440 hey, let the young woman remain with us a while. 00:36:01.619 --> 00:36:03.320 At least 10 days after that, 00:36:03.380 --> 00:36:03.980 she may go. 00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:06.200 The servant's set on this mission. 00:36:07.099 --> 00:36:07.519 He says, 00:36:07.599 --> 00:36:08.220 don't delay me. 00:36:09.360 --> 00:36:10.539 The Lord has passed my way. 00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:11.200 Don't delay me. 00:36:11.260 --> 00:36:12.079 She has to go. 00:36:12.599 --> 00:36:14.019 This is what God wants. 00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:16.119 And so they call Rebecca over 00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:17.320 to resolve this, 00:36:17.579 --> 00:36:19.039 to resolve this conflict. 00:36:19.259 --> 00:36:20.559 They ask her in verse 58. 00:36:20.699 --> 00:36:20.920 She'll, 00:36:21.000 --> 00:36:22.039 she'll be the one that breaks the tie. 00:36:22.759 --> 00:36:24.059 Will you go with this man? 00:36:24.659 --> 00:36:27.159 Are you willing to go with him? 00:36:28.039 --> 00:36:29.340 And she settles it 00:36:29.340 --> 00:36:30.900 with just a simple answer. 00:36:31.539 --> 00:36:32.300 I will go. 00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:34.119 I will go. 00:36:35.119 --> 00:36:37.360 Think about the faith that this took. 00:36:38.239 --> 00:36:40.780 Rebecca never met Isaac. 00:36:40.780 --> 00:36:42.480 She's never texted him. 00:36:42.880 --> 00:36:43.940 She doesn't have a photo. 00:36:44.620 --> 00:36:46.260 She's leaving her family, 00:36:46.380 --> 00:36:46.860 her home, 00:36:46.960 --> 00:36:48.220 all that she's ever known, 00:36:48.660 --> 00:36:51.160 following a stranger she just met the day before 00:36:51.160 --> 00:36:52.620 to a foreign land, 00:36:52.820 --> 00:36:53.880 to marry a man. 00:36:54.880 --> 00:36:55.080 Yeah, 00:36:55.140 --> 00:36:56.960 she has no idea who he is. 00:36:57.960 --> 00:37:00.920 Purely because she saw God work. 00:37:01.920 --> 00:37:03.300 She saw God's hand, 00:37:03.420 --> 00:37:04.920 and she believes his promise. 00:37:04.920 --> 00:37:07.099 As we read this, 00:37:07.420 --> 00:37:09.119 does this remind you of someone else 00:37:09.119 --> 00:37:11.200 who was called to leave his country 00:37:11.200 --> 00:37:13.200 and his father's land and go? 00:37:13.440 --> 00:37:15.300 Who else believed God's promise 00:37:15.300 --> 00:37:16.500 and stepped out in faith? 00:37:17.800 --> 00:37:19.300 Rebecca sounds a lot like Abraham. 00:37:20.079 --> 00:37:22.119 Rebecca trusted the providence of God 00:37:22.119 --> 00:37:23.340 just like Abraham did 00:37:23.340 --> 00:37:25.960 and followed the footsteps of his faith. 00:37:26.720 --> 00:37:27.320 And so they go. 00:37:28.119 --> 00:37:29.960 Rebecca goes with the servant 00:37:29.960 --> 00:37:31.000 back to Canaan, 00:37:31.659 --> 00:37:33.200 and that's where we get this final scene. 00:37:33.199 --> 00:37:34.259 It's romantic. 00:37:34.539 --> 00:37:36.659 It almost reminds me of a K-drama 00:37:36.659 --> 00:37:38.639 before it cuts to that closing song 00:37:38.639 --> 00:37:39.719 on a cliffhanger. 00:37:40.579 --> 00:37:42.379 Isaac was out in the field. 00:37:43.019 --> 00:37:43.679 He's meditating. 00:37:43.899 --> 00:37:44.460 He looks up, 00:37:45.219 --> 00:37:46.659 and then he sees camels. 00:37:46.779 --> 00:37:47.399 He sees Rebecca. 00:37:48.119 --> 00:37:49.239 At that exact same moment, 00:37:49.659 --> 00:37:50.439 she looks over. 00:37:51.119 --> 00:37:51.980 She sees Isaac. 00:37:52.899 --> 00:37:53.739 Their eyes meet, 00:37:54.179 --> 00:37:55.779 and then the song begins, 00:37:55.859 --> 00:37:56.879 and it cuts in the cliffhanger. 