Bible Pathways - Jan. 8, 2009
January 8
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Miraculous, divine intervention is seen throughout today's reading, all because of obedience to God. How fantastic to see the hand of God in action.
Abraham sent Eleazar, his trusted servant, to his homeland in Aram to choose a wife for Isaac from his own people, with this comment: The Lord . . . He shall send His angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son (24:7). Our Heavenly Father has sent His Holy Spirit to represent His only-begotten Son. As the servant represented Isaac to Rebekah, so the Holy Spirit speaks of Christ to all who make up His Bride, the Church. Just as the servant took Rebekah on the long journey to Isaac's home, so the Holy Spirit guides believers on our long journey to our eternal home. (Compare John 16:13-15.)
Abraham expressed his absolute confidence in the ability of God to lead his servant in every detail to obtain a wife for his son. And Abraham said unto him. . . The Lord God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; He shall send His angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence (Gen. 24:6-7). However, to Eleazar this assignment of going to a foreign land to find the exact wife for his master's son must have seemed an impossible task.
The providential guidance of God led in such a significant way that it removed all possible doubt from Eleazar. He knew that God had led him directly to the very woman whom God had chosen. And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the Lord. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham . . . I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren (24:26-27).
Eleazar did not congratulate himself upon his good luck; instead he thanked God for guiding him. When faced with a problem, Christians should be aware of the unseen hand of God moving to solve our problems. We should give glory to God by offering Him instant praise and thanksgiving for His guidance.
When our desires are to please Him, God orders all the ways of our lives so that He may bless us and we may offer Him the worship He desires and deserves. Christians should not hesitate to give Him all the praise for everything, even life itself.
Proper praise is illustrated in the life of one leper who was healed by Jesus: When he saw that he was healed, (he) turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? (Luke 17:15-17).
Thought for Today:
We are to walk by faith, not by sight (II Cor 5:7). He has promised that faith and guidance will come as we read His Word (Rom. 10:17; Ps. 32:8).
Christ Revealed:
Isaac's submission to his father and his willingness to be offered (Gen. 22:7-10) illustrates Jesus, who willingly offered His life as a sacrifice for our sins. I lay down (give up) My life. . . . No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself (John 10:11-18).
Word Studies:
22:3 clave =split; 22:12 fearest =has reverential, heartfelt submission to; 22:14 Jehovah-jireh =the Lord will provide; 22:17 seed =descendants; gate =place of authority and entrance to the city; 22:24 concubine =secondary wife without inheritance rights; 23:6 sepulchres =places of burial, graves, tombs; 24:5 peradventure =what if; 24:8 oath =sworn promise; 24:12 send me good speed =grant me success; 24:14 damsel =virgin maiden; 24:16 fair =beautiful; known =had sexual relations with; 24:21 held his peace =observed her but kept quiet; to wit =so as to know; prosperous =successful; 24:25 provender =food; 24:27 left destitute =forsaken; 24:32 ungirded =unloaded; 24:33 meat =food; 24:53 raiment =clothing; 24:57 inquire at her mouth =let her make the decision; 24:60 possess the gate of =be victorious over; 24:62 well Lahairoi =Well of the Living One who sees me (see 16:14): 24:64 lighted off =dismounted from.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Arabic International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts in honor of Our Lord & Savior • Staff: Rita Guerra • Country: Togo (5 million) in western Africa • Major languages: French and several African languages • Limited religious freedom • 41% belief in false gods and voodoo; 32% Roman Catholic; 19% Muslim; 8% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Keep your mind on the Lord and trust Him; He will give you peace (Is. 26:3).
Optional Reading: Matthew 8
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 1:21
