Day 4: Chayei Sarah/Genesis 24:27-52
Beware of them eyes! Those shifty, beady eyes always looking for the right plan of attack, the right time, just the right scheme to get his own way. Abraham had plenty of people to learn from and look to as examples of shifty, conniving people. From all accounts, he seemed to be surrounded by Canaanites who relished getting their own way. Everyone from the sons of Heth who charged an inordinate amount of money for a field and a cave, to Abimelech and his servants looking out for their own good alone, Abraham had both the school of hard knocks and the Ruach that granted him discernment over his peers and enemies. Abraham’s servant, on the other hand, still talked of Elohim from a third-person perspective. The kind of wisdom or discernment Abraham possessed may have still been less tangible to his bondservant.
Fortunately, YHVH heard the servant’s prayer and honored it by allowing him to immediately find of Rebekah; however, he would have to pass through the gauntlet of, not Rebekah’s parents but her brother, Laban. It could be assumed the big brother was only trying to watch out for Rebekah’s welfare; yet, it seems more as if Laban is watching out for his own welfare and what could be garnished for personal gain. The arrival of Abraham’s servant was like a free meal ticket to this would be con-man. Thus, Laban saw the gold ring and the bracelets on his sister and went running to offer his hospitality to the stranger.
When a meal was set before Abraham’s servant, it becomes quite apparent that he does not want to mince words. This emissary from Canaan seems to spill the whole bucket of beans without taking so much as a breath. To be sure, Abraham’s Elohim is with this servant, but his own wisdom displays some folly of divulging too much information to the wrong ears. Laban seems to be the main audience, consented for this purpose by reason of the abdication of leadership roles by Bethuel and his wife. It is not until the last of the servant’s disclosure that Bethuel is even mentioned as being a part of the conversation; and, even then, he is mentioned after Laban’s name in the text. It would stand to reason that this servant should be having this intimate conversation with the parents who would have total say in the matter. Rather, the conniving actions of Laban seem to have been sanctioned by mom and dad.
Torah later reveals that this style of rearing yields a real con-man who tricks Yacov, deceiving him to working as a servant for over twenty years. Perhaps Laban just feels entitled or, since the family took off with Rebekah, he will simply try and get all he can out of the deal, knowing that Yacov’s family had means. Regardless, Bethuel and his wife successfully rear a gorgeous bride for Isaac and a conniving man who has a matriarchal spirit.
Some clues to the self-serving and wrongly motivated ambition are the reply to Abraham’s servant. Laban and Bethuel do not have a bad or good thing to say since the matter comes from YHVH.
What? If it is from the Creator, and Rebekah’s fate will be so wonderful, how could that possibly be bad? It is because the conclusion excludes Laban and his family from fame and fortune.
We are surrounded by such shifty-eyed individuals looking to take what they did not build and to rule what they had no part in creating. Being of Abraham’s household renders us with the discernment and wisdom that comes from our Patriarch through Messiah. It is quite true that YHVH will protect us from all evil; it is equally true that we should be shrewd, being wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Many people would just assume to steal the mantel of leadership or the anointing to teach, prophesy, or any other work of the Father for their own fame and fortune. They tend to think that they are better and deserve such traits for themselves, without the blood, sweat, and tears that we have yielded in a walk with Yeshua. They, also, seem to think that using these gifts will benefit their own lives as they lose sight that the gifts are granted for the glory of YHVH and to protect that glory and holiness.
Many Laban archetypes have surrounded us in these last days. Our lives must be given over to the Father for Him to protect and orchestrate, realizing that sometimes, like Yacov, Laban’s will seem victorious for a season. In the end, though, we will be vindicated and the Laban’s of this world will get in full what they deserve (if they do not walk in repentance and humbleness of heart).
May we seek after the way of YHVH and His desires rather than usurping His plans or hijacking the destiny of others for vainglory.
Dwell upon JMatthew 10:16-20, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Ruach of your Father who speaks in you.”
