Genesis 24:10-20 Hospitality is the touchstone of righteousness
Genesis 24:10-20
Then the servant took ten camels from the camels of his master, and set out with a variety of good things of his master’s in his hand; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. 11 He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water. 12 He said, “O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I am standing by the spring, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water; 14 now may it be that the girl to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar so that I may drink,’ and who answers, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also’—may she be the one whom You have appointed for Your servant Isaac; and by this I will know that You have shown lovingkindness to my master.”
15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor, came out with her jar on her shoulder. 16 The girl was very beautiful, a virgin, and no man had had relations with her; and she went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. 17 Then the servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please let me drink a little water from your jar.” 18 She said, “Drink, my lord”; and she quickly lowered her jar to her hand, and gave him a drink. 19 Now when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw also for your camels until they have finished drinking.” 20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, and ran back to the well to draw, and she drew for all his camels.
Background
Abraham sets down two uncompromising criteria for the selection of his son’s wife: she must be of semitic descent and she must be willing to migrate to Canaan. In other words, she must be a godly woman and one who is willing to join Isaac in the vision of fulfilling God’s promise on earth. In today’s devotion, we learn that hospitality is the touchstone of righteousness… Which is why the servant devices such a stiff test for Rebekah. At the same time, we learn that one do not need to know the specifics in order to do God’s will, but a right heart will do.
Observation
Then the servant took ten camels from the camels of his master, and set out…
Compelled by the vow, and with the entourage of ten camels and large gifts, the servant takes off towards the city of Nahor. In this era, camels are rare, possessed only by the very rich. And bethrothal is no small thing, and must be graced by exquisite gifts to the bride’s family. Having no specific instructions as to where he should begin, the servant stations himself at a time and place that is most appropriate: outside the city by the well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water. Even in the absence of specific directions, the servant trusts that his steps are directed by God. The psalmist says, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” Psalms 37:23.
O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today…
The servant, being confident of divine providence takes the initiative to identify the chosen bride through a test. The servant devices a character test of hospitality to determine the woman’s fitness to marry into the lineage of faith. Indeed, hospitality is the touchstone of righteousness over and above beauty and virginity. For the servant intends not to set the latter qualities as determinants over the former. Nevertheless, the test is a tall order since it will require a lot more than common civility to offer to water 10 thirsty camels unprompted. It is no small task as each camel typically drinks 100 litres of water.
She said, “Drink, my lord” … “I will draw also for your camels until they have finished drinking.”
Indeed, God’s providence is evident through angelic assistance. While the servant is still speaking the prayer, he notices Rebekah going to the spring to fill her jar and coming up. The servant eagerly runs to the woman for a drink. Upon the servant’s request for water, Rebekah quickly let down her jar and volunteers to water the camels until they have finished drinking (have enough to drink). Her unprompted execution is full of charity and cheerfulness: “So she quickly emptied her jar …, and ran back to the well to draw, and she drew for all his camels.”
Truth
The choice of spouse affects one’s destiny and hence his eternal reward
In Christendom, godliness and vision are two indispensable criteria when seeking a prospective spouse. Abraham and his son have no other criteria for Isaac’s wife apart from godliness (she must be of semitic descent) and the vision to fulfil God’s promise on earth (she must be willing to migrate to Canaan). Concerning this very important matter, both father and son have resolved within themselves other than the said criteria, to leave the choice with God. Many, when seeking a spouse offer up to God a myriad of criteria other than godliness and vision for God’s kingdom. They desire beauty, ability, faithfulness to the relationship, chemistry, wealth and lastly, “moderate” godliness as opposed to single-minded godliness.
A person’s journey towards righteousness is invariably affected by the spouse’s faith and character. For this reason, God has determined that Abraham’s heir will come from none other than Sarah. Godliness and having a kingdom vision are linked just as Christ and the cross. A Christ-like person will naturally possess vision to disciple and to make the world a godly place. Jesus says that whoever does not count the cost and adopt the vision of the cross cannot be His disciple (see Luke 14:27). Thus, it is challenging for two persons with contrasting life visions and lifestyles to walk together. The apostle Paul warns believers not to be yoked with those of differing moral and spiritual convictions (2 Corinthians 6:14). He implies that if one cannot find a like-minded spouse, it is better not to marry.
One who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided. 1 Corinthians 7:33-34
The choice of spouse is an important decision because it affects the fulfilment of one’s destiny and hence, his eternal glory. Having said, it also affects one’s descendants for good or for evil.
Hospitality is the touchstone of righteousness
A hospitable person serves by putting the interests of others before his own. His greatest joy is to see others being blessed and promoted. A hospitable person is also industrious serving his own household as well as his neighbours’. He does not call to attention his own importance and prefers to give credit to those who work in the background.
