Love at First Sight Genesis 24 Passing Faith On Pray Continually Signs “I Will Go” Jesus’ Bride 1

Love at First Sight Genesis 24 Passing Faith On Abraham and his trusted servant Possibly Eliezer of Damascus … This man was a faithful servant. He had come to trust the God of his master. Arriving at Nahor, he immediately prayed. He later prayed to thank God for His Sovereignty. Second example of prayer in Scripture Where did he learn to pray like this? 2

Love at First Sight Genesis 24 Pray Continually This servant understood the principle of prevailing prayer and faithfully practiced what he understood. The prayers written here seem to be of a consistent pattern. He was praying all along! It is very probable that each day the caravan started and ended in prayer. As he prayed, he kept moving toward his goal and kept planning. Prayer is not a substitute for action! 3

Love at First Sight Genesis 24 Signs The servant’s prayer concerned a test upon which the story hinged – verse 14. The servant asked God for a sign. This was not “putting out a fleece.” It was not miraculous. This was a well thought out request appropriate to the mission at hand. God answered precisely and at once – Is. 65:24! 4

Isaiah 65:24 (NASB) 24  It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.

Love at First Sight Genesis 24 Signs The servant’s prayer concerned a test upon which the story hinged – verse 14. The servant asked God for a sign. This was not “putting out a fleece.” It was not miraculous. This was a well thought out request appropriate to the mission at hand. God answered precisely and at once – Is. 65:24! The servant recognized the Lord at all points. 4

Love at First Sight Genesis 24 “I Will Go” When a man is close to the Lord and walking in His way, other people will recognize it. Rebekah, her father (Bethuel), and brother (Laban) recognized this in the servant’s life. They may not have been worshippers of the one true God. 5

Love at First Sight Genesis 24 “I Will Go” The wonderful character of Rebekah She was courteous and hospitable. She was a hard worker. She stuck to a very difficult task willingly. She had a servant’s heart. She had an open heart and mind. The best of all these qualities though was her obedience to the call of God. IMMEDIATELY! 6

Love at First Sight Genesis 24 Jesus’ Bride How we become part of the bride of Christ Rebekah is a type of the church – Eph. 1:3-6. 7

Ephesians 1:3-6 (NASB) 3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5  He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6  to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

Love at First Sight Genesis 24 Jesus’ Bride How we become part of the bride of Christ Rebekah is a type of the church – Eph. 1:3-6. Isaac passed through his experience of sacrifice and resurrection before Rebekah knew him. The faithful servant is a type of the Holy Spirit. He left home to find her when she was still ignorant of Isaac’s existence. 7

Love at First Sight Genesis 24 Jesus’ Bride How we become part of the bride of Christ When the servant found her, he initiated a contact and then induced her to come with him, not for himself. The servant probably used the return trip to prepare Rebekah for her bridegroom, Isaac. Much the same way the Holy Spirit does in our sanctification process. 8

Love at First Sight Genesis 24 Application Who in your life can you identify as one passing on their faith to you? To whom are you passing your faith? What importance does prayer play in your life? Does it keep you in constant relationship with God? 9

Love at First Sight Genesis 24 Application Do others recognize God at work in you? Is your response always “I will go”? Immediately? Is the Holy Spirit wooing you to become the bride of Christ? 10