Over the Desert Sands
INTRODUCTORY WORDS
The Lord honored a marriage scene in Cana of Galilee with His presence. Marriage is honorable in all. God has said, "It is not good that the man should be alone." We need to magnify the sacredness of the marriage bond.
That, however, to which we wish, by way of introduction, to call your attention is the Divine use of the marriage bond as an emblem, endeared and indissoluble, which exists between Christ and the Church.
1. The first marriage in the Garden of Eden.
2. The wooing of Rebekah, and her marriage unto Isaac,
3. The marriage of Samson.
4. The marriage of Hezekiah.
5. New Testament bridal messages. In the New Testament there are many portraitures anticipating the marriage of Christ and His Bride. (1) The Father is described as giving a marriage to His Son. (2) The midnight cry is sounded, "Behold the Bridegroom cometh!" (3) The story of the marriage of the Lamb is set forth in the cry, "Blessed are they who are called unto the Marriage Supper of the Lamb." (4) The Lamb's Wife is portrayed as arrayed in fine linen, clean and white. (5) The last message of the New Testament and the Bride, give us the call, "Come hither," and "I will shew thee the Bride, the Lamb's Wife." Then are outlined the marvels of the wonderful City, the Holy Jerusalem descending from God out of Heaven the City which shall be the eternal abode of the Bride of the Lamb.
I. REBEKAH'S GLAD SURPRISE (Genesis 24:28)
1. Rebekah had a great joy in her heart. Our key-text says, "The damsel ran, and told * * her mother's house these things." She was in a hurry to tell the good things which her God was bestowing upon her. There are some who run away from God, there are others who run into the arms of God, Some shut God out of their lives, others welcome Him in.
A servant had come from a far country. He had come as the representative of a man who was mighty upon the earth; Rebekah opened her heart and hand to welcome this strange, but wonderful visitor.
The Holy Spirit has come from a far land. He has come as a representative of God. Behold, a greater than Abraham's servant is here. He is here bringing a message of one greater than Abraham and Isaac. Shall we receive Him?
2. Rebekah's brother ran out to meet the man, unto the well. Laban was greatly impressed as he saw the earrings and bracelets upon his sister. Thus, when he heard Rebekah's words as she described what had happened at the well, he hastened out and said unto the servant, "Come in, thou blessed of the Lord; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels."
Do we have ears to hear, and eyes to see the movement of the Spirit of God? He, too, is standing without. Will we welcome Him in? Have we a room in our heart prepared for this Holy Guest?
How much do we lose by refusing to welcome this Guest of the Lord! How often in entertaining men have we entertained angel's unawares. However, in entertaining the Holy Ghost we entertain God.
He, who is a representative of the Lord of Hosts should always find a warm welcome into our homes and hearts. However, if there come unto us one who beareth not this doctrine of truth, we are commanded: "Receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."
II. THE ENTRANCE OF THE SERVANT (Genesis 24:32)
1. Abraham's servant was given an entrance. Our text says, "And the man came into the house." The camels were ungirded and provided with straw and provender. He was given water to wash his feet, and the men who were with him were also welcomed.
Milcah and Laban joined with Rebekah in the hospitality of their home. We can almost hear our Lord saying to that household: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me." When this man from the far country, who had charge of all Abraham's goods was received, Abraham and Isaac were received in him. When the Holy Spirit is welcomed into our home and heart, how much the more is God the Father and God the Son, welcomed in Him.
2. There was set meat before him to eat. As Abraham's servant sat down at a table filled with good things, he said, "I will not eat, until I have told mine errand." Laban replied, "Speak on." The man from the far country said, "I am Abraham's servant. And the Lord hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great." After this, the servant told of Abraham's possessions; of Sarah, Abraham's wife; and of Isaac, Abraham's son.
To us, this ail-surpassingly beautiful narration seems to speak of how the Holy Spirit has come forth from the Father. He speaks to us, not of Himself, but of the Father and of the Son. Christ said, "He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you." He also said, "He shall glorify Me." This same Spirit should dominate us in all things. We preach Christ, and not ourselves. We are heralders of Another.
3. Putting first things, first. The servant of Abraham said, "I will not eat, until." Here is a lesson much needed by all of us. We are too prone to think first of ourselves, and care of our body, the supply of our needs. We will not work on an empty stomach. We will not serve unless the pay check is in sight. We will work for Gad after we, ourselves, have been fully cared for, God give us, rather, this spirit of the faithful servant of Abraham.
