Monthly Archives: January 2024

GENESIS 25 ABRAHAM LIVED 175 YEARS

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January 12

GENESIS 25

Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. 2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. 3 Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. 4 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. 5 Abraham gave all he had to Isaac. 6 But to the sons of his concubines Abraham gave gifts, and while he was still living he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward to the east country.

7 These are the days of the years of Abraham’s life, 175 years. 8 Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. 9 Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, east of Mamre, 10 the field that Abraham purchased from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried, with Sarah his wife. 11 After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son. And Isaac settled at Beer-lahai-roi.

                                                                      – Genesis 25:1-11

GENESIS 25 ABRAHAM LIVED 175 YEARS

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

When Sarah died, Abraham took Keturah as his wife

It was from her that he had another six offspring

The Lord was faithful to fulfill his promise to Abraham

Descendants were now unstoppable from growing

Abraham lived 175 years and was prospered by the Lord

He purchased a field from the Hittites where he and Sarah were buried.

God continued to fulfill his covenant promise to Abraham. He had more children from Keturah, but he separated all of these offspring from his son Isaac. Because it was Sarah who was to be the mother of all nations, he continued to honor that by ensuring that Isaac will be the one who will be the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise for many nations to come and where kings and the Messiah will stem from. What a faithful promise keeper God is and so was Abraham! They both never failed to honor their covenant promise with each other, even though Sarah slipped in having Hagar having Ishmael and interrupted that plan.

REFLECTION

·       Why do you think Abraham kept Isaac away from his other children?

GENESIS 24 REBEKAH AND ISAAC

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January 11

GENESIS 24

 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. – Genesis 24:59-67

GENESIS 24 REBEKAH AND ISAAC

As Rebekah and her nurse prepares to leave to meet Isaac

Abraham’s servant blessed her with a prayer of having thousands of offspring

Isaac at this time just returned from Beer-lahai-roi towards Negeb

And the servant met Isaac and told him what had happened.

Then Rebekah and Isaac met and she was taken into his mother’s tent

They married and he loved Rebekah and was comforted from his mother’s death.

In our day and age, this kind of arranged marriage can be unthinkable, but in this case, it was God’s doing that Rebekah was chosen to be Isaac’s wife. How people find their partners is very different nowadays. It is mostly purely based on attraction and feelings. It’s like purchasing a commodity especially when you can choose someone from a dating website now. Not many people consult the Lord to find their life partners. Maybe some Christian families still do, but oftentimes, people just pick who they want without any deeper thought on what it would be like to live forever with this person. If they don’t like them, they can just dispose or leave them. The sanctity of marriage is now a rarity.

REFLECTION

  • Share your insight on how marriage is being defiled by the world now.
  • Why is it important for us to consult the Lord with who we will marry?

GENESIS 24 OBEDIENCE WITHOUT DELAY

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January 10

GENESIS 24

50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing has come from the Lord; we cannot speak to you bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has spoken.”

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.”  – Genesis 24:50-57

GENESIS 24 OBEDIENCE WITHOUT DELAY

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

After the servant’s narrative about his journey and purpose

Bethuel and Laban gave the decision for Rebekah to make

The entire family were gifted with much jewelry and garments

Laban and Rebekah’s mother requested for another ten days

But the servant had to insist that they do right away as the Lord prompted

And Rebekah willingly conformed to be Isaac’s wife and go with him. 

This account gives us a picture of how it is important to obey the Lord when prompted without delay. When Laban and his mother were convincing the servant to wait another ten days before they leave, the Spirit of the Lord prodded the servant. He reminded them that since the Lord had prospered his journey and led him to Rebekah, there was no reason for them to delay it. I suspect that since his master Abraham was getting very old and also had that urgency to bring home a wife to Isaac, probably before he goes.

Sometimes, when we allow delays with obeying the Lord, we can be tempted to distractions that may change our mind and gear it to disobedience.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important for us to obey without delay when we are prompted by God?

GENESIS 24 THE SERVANT’S WITNESSING TO GOD’S LEADING

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January 9

GENESIS 24

42 “I came today to the spring and said, ‘O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, if now you are prospering the way that I go, 43 behold, I am standing by the spring of water. Let the virgin who comes out to draw water, to whom I shall say, “Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,” 44 and who will say to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,” let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.’

