10.05.2025 – Genesis Chapter 24 | BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS

π May 10, 2025
π DAILY BIBLE READING
β¨ Genesis 24 β Isaac Wins Rebekah β Godβs Guidance in Lifeβs Decisions
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π Bible Text β Genesis 24 (KJV)
1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and theΒ LordΒ had blessed Abraham in all things.
2Β And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
3Β And I will make thee swear by theΒ Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
4Β But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
5Β And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
6Β And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.
7Β TheΒ LordΒ 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.
8Β And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
9Β And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.
10Β And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
11Β And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
12Β And he said OΒ LordΒ God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
13Β Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
14Β And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
15Β And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
16Β And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
17Β And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
18Β And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
19Β And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
20Β And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
21Β And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether theΒ LordΒ had made his journey prosperous or not.
22Β And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
23Β And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father’s house for us to lodge in?
24Β And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
25Β She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.
26Β And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped theΒ Lord.
27Β And he said, Blessed be theΒ LordΒ God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, theΒ LordΒ led me to the house of my master’s brethren.
28Β And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother’s house these things.
29Β And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.
30Β And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.
31Β And he said, Come in, thou blessed of theΒ Lord; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.
32Β And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men’s feet that were with him.
33Β And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.
34Β And he said, I am Abraham’s servant.
35Β And theΒ LordΒ hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.
36Β And Sarah my master’s wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.
37Β And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:
38Β But thou shalt go unto my father’s house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.
39Β And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.
40Β And he said unto me, TheΒ Lord, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father’s house:
41Β Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.
42Β And I came this day unto the well, and said, OΒ LordΒ God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:
43Β Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;
44Β And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom theΒ LordΒ hath appointed out for my master’s son.
45Β And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.
46Β And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.
47Β And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, the daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.
48Β And I bowed down my head, and worshipped theΒ Lord, and blessed theΒ LordΒ God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter unto his son.
49Β And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.
50Β Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from theΒ Lord: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.
51Β Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as theΒ LordΒ hath spoken.
52Β And it came to pass, that, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he worshipped theΒ Lord, bowing himself to the earth.
53Β And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.
54Β And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master.
55Β And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.
56Β And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing theΒ LordΒ hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.
57Β And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth.
58Β And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.
59Β And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant, and his men.
60Β And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
61Β And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
62Β And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country.
63Β And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.
64Β And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.
65Β For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.
66Β And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.
67Β And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
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π¦ Introduction
Chapter 24 of Genesis is not only the longest single narrative in Genesis but also a beautiful testimony to Godβs sovereign guidance in major life decisionsβespecially in choosing a spouse. In an age when marriage is often viewed superficially, this account shows how deep prayer, faithfulness, and obedience lead to Godβs blessing.
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π¨ Commentary
1. The Commission and Preparation (vv. 1β9)
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Abraham, now advanced in years, ensures his son Isaac will not marry a Canaanite woman. He charges his chief servant to go to Haran and find a wife for Isaac among his relativesβone who shares their faith.
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Spiritual Insight: Decisions about marriage and family should rest on shared faith and spiritual unity, not merely on emotion or culture.
2. Prayer and Divine Guidance (vv. 10β27)
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The servant prays at the well in Mesopotamia for a clear signβand God answers immediately. Rebekah arrives, offers him water, and also draws for his camelsβexactly as he had requested.
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Spiritual Insight: God hears prayers offered in faith and obedience to His will. The servant sought Godβs guidance and received it in a remarkable way.
3. Family Confirmation (vv. 28β61)
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Rebekahβs family hears the servantβs account, and both they and Rebekah herself agree. Rebekah demonstrates courage and faith by immediately leaving her home to follow.
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Spiritual Insight: Rebekah exemplifies the obedient soul that follows Godβs call, even into unfamiliar territory.
