Day 3: Chayei Sarah/Genesis 24:10-26
There’s such great foreshadowing and imagery YHVH uses in the climatic search for a bride for Isaac. Not only was Abraham representative of YHVH, but Isaac resembled Messiah in various ways. Additionally, Abraham’s and Isaac’s advocate is the one searching for the bride and he personifies the Ruach haKodesh. The crowning moment takes place at a well of living water, whereupon the future bride presents herself as one ready to serve. Rebekah, born of Nahor’s household, directs all of her attention and effort to serve a stranger, willingly drawing water from the well and drawing the attention of Abraham’s advocate as a daughter of Elohim.
The search for a suitable wife for Isaac was not based on outward appearance. Other qualifications were most certainly observable. Rebeka’s ability to water ten thirsty camels was impressive in and of itself. Not only would this have taken adequate stamina and strength to collect all the water to satiate their thirst, but a bit of patience in serving a stranger and his livestock would have evident. It was this atypical kindness shown by Rebekah that helped fetch his attention with the embellishment with the ring and bracelets. Kindness, patience, self-control, and peace were all characteristics displayed by the bride-to-be. All of these fruits were shown to a stranger; but, there was a familiarity to this stranger, such as when like-minded people meet and realize they are of the same Ruach. Just as Abraham’s servant recognized Rebekah through his prayer to Elohim, Rebekah must have discerned Elohim’s presence in this servant.
When Messiah was on the earth, He drank from many wells, even exhorting many to find the Living Water so that they would thirst no more. His physical journey amongst man was all about searching and revealing Himself to those that responded in faith. He revealed Himself as the source of the Living Water from which to drink. As the servant of Abraham was an emissary of righteousness, the camels represent more than just gifts to impress a family or potential helpmate. They represent those surrounding Israel as the nations who come into Truth and get to partake of the Water of Life. It is not just anywhere in the desert, but at the wells where the water still flows. Furthermore, that scarce water is just easily obtained but is guarded by those who dug the well or who owns the property.
Once water is found and accessible, the thirsty decides how much they need to drink. Like horses and camels, people cannot be forced to drink, nor can their thirst be quenched by other’s standards. Rebekah realized this before she offered to water the camels and was willing to pay the price for her act of service, even watering ten camels.
It is important that we begin to ask: “What well do I stand before?” “Who is drawing water from that well?” And, “Who are those people in contrast to us?” Rebekah was found in more than just a watering hole. It was a place of service and recognition of like-minded people. It was a place of compassion for the weary and thirsty. It was a place to learn how to serve and not just be served. It certainly didn’t have to be this. Others could have behaved like Abimelech’s servants, chasing away others that needed water.
The compassion, patience, and perseverance shown by Rebekah is a place where Living Water abounds. It is a place inhabited by the Ruach where we recognize the water source and show that recognition through our fruit. Are we willing to be served and to learn to serve others? As servants of the Most High, our service extends to those coming to the well, in search of the Water of Life and their thirsty camels, which are the nations tagging along with them who are in need of Living Water, too.
We have that Living Water inside of us and we are wells for the Ruach to inhabit. What we do with it is up to us, but Yeshua desires for us to be poured out so that He can pour more into us. If we listen to His Ruach, we will not run dry as we serve Him.
Dwell upon John 4:13-14, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”