00:37:57.379 --> 00:37:59.539 That's the end to this beautiful love story. 00:37:59.599 --> 00:38:00.460 That's the end of the episode. 00:38:01.299 --> 00:38:02.339 It's a match made in heaven. 00:38:02.340 --> 00:38:03.880 It's a match made in heaven. 00:38:04.740 --> 00:38:05.740 This love story 00:38:05.740 --> 00:38:08.840 is a display of the providence of God. 00:38:09.660 --> 00:38:10.480 That's how it ends, 00:38:10.579 --> 00:38:11.780 and Isaac was comforted 00:38:12.340 --> 00:38:13.920 after the death of Sarah. 00:38:15.380 --> 00:38:16.880 Now, that's the story. 00:38:17.620 --> 00:38:19.579 What does it have to do with us? 00:38:19.720 --> 00:38:22.200 What does God's providence mean for us? 00:38:23.079 --> 00:38:25.480 And I'd like to point our attention back 00:38:25.480 --> 00:38:28.460 to something that we've sort of taken for granted 00:38:28.460 --> 00:38:32.360 when it comes to thinking about God's sovereignty 00:38:32.360 --> 00:38:35.840 and how his sovereignty relates to us. 00:38:37.000 --> 00:38:37.119 Okay? 00:38:37.240 --> 00:38:38.260 Throughout this whole story, 00:38:38.400 --> 00:38:40.900 we saw that God is clearly in control. 00:38:41.019 --> 00:38:42.860 He's orchestrating all the details 00:38:42.860 --> 00:38:43.780 behind the scenes, 00:38:44.179 --> 00:38:47.119 and we say that God is sovereign. 00:38:47.240 --> 00:38:48.780 He has absolute control 00:38:48.780 --> 00:38:50.360 over everything that happens. 00:38:50.740 --> 00:38:52.240 As Psalm 115 says, 00:38:52.240 --> 00:38:53.559 our God is in the heavens. 00:38:54.159 --> 00:38:55.639 He does all that he pleases. 00:38:55.639 --> 00:38:58.440 That's his sovereignty. 00:38:59.179 --> 00:39:01.819 But let's ask a question. 00:39:02.920 --> 00:39:06.679 Why is God's sovereignty good news for us? 00:39:06.879 --> 00:39:08.199 We know God is in control. 00:39:08.319 --> 00:39:08.839 That's great. 00:39:09.819 --> 00:39:13.099 But why is that comforting for us? 00:39:13.299 --> 00:39:14.219 What's the connection? 00:39:15.460 --> 00:39:18.339 Because if we stop and think about it, 00:39:19.259 --> 00:39:22.980 God's sovereignty could be terrifying to us. 00:39:22.980 --> 00:39:24.639 It could be terrifying. 00:39:25.579 --> 00:39:26.079 For example, 00:39:26.800 --> 00:39:27.820 if you went to Satan 00:39:27.820 --> 00:39:29.360 and you told him, 00:39:30.199 --> 00:39:31.260 hey, God is sovereign 00:39:31.260 --> 00:39:33.940 and he has a plan for you. 00:39:34.760 --> 00:39:36.480 He's in control of everything. 00:39:37.260 --> 00:39:38.539 Nothing escapes his control. 00:39:39.940 --> 00:39:42.940 That is the worst possible news Satan can hear. 00:39:44.059 --> 00:39:46.840 Because he has made the almighty God his enemy. 00:39:46.840 --> 00:39:51.380 And God is sovereignly against him. 00:39:52.780 --> 00:39:53.880 That's true for Satan. 00:39:54.539 --> 00:39:56.800 And it's also true for us, 00:39:57.019 --> 00:40:00.000 for sinners who have rebelled against the holy God. 00:40:00.940 --> 00:40:02.180 It's true for us too. 00:40:03.400 --> 00:40:05.440 But when we think about God's sovereignty, 00:40:05.620 --> 00:40:06.160 God's plan, 00:40:06.260 --> 00:40:09.860 we often expect that God is on our side. 00:40:09.860 --> 00:40:13.360 And why are we not afraid? 00:40:14.440 --> 00:40:17.640 How can we listen to a story about God's sovereignty 00:40:17.640 --> 00:40:19.960 and be comforted about it? 00:40:20.360 --> 00:40:23.019 How can we celebrate God's sovereignty, 00:40:23.220 --> 00:40:24.960 that God is sovereign over us? 00:40:25.920 --> 00:40:27.760 And this is where God's sovereignty 00:40:27.760 --> 00:40:30.559 becomes God's providence. 