III. THE QUEST OF THE SERVANT (Genesis 24:37-38)
1. There was no delay in pressing the claims of Isaac. Abraham's servant did not delay in telling his business. He acted under the injunction "The king's business requireth haste." He had no time for parleying, and no heart for delay. The Spirit of God moves on this same basis. We can hear Him as He says, "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
If there is any delay, it will be found upon the part of the sinner. How many have voiced the wailing cry, "O the years of sinning wasted, could I but recall them now." Many great disasters have come because of duty deferred, of warning neglected. If we have anything to do, let us do it now.
2. There was no covering up of facts as the claim was pressed. Whatever else may be said of Abraham's servant, he told the truth, told it frankly, told it fully. If there were to be any failure in his obtaining his quest, it would not be because he had held back any part of his message.
The servant of Abraham told of how he had sworn unto his master that he would not take a wife unto Isaac of the daughters of the Canaanites. He told how he would be free from his oath, if the woman would not follow with him. He went on to tell of everything that had happened at the well of his prayer, of Rebekah's coming forth, of her offering him to drink, and of her drawing the water for his camels.
He showed how all of this was an answer to prayer, an answer which came to pass before he had done speaking. He told of his asking Rebekah of her parentage, of his giving her the jewels; of his bowing his head as he worshiped the Lord, who had led him in the right way to take a wife for Isaac.
All of this carries a marvelous message to us. The Spirit of God brought no fancied fable unto us, when He told us of the Father and of the Son. His Words are Truth, illuminating Truth, conservative Truth, Truth without error.
Many things have been spoken by the Spirit of God, as He reveals the wonders of the Father and the Son. These words have entered into the past, they have outlined the present, and they have revealed the future of our Lord and His glory. Not one good thing spoken shall fail. The Spirit of God can foretell the coming nuptials of the Son, the glory of the New Jerusalem, and all of those marvelous events which lie in the thousand years and in the ages to come, with the same accuracy with which He could relate events of yesterday.
IV. THE CONSENT (Genesis 24:50-51; Genesis 24:58)
1. The consent of the parents. Such was the custom in the olden days. The appeal was made first to the parents; in the case of Rebekah to her mother and brother. They, in answer to the detailed appeal of Abraham's servant, said, "The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good. Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go."
Let the message sink deep we need to know the will of the Lord in matrimonial affairs. When we discover that will, we need to proceed without questionings. We need parents who will help and not hinder their children in obeying the Lord in making their choice of life partners. Suppose Rebekah's mother and brother had stood in her way and hindered her going to Isaac, what incalculable loss would have followed? She would have been robbed of that choice heritage of being "mother" to our Lord, according to the flesh; and of entering, by marriage, into the direct line of descent from Adam unto Christ.
God pity those parents who stand in the way of their children's spiritual acquisitions. What a harvest of disappointments they must reap!
2. The assent of Rebekah. It was not enough for Rebekah's mother and brother to give their consent. Rebekah had to be considered. Thus it was that Bethuel and Laban said, "We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth."
When Rebekah had entered, they said, "Wilt thou go with this man?" And she said, "I will go." Thus, was the great decision made, not alone by mother and brother, but the damsel herself.
After all this, is our chief concern wilt thou go with Christ? Wot is father, or mother, or brother, or sister willing; but, am I willing? Wilt thou leave all, home, country, friends all, to follow Christ?
May I count the cost? Certainly. There will be much to yield, much to leave. Count the gain? Certainly. There will be all to gain, all to find. We may leave father, mother, houses, lands; but we will gain all of these, and Christ.
V. ACROSS THE DESERT SANDS (Genesis 24:61)
1. Rebekah arose and followed the man. Here is a statement in the Bible that is absolutely vital to the Christian's life and walk. If we would go to the marriage nuptials of the Lamb of God, we must promptly arise, and go with the Spirit en route. God has sent Him to lead us along the way. He will lead us on. The chief question is this: Are we ready to leave all and go? Then, as we go, Will we follow hard after the Spirit? Alas, how many "there are who are taking the reins of their Christian life into their own hands! The standard of their walk is their own conceptions, their own think sos. They want to be bride to the Lord, but they refuse His Heavenly escort. They choose to travel by the bypaths that please the flesh.
So many young people profess to be Christ's, and yet they walk after the flesh, and not after the Spirit. They follow after the things of this world. With their lips they profess love for Christ, but with their lives they follow Baalim.
