SINCE Rebekah’s family failed to respond favorably to the servant’s request, a real test of just how deeply her affections were moved toward Isaac was soon to be put to her personally. In much the same way, the boy or girl, young man or young woman, of our day must also make a definite decision regarding the Peon of the Lord Jesus. First of all, has a true conviction really taken place, owning Him as your personal Saviour? Then, to what degree, and with what promptness, will your heart be drawn to be near Him for the remainder of your life down here? These are very important questions, and while a loving mother and father may lend encouragement (or, on the other hand, may even be a discouragement) the decision must rest with you.
Rebekah’s story presents a picture of everyone of our present day who makes profession of laying hold on the promise of eternal life and association with the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. There will sooner or later be a time to show just how effectively that story has captivated the heart and how readily that one will give up those things formerly held so dear, that he might be closer to the One whose name he now claims. Certainly an observer would be justified in questioning the reality of a Christian who clings to worldly things that keep him in his old surroundings and away from the One he claims as his Saviour. The Holy Spirit, who delights to tell of the love of God and His Son, also seeks to immediately draw every true believer into the joy of nearness to the One whom He has presented.
Not content with the answer of Laban and the mother, who sought to postpone Rebekah’s union with Isaac, he said unto them: “Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.” v. 56. In considering the servant’s expression, we are assured that it conveys to us the great desire of the Holy Spirit of God to see His work accomplished upon this earth, that He may again, in heaven’s glory, be there complete with the Father and the Son. Then too it brings a fresh reminder of His desire to draw every purchased child of God away from the confining things of the world and place him in the enjoyment of the presence of the Lord, where He well knows the joy will be complete. In another aspect of the story, the Holy Spirit’s office in connection with the Church of God is seen, in which He would kindle a fire of response to the promises of both the Father and the Son. He would delight to see in the Church a real longing to be caught up away from this poor scene and into the riches of the Father’s house. How His heart must grieve at the dullness of those who are truly Christ’s, but who in spirit still cling to this wretched scene. Sad state of the Church indeed, when its response to the heavenly calling is “wait a few more days.”
At this point of our story, the night was ended, the day was dawning, and the servant expressed his desire to take the promised bride to the waiting bridegroom. Christian friend, we too are reminded “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” Rom. 13:1212The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:12).
ML-04/03/1966