00:40:31.220 --> 00:40:34.320 We have hope because God is not just, 00:40:35.320 --> 00:40:37.200 is for us. 00:40:37.199 --> 00:40:38.699 God is for us, 00:40:38.799 --> 00:40:39.819 not against us. 00:40:40.799 --> 00:40:44.960 His sovereignty is exercised for our good, 00:40:45.480 --> 00:40:47.460 for his glory. 00:40:47.980 --> 00:40:49.519 That he is not just sovereign, 00:40:50.000 --> 00:40:52.159 but he is sovereignly for us. 00:40:52.799 --> 00:40:54.179 That's our hope and comfort. 00:40:54.939 --> 00:40:56.899 And we have this hope 00:40:56.899 --> 00:41:00.259 because God made a covenant with us. 00:41:00.599 --> 00:41:03.000 Just as God made a covenant with Abraham 00:41:03.000 --> 00:41:05.059 and Abraham had confidence, 00:41:05.059 --> 00:41:07.139 the Lord will be with me 00:41:07.139 --> 00:41:10.139 and bless the servant on the journey. 00:41:10.799 --> 00:41:12.059 We have confidence 00:41:12.059 --> 00:41:14.619 because God made a covenant with us 00:41:14.619 --> 00:41:15.759 through his son, Jesus. 00:41:16.519 --> 00:41:18.259 That Jesus went to the cross 00:41:18.259 --> 00:41:21.559 and took the wrath of God upon himself, 00:41:21.880 --> 00:41:23.279 dying in our place 00:41:23.279 --> 00:41:25.360 so that God is no longer our enemy. 00:41:25.880 --> 00:41:27.380 And he rose from the dead. 00:41:28.219 --> 00:41:29.940 Through him, through Jesus, 00:41:30.059 --> 00:41:32.480 we can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 00:41:32.480 --> 00:41:34.760 Not by anything that we do, 00:41:35.119 --> 00:41:37.139 but only if we put our faith in him. 00:41:37.940 --> 00:41:38.940 Because of Jesus, 00:41:39.099 --> 00:41:40.400 we have God's promise 00:41:40.400 --> 00:41:42.199 that for those who love him, 00:41:42.280 --> 00:41:44.019 all things work together for good 00:41:44.019 --> 00:41:46.539 for those who are called according to his purpose. 00:41:47.260 --> 00:41:48.639 That's the only reason 00:41:48.639 --> 00:41:50.460 we can read a chapter like this 00:41:50.460 --> 00:41:53.559 and be comforted rather than terrified. 00:41:54.139 --> 00:41:55.619 That because of Jesus, 00:41:56.039 --> 00:41:57.659 God is not merely sovereign, 00:41:58.099 --> 00:42:00.240 but he is sovereignly for you. 00:42:00.239 --> 00:42:02.759 He is sovereignly on your side. 00:42:03.219 --> 00:42:06.239 He is, just as he was covenantally committed 00:42:06.759 --> 00:42:08.159 to finding Isaac a wife, 00:42:08.659 --> 00:42:11.659 he is covenantally committed to your good 00:42:11.659 --> 00:42:13.179 for his glory 00:42:13.179 --> 00:42:16.000 because you are united with Christ. 00:42:16.919 --> 00:42:20.000 And our lives are not just left to chance 00:42:20.000 --> 00:42:22.259 or luck or coincidence. 00:42:23.099 --> 00:42:26.039 The same God who orchestrated 800 kilometers 00:42:26.039 --> 00:42:29.099 walking to bring the servant and Rebecca 00:42:29.099 --> 00:42:30.639 to the well at the exact same time, 00:42:30.920 --> 00:42:31.699 the exact second, 00:42:32.420 --> 00:42:33.659 that same God, 00:42:34.079 --> 00:42:35.279 he knows what you need 00:42:35.279 --> 00:42:36.779 before you even ask him. 00:42:37.960 --> 00:42:39.519 He might not give you everything you want, 00:42:39.619 --> 00:42:40.699 but he knows what you need. 00:42:40.980 --> 00:42:42.339 He knows what is best for you. 00:42:42.380 --> 00:42:43.799 He knows the 10,000 things 00:42:43.799 --> 00:42:45.380 when we only see three. 00:42:45.839 --> 00:42:48.819 And he is orchestrating our lives right now 00:42:48.819 --> 00:42:49.579 for our good, 00:42:49.679 --> 00:42:50.480 for his glory. 