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?
