Years ago, I saw pictures of a couples retreat where the husband was blindfolded and in the driver’s seat of a golf cart. The wife sat in the passenger’s seat giving him instructions to drive through an obstacle course. The husband’s path was completely unknown. He had to listen carefully to his wife and simply follow her guidance one yard at a time.
Just like Abraham, Isaac, and Rebekah in Genesis 23 and 24, there are times in our lives that we cannot see more than one step in front of us. It is in those times that we need another to lead us. We try to seek out bank accounts, powerful people, friends, and family to be the one who leads us. Yet, their guidance can’t always be trusted. We must trust the One who can be trusted every time! Trust the Lord.
TRUST GOD WHEN PROMISES SEEM FAR AWAY
Genesis 23
Chapter 23 begins with announcing Sarah’s death. She dies at the age of 127 and it has been 37 years since Isaac was born. In verse 2, Abraham mourns and weeps over his wife’s death. He shows genuine grief for the loss of his wife.
Years ago, I attended a funeral of a beloved church member. The church leadership indicated (indirectly and directly) that more mature believers should not show much, if any, emotion at the passing of a loved one. We were grieving a heavy loss, but it was considered spiritually immature to show emotion.
There are some who have drawn a conclusion that true spiritual believers ought not grieve over the death of other believers. They have reasoned that crying for the death of believers is not needed because they are in heaven. Yes, if they accepted God’s gift of salvation, they are in heaven (“to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”), praise the Lord! However, biblical faith does not pretend that loss is void of hurt.
However, biblical faith does not pretend that loss is void of hurt.
We rejoice for those gone before us to heaven, but we still mourn the loss we experience. In fact, trying to fast forward past the loss with an absence of mourning, will cause long term negative impact.
Other relationships will suffer.
Emotional numbness can set in, the avoidance of painful feelings, but healthy emotions (joy, affection) will also be stunted.
Your own healing from loss does not resolve and you only delay needed healing.
Guilt or regret can settled in as the norm without processing loss.
Unhealthy coping mechanisms can become damaging substitutes (like: alcohol or porn to find relief, overworking to fill the void loss has left, and isolation and depression enable hiding from loss).
Ecclesiastes 3:4 teaches us that there is “a time weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” God created our bodies to require time for it all. Grieving loss is appropriate, needed, and biblical!
In verse 4, Abraham purchases a burial place from the Hittites. This is an interesting situation because the burial place in the ancient Near East culture was very significant. It established an enduring connection to a particular piece of land and Abraham wants permanent possession of this land. This acquisition also stands out because God had promised Abraham the land in which he was already living. However, at this point, he is basically a resident alien in Canaan. He even calls himself a “stranger and sojourner” in verse 4. This is where faith in God becomes vital. Abraham acquires the field and cave for a burial place in the land God has promised to give him. Also, notice that Sarah does not live to see the promise fulfilled.
What God promised remains true even when circumstances seem to contradict it.
Your marriage is not yet the clearest picture of God’s love for the church…your child has chosen to rebel against God…your finances do not make sense…or you have prayed for something for years…faith does not require us to see the whole picture before we trust the One who made such promises.
TRUST GOD WHEN YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW HE WILL PROVIDE
Genesis 24:12-49
The next chapter begins revealing that Abraham is old, Isaac is needs a wife, and Abraham does not want his son to marry a Canaanite (they did not worship the LORD, were known for sinful lifestyles, and Abraham feared such a woman would pull Isaac away from God). So, Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for his son.
The cultural significance of marriage at this time in history is very much different from the Western romantic decision we associate with in the USA. For Abraham’s time, marriage weaved together family, inheritance, lineage, religion, and other extended family relationships. So, as the father, Abraham is thinking way beyond his son’s immediate happiness. The right choice of a wife is greatly important as Isaac is the one through whom God would fulfill His covenant promise.
Abraham sends his oldest servant to his own relatives, but makes him take an oath first, using the phrase “put your hand under my thigh.” Commentators (Keil & Delitzsch; Barnes’ Notes) connect the “thigh” to the belief that it was “the seat of generative power” and the hand under the thigh symbolized that person’s acknowledgement and obedience. This oath concerns the future family generations through whom God has promised to work. So, it is a huge oath and is so much more than simply arranging a marriage.
The servant does not simply charge ahead with his own plan, he prays (24:12-14). The servant watches, waits, and then recognizes God’s answer as Rebekah responds in step with the sign he prayed God would use to lead him. He asks for water, and Rebekah gives him water and offers to water his camels. That is a lot of water! Camels can drink substantial amounts of water after a journey. In fact, a dehydrated camel can drink 21 to 26 gallons of water in one sitting (if it was the hot and dry season, they would drink up to 53 gallons)! Keep in mind, this servant has 10 camels with him (v. 10)! What Rebekah has offered is no small task. This shows Abraham’s servant an example of Rebekah’s character.
Air travel can be faster than a car, convenient, and frustrating all at the same time. Do you know what I mean? I have been about to board a plane when a steward comes on the speakers to say, “Hello everyone. Looks like there is bad weather at our destination. So, this flight will be delayed” Or I have been in the air on the plane, only to hear the captain say, “There is a traffic jam on the runway, and they do not have room for us yet. So, we will be in a holding pattern for bit. Hold tight. It will be a few.” Then the plane slows way down or literally moves to flying in a circular pattern. We wish planes would move out of the way, just for us. We get impatient and frustrated that our scheduled has been hijacked.
This servant had no other choice but to wait for the Lord to make His move! When we are in a holding pattern, and do not understand what God is doing, we ought to do what we know to do and then trust God with what only He knows. You may not yet see the answer you seek, but you can pray to God, obey God the ways you do understand, and watch and wait to follow God’s provision. Are you doing what you know God has commanded while you wait for God to give more guidance and provision?
TRUST GOD WITH THE FUTURE YOU CANNOT CONTROL
Genesis 24:50-67
The servant has made the request, and Rebekah now has to decide. This decision is huge! She is being asked to leave her family and friends, travel to a distant land with a stranger, and marry a man she has never met. Her answer? “I will go” (v 58). This is an extraordinary act of faith! She is literally walking into an unknown future.
During my high school years, I acted in numerous school plays. On opening night, the auditorium filled up. We had a packed house! This drama was one of the key highlights of the school calendar. At the end of Act 1, the lights went dark for dramatic affect; however, some of the glow tape had been accidentally covered up on the left side of the stage and one actor could not find his way off stage. The lights came up for Act 2, and this actor was standing near the stage door (close the edge of the stage), facing the audience with his hands in the air, patting the air in his attempt to find the wall. He was in a holding pattern, unable to find his own way off stage. It wasn’t until the lights revealed the exit that he got off stage.
The servant, Rebekah, Abraham, and Isaac were all in a holding pattern. They were waiting for God to provide the way. When Rebekah arrives, Isaac is in the field alone as the caravan approaches. The long wait is over. His bride has arrived and they are married.
God brought together two people who could not see the future, but it required their willingness to trust God one step at a time. A stage of your life may feel dark, and the way may seem invisible. However, just because you cannot see God working, does not mean God is doing nothing. He is working to provide your need, to guide your steps, and to strengthen your faith in Him! Trust the One who can be trusted every time. Trust the Lord.