00:42:50.480 --> 00:42:53.240 So if there's one thing you can remember today, 00:42:53.340 --> 00:42:54.219 remember this. 00:42:54.599 --> 00:42:55.940 God is not just sovereign. 00:42:56.059 --> 00:42:57.840 He's not just God on high and in control, 00:42:58.039 --> 00:43:00.280 but he is sovereignly for you 00:43:00.280 --> 00:43:02.340 if you are in Christ, 00:43:02.539 --> 00:43:05.000 if you believe in Christ. 00:43:06.240 --> 00:43:07.599 And so in light of this, 00:43:07.940 --> 00:43:08.820 how should we live? 00:43:09.840 --> 00:43:11.380 I'll leave us with three quick things 00:43:11.380 --> 00:43:13.940 that we see from this passage. 00:43:14.599 --> 00:43:15.039 First, 00:43:15.280 --> 00:43:16.320 we fight compromise 00:43:16.320 --> 00:43:19.079 because if the sovereign God is for us, 00:43:19.599 --> 00:43:21.559 who can be against us? 00:43:21.860 --> 00:43:23.360 We don't need to take shortcuts 00:43:23.360 --> 00:43:24.639 in our relationships. 00:43:24.980 --> 00:43:26.000 We don't have to compromise 00:43:26.000 --> 00:43:27.820 our integrity for that promotion. 00:43:28.200 --> 00:43:29.380 We don't have to compromise 00:43:29.380 --> 00:43:30.360 our time with God 00:43:30.360 --> 00:43:31.679 to study for that test. 00:43:32.300 --> 00:43:34.179 God's providence prevents compromise. 00:43:34.900 --> 00:43:35.800 Let's do it God's way. 00:43:36.720 --> 00:43:37.059 And second, 00:43:37.320 --> 00:43:38.260 we pray to him 00:43:38.260 --> 00:43:39.340 and we praise him. 00:43:40.079 --> 00:43:42.300 We make our requests known to God, 00:43:42.300 --> 00:43:44.400 cast all our anxiety upon him 00:43:44.400 --> 00:43:45.460 because he cares for us. 00:43:46.000 --> 00:43:47.080 He knows what we need 00:43:47.080 --> 00:43:48.560 before we even ask. 00:43:49.320 --> 00:43:51.220 And whenever God answers 00:43:51.220 --> 00:43:51.920 in big things, 00:43:52.000 --> 00:43:52.480 small things, 00:43:52.600 --> 00:43:53.760 everyday coincidence, 00:43:53.980 --> 00:43:55.060 if you want to use that word, 00:43:55.260 --> 00:43:56.160 don't just give the glory 00:43:56.160 --> 00:43:57.300 to random chance and luck. 00:43:57.380 --> 00:43:59.160 It's all under his providence. 00:43:59.360 --> 00:44:00.060 Bow before him, 00:44:00.440 --> 00:44:01.140 give him the glory. 00:44:02.680 --> 00:44:03.120 Finally, 00:44:03.300 --> 00:44:04.240 we step out in faith. 00:44:05.880 --> 00:44:06.980 Stepping out in faith 00:44:06.980 --> 00:44:08.519 for Rebecca, 00:44:08.640 --> 00:44:11.280 it meant 800 kilometers of walking 00:44:11.280 --> 00:44:12.340 to meet a stranger. 00:44:13.740 --> 00:44:14.160 But today, 00:44:14.360 --> 00:44:15.460 stepping out for faith for us 00:44:15.460 --> 00:44:16.860 could mean trusting God 00:44:16.860 --> 00:44:17.720 with our children 00:44:17.720 --> 00:44:18.740 and for their future. 00:44:19.600 --> 00:44:20.360 It could be believing 00:44:20.360 --> 00:44:21.740 that God orchestrates 00:44:21.740 --> 00:44:24.200 just as he's sovereign 00:44:24.200 --> 00:44:25.080 at the well, 00:44:26.220 --> 00:44:26.980 he's sovereign over 00:44:26.980 --> 00:44:28.260 our hospital visits too. 00:44:29.220 --> 00:44:30.519 He's sovereign over our family, 00:44:31.060 --> 00:44:31.760 over our life. 00:44:32.700 --> 00:44:33.940 Have the faith of Rebecca. 00:44:34.300 --> 00:44:34.900 She didn't know 00:44:34.900 --> 00:44:35.720 what the future held, 00:44:36.220 --> 00:44:37.460 but she knew the God 00:44:37.460 --> 00:44:38.580 who held the future. 00:44:38.579 --> 00:44:39.980 And so she could say, 00:44:40.299 --> 00:44:41.219 I will go. 00:44:42.539 --> 00:44:43.659 And I shared that quote 00:44:43.659 --> 00:44:44.819 from Hudson Taylor earlier, 00:44:45.239 --> 00:44:46.819 that God's work done 00:44:46.819 --> 00:44:47.619 in God's way 00:44:47.619 --> 00:44:49.480 will never lack God's supply. 