QT 10/8/2025 Gen 24:52–67, Starting out well does not mean a good finish

Genesis 24:52–67 (ESV) —

52 When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before the Lord. 53 And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments. 54 And he and the men who were with him ate and drank, and they spent the night there. When they arose in the morning, he said, “Send me away to my master.” 55 Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.” 56 But he said to them, “Do not delay me, since the Lord has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.” 57 They said, “Let us call the young woman and ask her.” 58 And they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.” 59 So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,

“Our sister, may you become

thousands of ten thousands,

and may your offspring possess

the gate of those who hate him!”

61 Then Rebekah and her young women arose and rode on the camels and followed the man. Thus the servant took Rebekah and went his way.

62 Now Isaac had returned from Beer-lahai-roi and was dwelling in the Negeb. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming. 64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel 65 and said to the servant, “Who is that man, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

 

NOTE: The story of Rebekah and Isaac is lovely and romantic. In the midst of loss, God provides a special treasure to Isaac. And so, it is a bit disappointing to know the rest of the story. The start is wonderful, but the middle and finish is not very inspiring. As a couple, they play favorites. Rebekah is complicit in deception., which may be the result of observing her brother Laban (he was not the best example). Even though, it is not in this passage, I think there is a lesson. A good start is not necessarily a promise of a good finish. In some ways, Isaac and Rebekah lived off of Abraham's wealth. Neither experienced much hardship, at least from the passages that are recorded. We should be very thankful for peace when it occurs in life, but we must never take those blessings for granted, and forget God.

 

PONDER:

1. How is life going today? If it is good, am I still remembering God? If it is hard and I am being forced to God, remember what is what like before, how did I live?
2. A good foundation is great provided I build upon it. What am I building upon?

 

PRAYER: Father, give me grace to continue well. Life has been hard but it really is not hard now, especially in retrospect. I thank you for your blessings, and I pray I would continue to seek you in the good times as well.