READ: GENESIS 24:50-67 TEXT: v53
And
the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and
raiment, and gave to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her
mother precious things.
SUBJECT: PRECIOUS THINGS GIVEN US BY THE HOLY SPIRIT:
The context of the passage lies in the
mission of Abraham’s servant to gain a bride for Isaac, who was
Abraham’s son. Abraham was most anxious that his son should not
marry a Canaanite girl and so he sent his unnamed servant back to his
(i.e. Abraham’s) homeland to find a suitable young lady for
Isaac. This chapter records the success of this servant. He leaves on
record (v27) that "being in the way, the Lord led me" and again (v48)
that this way the Lord led him was the right way. He found Rebekah and
the passage records that she was most favourable to the thought of
marrying Abraham’s son. She had never heard of nor even met her
prospective husband, yet when put to the great decision (v58) she
readily and firmly registered her heart felt consent and so the passage
ends (v67) with wedding bells: "She became his wife: and he loved her."
Our part of the chapter records part of the work of Abraham’s
servant. When you think about it…here is an unknown person who
turns up out of the blue with a most wonderful story. He has just
spotted a very beautiful young lady and he begins to talk about a young
man in a far away country whom he says is related to her. He must
substantiate his story. Part of the substantiation is that he produces
some very expensive jewellery. He did so to Rebekah at the first
meeting (v22) which she, in turn, produced as evidence to her brother
Laban (v29-30) We find that more "precious things" (text) were produced
when there was general consent to the thought of the girl leaving home
and returning with the servant.
Our question is: What does this all signify? What spiritual application
does it all have? It is generally accepted that here we have an OT type
of the Father seeking a bride i.e. the Church for His Son. The bride
has not even seen the son, yet loves and believes in him. This leaves
the servant then to represent the Spirit of God. He has come at the
bidding of the Father. It is his work to bring the bride to the Son. He
is unnamed in this passage - although identified elsewhere. The Spirit
of God does not speak of Himself meaning, among other things, that He
is happiest speaking about Christ. "Spirit of God my teacher
be…showing the things of Christ to me."
The part of the Spirit’s work we want to view [today] is the
thought of Him giving precious things (text) What are the precious
things which the Spirit of God has for us? A look at the word
"precious" as it appears in the Bible will supply a number of answers:
1) THE SPIRIT OF GOD GIVES US A PRECIOUS FRIEND: 1 Peter 2:7
Jesus Christ is precious on a number of accounts: He is precious:
A/ OF WHO HE IS IN HIMSELF:
What makes Him to be of inestimable worth?
Ans:- He is the Almighty God. Many proof texts already known.
The most precious thing you have is your God. Do without everything
else…but you cannot do without God. "Without God" means "without
hope" and you cannot live without hope.
Even if He gave you nothing…still precious.
Seen vividly in Philippians 2:9-10 "under the earth"
B/ BECAUSE OF WHAT HE HAS DONE ON OUR BEHALF:
Although of great worth in Himself, yet surely our debt to Him is increased by what He has done for us.
Primarily, He dies on the Cross for our sins and paid in full our great debt.
Not only does experience teach us that such makes him precious - but also Luke 7:41-43
C/ BECAUSE OF WHAT HE HAS PLEDGED HIMSELF TO DO CONTINUALLY ON OUR BEHALF:
It is perhaps this that makes Him a real Friend.
He has promised to ever represent you at His Father’s throne: 1 John 2:1
Promised never to leave/forsake you:
"Did ever saint find this friend forsake Him? No not one, No not one"
Promised to come back for you and to take you to be with Him forever.
What inestimable worth there is in the Lord Jesus.
2) THE SPIRIT OF GOD GIVES US A PRECIOUS FOUNDATION: Isaiah 28:16
Quoted in 1 Peter 2:6 in relation again to Christ.
Not only a friend…a foundation.
A/ Your need of a foundation is beyond dispute: Psalm 11:3
B/ Matthew 7:24-27 speaks of the great wind and storm that will bombard your soul. Such will come from:
The devil himself
The trials of life
Greatest storm of all comes from the justice of God who must punish sin.
Bible records occasions when the agents of God's wrath swept across communities:
Exodus 12 (Egypt) Ezekiel 9:4-5 (Jerusalem)
Various world wide instances in Revelation.
Who survives this great stormy blast from the wrath of God?
Blood sheltered people i.e. those who have Christ as the foundation stone of their salvation.
3)THE SPIRIT OF GOD GIVES YOU A PRECIOUS FAITH: 2 Peter 1:1
We have been thinking about the precious things that the Spirit of God has given to us esp. in relation to salvation.
How did you come into fullness of these benefits?
Ans:- By faith. I believed. Where did you get this beneficial faith?
Ans:- It is one of the precious things which the Spirit of God has given to you: 1 Corinthians 2:5
A/ Faith is precious because of the One whom it targets:
Christ is precious.
Christ dignifies our trust. Our faith might be weak/blemished (Mark 9:24)
but honoured in heaven. God describes it as being precious faith.
B/ Faith is precious because of what it brings: Redemption of your soul.
Described as precious: Ps 49:8 All that is involved: Justification/sanctification etc., are all precious.
C/ Shared by many others:
Verse says: "them that have obtained like precious faith"
Sometimes something in great currency becomes of little value.
Not so bread/water.
Certainly not faith. Who are numbered among faithful? Abel (1st martyr) and great men.
D/ Never demean your faith.
Mourn its weakness…but never despise what you have.
The Spirit of God brought it to you.
Nature endowed you with unbelief…God gave faith.
4) THE SPIRIT OF GOD GIVES YOU PRECIOUS FAVOURS: 2 Peter 1:4
"Exceeding great and precious promises"
A/ Found all in the Bible of which the Holy Spirit is the Author: 2 Peter 1:21
Imagine reading a Bible which had been purged of every promise.
It would emaciate Book of Psalms.
No protoevangelium (Genenis 3:15) for banished Adam.
Upper Room ministry …a few dark verses with no brightening "but"
B/ And yet do we read the Bible as if it had been so purged?
"yes" if we do not claim the promises of God.
Like having a big cheque…but leaving it uncashed.
5) THE SPIRIT OF GOD GIVES YOU A PRECIOUS FAMILY: Lamentations 4:2
A/ We are not the only ones born again…born into God’s family.
Other’s likewise: 1 Timothy 5:1-2
B/ Treat Christians with great affection.
If precious to God (1 Peter 1:19) then also to us.
Obadiah - Governor of Ahab’s house - felt they were very precious:
1 Kings 18:3-4
Several ways: Philippians 2:3/Romans 12:10/1 Peter 5:5
Thank God for the precious things! Given to be enjoyed!
THE END