Genesis 24:62-67 God exalts the humble so that they may make better servants
Genesis 24:62-67 God exalts the humble so that they may make better servants
Now Isaac had come from going to Beer-lahai-roi; for he was living in the Negev. 63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening; and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, camels were coming. 64 Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from the camel. 65 She said to the servant, “Who is that man walking in the field to meet us?” And the servant said, “He is my master.” Then she took her veil and covered herself. 66 The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and he took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her; thus Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
Background
In this section, Isaac is presented as the master and successor of Abraham just as Rebekah is seen as the successor of Sarah. Their elevation comes at the heels of their humility and obedience to their custodians. In today’s devotion, we learn that God exalts the humble so that in their elevation, they may make better servants.
Observation
Now Isaac had come from going to Beer-lahai-roi; for he was living in the Negev.
Apparently, Abraham has moved to Negev for it has been four years since Sarah’s death. At the time of the servant’s return, Isaac is up and roaming about the fields (meditating). The text describes Isaac and Rebekah’s first meeting: when Rebekah first catches sight of Isaac (lifted up her eyes), she dismounts to show respect to her would-be husband. Rebekah’s customary act of veiling herself symbolises that she is Isaac’s bride.
And the servant said, “He is my master.”
Rebekah’s question to the servant gives occasion to reveal the leadership that has shifted from Abraham to Isaac: And the servant said, “He is my master.” For reasons unknown to the reader, the servant now reports to Isaac instead of Abraham. Perhaps, Abraham is incapacitated and has decided to leave the running of the household to his son.
Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent.
As Isaac is considered the new master and heir of Abraham’s household, so Rebekah enters into Sarah’s role and becomes the leading woman in the patriarchal community: Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent. And marriage followed shortly with Rebekah filling a void in Isaac’s life: thus Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
Truth
God always gives the best to those who leave the choice with Him.
Abraham does not concede to the lack of a suitable bride for his son in Canaan. For that reason, Abraham puts his servant under oath and sends him to his relatives. While Abraham recognises the difficulty of the mission, he stands steadfast on the criteria: godliness and single-minded vision for God’s kingdom. Apart from the two virtues, Abraham and Isaac has no other criteria preferring to leave the choice with God. Surprisingly, virginity and beauty are not part of the “must haves”. As we know it, the author perceives Rebekah as the girl was very beautiful, a virgin and exceedingly hospitable (see Genesis 24:16, 20). Here, we learn that if God’s people will leave their choices with God, He will certainly provide the best for them. Particularly, in the choice of spouse, career, and home town (migration), we will benefit greatly if we leave the decisions with Him.
In Abraham’s story, we learn that God always has a specific plan when it comes to marriage, vocation and where we should settle in. The reason being: these decisions affect our life’s destiny and calling. In matters that are more mundane: diet, and financial planning etc, God has given us guiding principles to follow.
Having said, how do we understand God’s perfect plan and walk in it? Firstly, in matters that pertain to principles and truth, we must not compromise but stand with God. In the same breath, we must be prepared to let go of features that are less important in preference of the core criteria. Having established our mind-set, our soul becomes receptive to God’s wonderful plans and embrace them when the time comes. The apostle Paul says,
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
When it comes to making important decisions, the believer’s mind-set must not be conformed to the pattern of this world. If believers want to experience the perfect will of God: a healthy church, a good marriage, and a fulfilling career and a perfect life, they must first renew their minds according to God’s scheme of things. Many expect God to hand them the perfect spouse when they being grotesquely imperfect themselves have been looking in all the wrong places. For those who dare leave their important decisions with God, the angels are at work to do more than all we ask or imagine (see Ephesians 3:20).
God exalts the humble so that they may make better servants.
The sudden elevation of Isaac and Rebekah to Father and Mother of the nations are perhaps what dreams are made of. To begin with, both Isaac and Rebekah are observed in their respective context as humble and exceedingly subservient. Rebekah offers to water the camels even in the presence of male servants who are more apt for the task. And she treats them as guests regardless of their status. Isaac, at the time when Abraham dispatches the entourage to the city of Nahor is subservient even to the servant who is described as the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned (see Genesis 24:2). Isaac defers to the servant even in matters of great importance to him because he is his custodian.
Why does God exalt a man? So that he may selflessly serve those who has need and rule over them with wisdom and justice. Here, we learn an important lesson, that God exalts those who are humble and obedient to their overseers. Humility and obedience is highly prized by virtue of the fact they are the very glory of God (see John 17:4-5). The Father in seeing Christ’s humility and obedience resurrects Him giving Him a name above all names. Secondly, leadership is primarily about servitude. Jesus says, “the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.” Luke 22:26. Unless, he is one who serves, there is no cause for exaltation. Again Jesus says, “and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:27-28.
Nevertheless, the tendency of man is to exalt himself and to lord over others. The psalmist says concerning the wicked, “In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” Psalms 10:4. The humble instead focuses on the tasks at hand being faithful in it so that he may be a blessing and please the One who sends him.
Application
Are you in the midst of making an important choice concerning your career, relationship or investment? If Christ is in your place, what will He do? Believe that God has gotten you in the palm of His hands and is guiding you along His perfect plan. Emotions of elation and fear interferes with your spiritual intuition giving rise to confusion and anxiety. Therefore, by putting aside all unbelief, rejoice that in leaving your decision with God, you will come to experience life like never before. When you set your heart aright, it is not possible to pass up on God’s perfect will.
Are you secretly hoping for a more prominent position in your organisation? If you are, what are your motivations? The eyes of God are moving to and fro the earth seeking the humble so that He may support and exalt them (see 2 Chronicles 16:9). For those who aspire for higher office so that they may make better servants, God introduces challenges into their lives so that they may be prepped for prime time. Therefore, rejoice and remain faithful in whatever circumstances, and He will exalt you.
Dear Lord, I defer to you the important decisions that concern my relationship, career and ____________. I release my fixation on answers and solutions and trust in your providence over my life. I will remain faithful in attending to my responsibilities with diligence and passion. I thank you for using me in my current capacity. Exalt me in your time so that I may make a better servant. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.