4. Meeting Isaac and the Beginning of the Marriage (vv. 62β67)
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Isaac is meditating in the field when he sees the camels approaching. Rebekah veils herself in respect. Isaac brings her into his mother Sarahβs tent, marries her, and is comforted in his motherβs death.
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Spiritual Insight: A God-guided marriage brings comfort, love, and fulfills Godβs purposesβnot only for the couple but for generations to come.
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π© Summary
God works quietly yet sovereignly to unite Isaac and Rebekah. Through the servantβs prayer, Rebekahβs willingness, and their obedience to Godβs direction, a marriage is established that becomes part of Godβs redemptive planβultimately leading to the lineage of Christ.
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π₯ Message for Today
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God Is a God of Guidance: When weβlike Abrahamβs servantβact in prayerful trust, God shows us the way, even in lifeβs biggest decisions.
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Prayer Is Conversation: The servantβs specific prayer met a specific answer; God still desires that level of conversation with us.
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Trust Brings Peace: Rebekah stepped into uncertainty because she believed God had paved the wayβmay we, too, trust God when facing new paths.
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Marriage as a Divine Covenant: Isaac and Rebekahβs union was founded on Godβs direction. Every Christian marriage can be a living testimony to Godβs faithfulness.
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π May 4β10, 2025
π WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING
π Ellen G. White β Patriarchs and Prophets β Chapter 3
β¨ βThe Temptation and the Fallβ
π Read online here
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π¦ Introduction
Following the perfect account of Creation in Chapter 2, Chapter 3 recounts the most tragic turning point in human history: the Fall. Amidst perfection, peace, and communion with God, the first human pair chooses disobedience. This single act unleashes a cascade of consequencesβguilt, separation from God, suffering, and death. Yet even here, Godβs mercy shines through: He does not abandon humanity but promises redemption.
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π¨ Commentary
- Satanβs Purpose and Deception
- Driven by envy, Satan seeks to lure humanity away from obedience to God.
- He selects the most beautiful creatureβthe serpentβas his instrument.
- Eve departs from Adam and the safety of their fellowship, taking the first step toward temptation.
- Attack on Godβs Word
- Satan questions the very words of God: βDid God really sayβ¦?β
- He lies: βYou will not surely dieββthe first great deception.
- His aim: sow doubt, distrust, and rebellion against Godβs character and commands.
- The Fall
- Eve listens to the serpent, sees the fruit, takes and eats.
- Adam likewise eats, out of love for Eveβa tragic, deliberate choice.
- Immediately they feel shame, fear, and guiltβthey recognize their nakedness.
- Divine Judgment
- God seeks them: βWhere are you?β
- Adam shifts blame onto Eveβand indirectly onto God.
- Eve blames the serpent.
- The consequences: a curse on the serpent, pain for the woman, hardship for the man, and exile from the Tree of Life.
- First Promise of the Gospel (v. 15)
- The Proto-Evangelium: βHe will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.β
- The first announcement of the Redeemerβvictory over Satan is assured.
- Mercy Amid Judgment
- God clothes Adam and Eve in garments of skin.
- The Garden is barredβnot merely as punishment but to prevent eternal life in sin.
- A hope remains for restoration in the βnew Edenβ (Revelation 21β22).
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π© Summary
The Fall marks the beginning of all human suffering but also the moment when Godβs mercy appears. Adam and Eveβs decision to transgress Godβs command was no minor slipβit was a fundamental breach of trust and obedience. Yet God speaks not only judgment but also grace, promising a Savior.
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π₯ Application for Today
- God warns and protects but never forcesβtrue love grants freedom.
- Sin often begins with small steps: moving away from God, doubting His word, and yielding to curiosity.
- Despite our failures, God does not give up on us. He still calls, βWhere are you?β
- Jesus is the promised offspring who crushed the serpentβs head. In Him we find hope, restoration, and new life.
- Our obedience today reflects our love for Godβnot as a work to earn His favor, but as a response to His grace.