2. The man guided Rebekah on the way. It was he to whom she left the details of the journey. She was traveling a new path, an untried journey. Is this not always so? How can a man direct his own steps? The Christian life traverses a road where we have not been before. There are dangers lurking by the way, of which we are ignorant. There are foes which we must meet; foes which are greater and stronger than we. The whole proposition is whether we will accept the Paraclete of God the One whom He has sent to walk with us by the way? How happy we should be to accept this Heavenly Guide; how carefully we should listen to His voice; how willingly we should follow in His steps!
3. The theme of conversation. As the caravan made its way across the desert sands en route to Canaan, the theme of conversation must have centered in Isaac. It was not the sphinx, or the catacombs, or the great pyramid, that became the chief theme of conversation. It was not the hot winds or the sand-filled eyes that became the talk of the journey. It was Isaac, and Abraham who held Rebekah's heart and words. Every day, as Rebekah and Abraham's servant journeyed side by side, Rebekah heard more and more of Isaac. As she listened she learned to love Isaac more and more. Her heart was in constant preparation for that happy meeting which came at the journey's end.
Is not all of this true with us? The Spirit takes of the thing's of Christ and shows them unto us. As He glorifies Christ to us, we daily know Him the better, and love Him the more. All of this is in preparation for the meeting in the skies.
VI. THE MEETING (Genesis 24:62-66)
1. Isaac came by the way of the well Lahai-roi. It is not difficult to imagine why Isaac came to the well of Lahai-roi the well of "meeting." His heart was longing for Rebekah, even as her's was longing for Isaac.
We who are journeying across the desert sands are ever thinking of the time when we shall see Him face to face. We are longing, waiting, looking, yearning for Him. We love the very thought of His Appearing.
Isaac also looked and longed for Rebekah. And so does pur blessed Lord sit at the Father's right hand, "expecting." He wants to come for us, far more than we want Him to come.
Rebekah came to Isaac; Isaac came to Rebekah. That will be the course of events when Christ returns. We are to go forth to Him, be rapt up into the air; He is to come forth from Heaven to the air to meet us. The atmosphere above will be our "Well of Lahai-roi" our place of "meeting."
2. Rebekah lifted up her eyes and saw Isaac. What thrills of joy must have been her's as she realized that prophecy was about to become history. Of all that the servant had told her of Abraham and Isaac not a word was to fail. Thus will Christ's Advent and the Rapture of saints fulfil all that the Spirit hath spoken. There shall not fail one good thing.
Bless God for the consummation of hope, when the meeting takes place. We shall see Him, whom we have loved the while, and for whom we have longed.
3. The servant recounted all that had happened to Isaac. The story of the journey and the home at Haran, the prayer by the well, the coming of Rebekah, the welcome of Laban, and Bethuel, the quick response of Rebekah, and her willingness to go; the farewell words of the mother and brother, the long journey across the sands all were told.
4. The marriage. The last verse of the chapter tells us that Isaac took Rebekah, and she became his wife. The words are not now detailed, as were the words of the courtship and journey. The scene was too sacred to describe.
The marriage in the skies will not be open to the eyes of a gazing world. It will be consummated behind closed doors, even the veil of the skies. However, "Blessed are they which are called unto the Marriage Supper of the Lamb."
AN ILLUSTRATION
READY TO SAIL
Rebekah was not ashamed to announce her confession. She said, "I will go."
All of us should count ourselves as pilgrims to the wedding in the skies.
"' A Christian should be always as a ship that hath taken in its lading, and is prepared and furnished with all manner of tackling, ready to set sail, only expecting the good wind to carry him out of the haven.' Would to God it were always so with us. We are fully stored and equipped in Christ Jesus, and yet we do not always enjoy the holy quiet which ought to spring out of so Divine a fact. All is well. Why do we not feel that it is so? Why do we fear to depart? There remains nothing for us but to obey the call, let loose the cable, and float into the Heavenly Haven; but we act as if it were not so, and often dread the time for commencing the last voyage. It is more important to be prepared to live aright than to be in an ecstasy at the thought of death; but, still, while we are ready for service, it is sweet also to be ready for Glory. The thought of death should never put us in a flurry. It should be everyday work to die: indeed, we should be always dead with Christ. Where this is realized death is dead, and as children are not afraid of a dead lion, so we also are not disturbed at the prospect of departing out of this world unto the Father.