45 “Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ 46 She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels drink also. 47 Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms. 48 Then I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right wayto take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. 49 Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”

                                                                        – Genesis 24:42-49

GENESIS 24 THE SERVANT’S WITNESSING TO GOD’S LEADING

Abraham’s servant didn’t waste any time to relate to Rebekah’s family on his journey to come to their place to find Isaac a wife. It must have been interesting how the family heard of their kin actually finding a wife for his son from their own family of origin.  By this time, over twenty-five years have passed since the time Abraham left that place in his seventies. If he had Isaac at a hundred years old, add possibly twenty years as Isaac is in his marrying age now. That would have been close to fifty years of Abraham’s absence. These relatives must not have seen him that long

What is so clear in this account is the servant’s witnessing to the family how the Lord led him on this journey to land to the first woman at the well, who was exactly coming from his master’s kin. How amazing is that? He exhibited an undying loyalty to his master as Abraham is also very faithful to the Lord especially in fulfilling his part of the covenant he made with God.

REFLECTION

  • Share a time that you witnessed to God’s lead to do something in your life.

GENESIS 24 THE SERVANT ANNOUNCES TO LABAN HIS PURPOSE

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January 8

GENESIS 24

34 So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35 The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, camels and donkeys. 36 And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old, and to him he has given all that he has. 37 My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell, 38 but you shall go to my father’s house and to my clan and take a wife for my son.’ 39 I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’ 40 But he said to me, ‘The Lord, before whom I have walked, will send his angel with you and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my clan and from my father’s house. 41 Then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my clan. And if they will not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’ – Genesis 24:34-41

GENESIS 24 THE SERVANT ANNOUNCES TO LABAN HIS PURPOSE

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

Abraham’s servant was open and honest with his purpose

He didn’t want to mislead Laban as to the reason why he was there

He also spoke of his master’s instructions for a wife for Isaac

He declared his master’s faithful obedience to the Lord

The servant gave Laban all the details he needed to know

He was relentless to ensure that he follow Abraham’s instructions.

We witness another character of the servant of Abraham in this account. He could have waited until he was given the comfort that was offered by Rebekah and Laban, but he was focused on his purpose of going to their homeland. Abraham has truly been a great witness and teacher to his servant with regards to obedience, allegiance and diligence. He didn’t want them to focus on his own needs, but to fulfill his promise to his master.

We can learn much from this servant. His allegiance and obedience shine bright. Do we have this faithful heart to serve our King Jesus? Do we obey him at all times even when no one is watching? Do we fulfill our promise to our King to follow his laws?

REFLECTION

  • How relentless are you to follow God’s instructions and be selfless when we carry out God’s purpose in our lives?

GENESIS 24 LABAN’S FOCUS ON THE RICHES GIVEN TO REBEKAH

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January 7

GENESIS 24

29 Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban. Laban ran out toward the man, to the spring. 30 As soon as he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and heard the words of Rebekah his sister, “Thus the man spoke to me,” he went to the man. And behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 31 He said, “Come in, O blessed of the Lord. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.” 32 So the man came to the house and unharnessed the camels, and gave straw and fodder to the camels, and there was water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33 Then food was set before him to eat. But he said, “I will not eat until I have said what I have to say.” He said, “Speak on.”  – Genesis 24:29-33

GENESIS 24 LABAN’S FOCUS ON THE RICHES GIVEN TO REBEKAH

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

The jewelry given to Rebekah by the servant stimulated Laban

We see Laban’s ulterior motives in giving hospitality to the servant

Even though he isn’t the father of Rebekah, he made sure he doesn’t miss out

The servant’s priority was not convenience but to bring a wife for Isaac.

It is clear that the riches manifested in the gifts given to Rebekah by the stranger was the reason for taking him in by Laban, the brother. Though we know that Rebekah’s hospitality was genuine because she didn’t know anything about the man who asked her for a drink, she gave him water and also his camels. That isn’t the same with Laban though.  We see that Laban’s interest was stirred by his dazzlement with the riches offered to his sister. It was self-serving motives. The opposite is true of the servant. He was thinking more of his master’s purpose for sending him there rather than the comfort and convenience offered to him by Laban.

Don’t we humans fall prey to this selfish streak in us? We try to find out what we could get in return for a good deed we intend to do instead of doing it out of love. Most humans are not truly seeking the good of others, but we are concerned more to see what we can get from an act. When we do this, we are not truly loving but only “transactional”.

REFLECTION

  • How can wealth and riches distract us from truly doing what is right and good?
  • Why is it important for us to be mindful of our selfish streaks as human beings?

GENESIS 24 ABRAHAM’S SERVANT PRAISES GOD

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    January 6

GENESIS 24

22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels, 23 and said, “Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” 24 She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” 25 She added, “We have plenty of both straw and fodder, and room to spend the night.” 26 The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord 27 and said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the Lord has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen.” 28 Then the young woman ran and told her mother’s household about these things. – Genesis 24:22-28

GENESIS 24 ABRAHAM’S SERVANT PRAISES GOD

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

After Rebekah showed much hospitality to the servant

He gave her a gold ring and two bracelets for her arms

He asked about her family and who they were

It is at this time the servant realized she is Abraham’s kin

So, he praised and worshiped the Lord for answered prayer

He himself witnessed God’s faithfulness to his godly master.