Hospitality is the fruit of righteousness. And the model of which is none other than Christ who comes to serve and not to be served. Jesus teaches about hospitality and criticises those who yearn to be served and to exercise dominion over others,
You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28
In short, one who is godly, is a servant who practices hospitality to familiars and strangers alike. Those who shelter strangers, feed the hungry, clothe the naked and visit prisoners in prison are by their hospitality considered righteous and… the righteous will go into eternal life. (see Matthew 25:34-40, 46).
In the last days, the majority of the world, the churched and unchurched alike are trending toward self-centredness; they idolise their family and are lovers of themselves. Many churches project a form of godliness, a glamour, wanting to draw to themselves those who desire to be rich. However, they rarely teach about righteousness and are nothing like Christ in His purity and servitude. Thus, their children are leaving the faith in droves because they cannot see in their parents the hospitality of Christ. The apostle Paul says,
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money… holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied (are devoid of) its power… 2 Timothy 3
In view of these difficult times, what should the disciples of Christ do? Paul instructs Timothy, the overseer of churches to be faithful in studying the word, so that he may walk in the truth albeit much sufferings and persecutions by false teachers. The only way to protect oneself from falling away is to be true to every word of scripture, and to refrain from selective teachings. All scripture are relevant and inspired and therefore, must be systematically covered in the church’s teaching curriculum and preaching calendar. Paul says,
Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings,… All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3
The church must persevere in encouraging believers to read the whole bible systematically and teachers must cover a broad category of truths. In so doing, the church may be properly equipped for the works of hospitality and bring salvation to the world.
You don’t always need specific details to walk in God’s will, just the right heart will do
The natural mind cannot obey what it cannot understand. But the spiritual mind trusts God and obeys His instructions nonetheless. Young believers are prone to worrying if they do not have a clear view of the future. They demand evidences amidst the inspired promises of God; they cannot rest until they see with their eyes and touch with their hand the fulfilment of God’s promises.
Abraham is accustomed to living by the moment through divine directives. Even though he does not know the full picture, nor understand why God gives a certain command, he obeys trusting that God is eternally good and righteous. Abraham left his homeland without clear directions as to where he is heading (see Genesis 12:4). Abraham, upon receiving God’s instructions proceeds to sacrifice his son without understanding why (see Genesis 22). Abraham sends his servant to the city of Nahor fully dependent on God to provide a wife for his son.
Indeed, Abraham does not have full knowledge, and yet he is always found in the centre of God’s will. What is Abraham’s secret to walking in God’s will and experiencing the blessings? – A heart that wholly believes in God. Abraham believes God’s every word and is willing to risk everything to follow Him. However, there are those who appear to have faith, and while being ladened with fleshly desires, want to do things their way. They conjure their own visions and prophecies only to incur great losses. Such usually cannot follow the inner promptings of the Spirit and resort to external signs to validate their soulish intentions.
Therefore, believers must meditate on the truth daily. In sanctifying our hearts with righteousness, and in regenerating our thoughts with divine wisdom, we can walk confidently in the will of God. The key is not in knowing the specifics but in acquiring the right posture of the heart. Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8. The pure in heart knows no greed, fear or unbelief (a wavering mind). They will seek God wholeheartedly and seize the day. God, being the Sovereign Master Planner does not involve us in the parts that we cannot understand, such details will be superfluous to us. But He will involve us in the execution of the parts we are directly responsible for.
Abraham only need to send out the servant together with the entourage. The servant only need to follow the trail to the city of Nahor and perhaps exercise some common sense and wisdom. God is left to orchestrate the angels in tackling the complexities involving Rebekah’s timely appearance. And the rest, as we know it, is history.
Application
If you are unmarried and seeking a spouse, what are the criteria for your prospective spouse? Do you find such qualities in yourself? As any godly person will seek out another who is mature and godly, endeavour to cultivate Christ’s virtues within you. At the right time, God will bring a suitable person into your life so that you may fulfil your calling together.
Do you see yourself as a hospitable person or are you selective concerning whom you serve? Jesus comes to serve and die on our behalf while we are still rebellious. Having that in mind, we should not be selective but serve others readily from a cheerful heart.
Do you constantly mull over the decisions you have yet to make and regret over past decisions? Spend more time meditating on the word and less time thinking about solutions. Solutions to complex problems has to do with the future which we have no control over. However, our sovereign God will in due time reveal to you through His word the way of salvation.
Dear Lord, I rest in your peace trusting that the solution is found in you. I believe you have forgiven my sins and will not deal with me according to my wrongdoings. Hence, I believe that breakthrough is promised to me. As I meditate on your word, sanctify my heart and lead me on one step at a time. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.