00:44:52.779 --> 00:44:54.380 It'll never lack God's supply. 00:44:54.799 --> 00:44:56.539 We saw that in Genesis 24. 00:44:57.119 --> 00:44:57.599 Abraham, 00:44:58.099 --> 00:44:59.099 he did it God's way. 00:44:59.239 --> 00:45:00.299 The servant did it God's way. 00:45:00.360 --> 00:45:01.179 We saw before, 00:45:02.139 --> 00:45:02.880 he compromised 00:45:02.880 --> 00:45:03.639 and it didn't work. 00:45:04.379 --> 00:45:05.920 But in this chapter, 00:45:06.059 --> 00:45:06.699 we see him 00:45:06.699 --> 00:45:08.980 trusting his life 00:45:08.980 --> 00:45:10.259 to the sovereign God. 00:45:11.019 --> 00:45:11.739 And God answered, 00:45:11.920 --> 00:45:13.420 arranging every single detail, 00:45:13.619 --> 00:45:14.460 every single thing 00:45:14.460 --> 00:45:15.619 down to the very second. 00:45:16.659 --> 00:45:18.699 And if we belong to Jesus, 00:45:18.819 --> 00:45:20.219 if we are in Christ, 00:45:20.319 --> 00:45:21.779 he will do the same for us. 00:45:22.379 --> 00:45:23.239 So let's trust him, 00:45:23.799 --> 00:45:24.719 refuse to compromise, 00:45:25.279 --> 00:45:26.359 and do it God's way. 00:45:27.400 --> 00:45:28.039 Let's pray. 00:45:28.039 --> 00:45:28.099 Amen. 00:45:28.099 --> 00:45:28.099 00:45:28.099 --> 00:45:28.099 00:45:28.099 --> 00:45:28.099 00:45:33.639 --> 00:45:34.779 God, we bow before you 00:45:34.779 --> 00:45:36.119 and give you glory. 00:45:38.259 --> 00:45:39.099 I remember, 00:45:39.299 --> 00:45:40.819 we read earlier in Psalm 8, 00:45:42.019 --> 00:45:42.920 what is man 00:45:42.920 --> 00:45:44.420 that you're mindful of us, 00:45:44.480 --> 00:45:45.099 the son of man 00:45:45.099 --> 00:45:46.019 that you care for us. 00:45:46.599 --> 00:45:48.440 We are on earth. 00:45:48.539 --> 00:45:49.259 You are in heaven. 00:45:51.579 --> 00:45:52.940 What right do we have 00:45:52.940 --> 00:45:53.960 to come before you 00:45:53.960 --> 00:45:55.500 and ask you anything 00:45:55.500 --> 00:45:56.879 and pray? 00:45:58.179 --> 00:45:59.119 God, we thank you 00:45:59.119 --> 00:46:00.559 that you are for us, 00:46:00.619 --> 00:46:01.579 that you love us, 00:46:01.579 --> 00:46:03.659 that we have boldness, 00:46:03.799 --> 00:46:04.960 access with confidence 00:46:04.960 --> 00:46:05.880 through our faith in you, 00:46:05.920 --> 00:46:06.940 and we can bow our knees 00:46:06.940 --> 00:46:07.500 before you 00:46:07.500 --> 00:46:09.059 and make our request 00:46:09.059 --> 00:46:09.579 known to you. 00:46:09.699 --> 00:46:10.299 Thank you, God, 00:46:10.340 --> 00:46:11.239 that you care for us, 00:46:11.659 --> 00:46:13.420 that you have bound yourself 00:46:13.420 --> 00:46:14.480 through the blood of Jesus 00:46:14.480 --> 00:46:16.440 to glorify your name 00:46:16.440 --> 00:46:17.599 in doing us good. 00:46:19.799 --> 00:46:20.960 God, we pray that 00:46:20.960 --> 00:46:23.679 you strengthen our faith. 00:46:24.360 --> 00:46:25.380 We believe in you. 00:46:25.500 --> 00:46:26.380 Help our unbelief. 00:46:26.380 --> 00:46:27.980 Help us when we waver. 00:46:27.980 --> 00:46:30.719 Help us to cast 00:46:30.719 --> 00:46:32.079 all our anxieties on you 00:46:32.079 --> 00:46:33.699 because you care for us. 00:46:34.699 --> 00:46:35.280 Thank you. 00:46:35.360 --> 00:46:35.940 We have this hope 00:46:35.940 --> 00:46:36.519 and assurance 00:46:36.519 --> 00:46:39.679 because of the cross, 00:46:39.800 --> 00:46:40.579 because of your son. 00:46:41.820 --> 00:46:42.800 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:46:43.320 --> 00:46:43.519 Amen.