Notice that the servant gave the jewelry to Rebekah even before he knew that she was his master’s relative. It was surely the work of the Holy Spirit that led him to show kindness to Rebekah as she did to him. It was a clear manifestation that the Holy Spirit led him to his prayer and to be at that right place at the right time when Rebekah was going to be there. Oftentimes we fail to notice the little nudging of God’s Spirit in us, especially when we are tunnel vision to do things our way. If we only pray fervently and in the Spirit of God and in truth, we will clearly see the work of the Spirit of God.

We get a glimpse of the faithfulness of Abraham’s servant in this account as well as he followed his master’s example of prayerfulness. Even though he didn’t know how someone would actually come with him to marry Isaac, he prayed and it was answered.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it essential for believers to give thanks and praise God especially for answered prayers?

GENESIS 24 GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS

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January 5

GENESIS 24

15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder. 16 The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maidenwhom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. 17 Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.” 18 She said, “Drink, my lord.” And she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink. 19 When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” 20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels. 21 The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not. – Genesis 24:15-21

GENESIS 24 GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

While still praying, Abraham’s servants request was answered

Rebekah appeared right in front of him with a jar on her shoulder

As his prayer specified, a woman who is so beautiful came

She was also very kind and generous to help the servant

She went out of her way to even give his camels a drink

That was more than enough sign from God to grant him his plea.

The evidence of God answering fervent prayers is so clear in this account. Just like in Daniel’s prayer in chapter 9, while he was still speaking, there was a reply right away from the Lord. James 5:16 also tells us that there is power in the prayer of a righteous man. We clearly see that Abraham’s servant was righteous. He interceded for his faithful master Abraham so that he will find the right woman for Isaac.

The servant asked to be led to Abraham’s kinsmen and while he was still in prayer, Rebekah appeared and showed him much kindness and hospitality. Clearly, it was an answered prayer for him to find Abraham’s relatives right away. She was the first woman to appear while he was still finishing his prayers. Only God can do that.

REFLECTION

  • Share an instance when your prayers were answered right away by the Lord.

GENESIS 24 ABRAHAM’S SERVANT’S PRAYER

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January 4

GENESIS 24

10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, taking all sorts of choice gifts from his master; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor. 11 And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time when women go out to draw water. 12 And he said, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.”  – Genesis 24:10-14

GENESIS 24 ABRAHAM’S SERVANT’S PRAYER

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

My Lord, please give my master Abraham favor

He wants to honor your covenant with him for Isaac’s sake

Let the woman whom you have reserved for Isaac come to me

Let the one you chose show kindness to me as a sign of your answer

Give favor to my master that the right woman will be here for Isaac

Show me that right one whom you have planned to fulfill your promise.

In this account, we witness how Abraham’s servant was truly trained in faith by him. As one of the most senior of his servants, he probably witnessed many miracles and blessings that the Lord has granted his master. He must have seen how obedient Abraham was to the Lord and learned that same obedience to follow his master. Even though he was doubting at the beginning if he would` find someone to go back with him to marry Isaac, he pressed on and prayed for the impossible.

REFLECTION

  • What can we learn from Abraham’s servant in this account?
  • Why is prayer an important component in the fulfillment of God’s promises to us?
  • Why is it a good idea to pray even when we doubt at first?

What happens when we raise our requests to the Lord?

GENESIS 24 ABRAHAM MAKES HIS SERVANT MAKE AN OATH

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January 3

GENESIS 24

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.” 9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.

                                                                   – Genesis 24:1-9

GENESIS 24 ABRAHAM MAKES HIS SERVANT MAKE AN OATH

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

To ensure that Abraham’s covenant with God is fulfilled

Abraham made his servant promise to find the right wife for Isaac

She must not come from the Canaanites and made him swear

Though the servant hesitated, he made the oath to his master.

It is interesting that Abraham, in his old age, continues to think of his covenant promise with God. By now, Isaac has not yet married and Abraham wanted to make sure that he marries from his own kindred. There were doubts from the servant that the woman he finds will even come with him and travel all the way to meet Isaac from where they are.

Because they were living in Canaan that time and it was the promised land to Abraham and his offspring, he didn’t want Isaac to leave the place. Up to this point, Abraham kept his end of the covenant in his promise to God. 

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think Abraham didn’t want Isaac to come with the servant?