(Genesis 24:1-8 ESV) “1 Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, 3 that I may make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, 4 but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” 5 The servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” 6 Abraham said to him, “See to it that you do not take my son back there. 7 The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. 8 But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.””
As I grow older, I become more convinced that God has a master plan that is being worked out in the spiritual realm. Since He knows the end from the beginning, He knows in advance where life’s chess pieces will land. My choices are not a surprise to Him and He is definitely not saying, “Oh, that one caught me by surprise.” He is not in Heaven wringing His fatherly hands wondering what His next move should be. NO! He is already aware and is commanding angels in the unseen realm to set the table of blessing.
Abraham made it very clear to his servant what his wishes were as it pertained to choosing a wife for Isaac. Either a woman from his country and clan would return to marry Isaac, or there would be no wedding at all. No Canaanites. No relocating Isaac. No compromise! “The LORD, the God of heaven…will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.” Period. Done deal. Finito. In his best Jesus voice, “It is finished.” Good for you, Abraham!
By reading the rest of the story we learn that God remained faithful to His promise to Abraham and provided a beautiful young woman named Rebekah to be Isaac’s wife. Coincidence? Or, Divine providence? Consider the timing of Abraham’s servant, the arrival of Rebekah at just the time he needed water, the exact words spoken that had been secretly uttered in prayer. A coincidence? Nope. God was directing the activities of this historic scene through the activity of angelic beings.
Today, let me encourage you to take a chill pill… relax in your Rhema… Refuse to accept second best when God has already promised the VERY best.
PRAYER: Father, I have seen with my spirit eyes what I believe you intend to do in me and through me. Help me to remain focused on that vision. After all, that’s the vision which will bring YOU the most glory! Amen.
Thinking Out Loud 