Abrahams Unnamed Servant (Part B)

The servant brings up the possibility of failure. Abraham answers that possibility with faith.

Beware that you do not take my son back there. The Lord God of heaven who took me from my father's house and from the land of my family and who spoke to me and swore to me saying to your descendents I give this land. He will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from their that's Abraham's answer to doubt the other one brings up possibilities.

Abraham brings up faith. This is cross reference radio with our pastor and teacher Rick Gaston. Rick is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville. Pastor Rick is currently teaching through the book of Genesis. Please stay with us after today's message more information about cross reference radio, specifically how you can get a free copy of this teaching. Now here's Pastor Rick with this study called Abraham's unnamed servant today. Hill started Proverbs chapter 18. In India there is a gesture among some of those who live in India when they are in the presence of the patriarchs of their family.

There is a gesture with a sort of bowing and and touched behind the legs of the one that they're showing respect to, and this likely required that the servant knelt down before Abraham and and sealed the agreement that he entered in, but this too much to talk about how we went about this.

He is the chief steward wall that Abraham has. Even though, as we've discussed, I don't believe he is a liaison and he is one of the most attractive minor characters in all the Bible that alone stands out to me because that means I can be a minor character whose outstanding and you cannot miss him and you cannot miss any servant of God who assumes the role regardless of how minor it may be considered to be amongst men, and with his quiet good sense his faith and his devotion to Abraham. We are drawn to him. Listen to what it says in Proverbs 1816 a man's gifts make room for him and brings him before great men.

That's this man. He is gifted and God is brought him before Abraham, whom God has blessed more than anyone alive at this time and yet this man is servant in Abraham's home entrusted with everything that is dear to Abraham from his worldly possessions to the future of his son outstanding remarkable. We watch him firmly seeing matters through with loyalty and success which is supposed to say to us, loyalty and success. There's a concept that's something we don't see today. We do see it sometimes, but it is not dominant. These are not dominant virtues in our society people are loyal to Satan. Their loyal to themselves. If you can call it loyalty but a sense of duty, sense of victory, victory is a scriptural I dear right now this is the church militant, but the time is coming when we will be the church victorious. We would've conquered, we would've ceased from all of our labors because of wood. God's promised because what he is doing what he has done and will do we take this by faith, which will enter into the story and so this servant has acquired insight into human nature as servants do are entrusted with that which is in the hands of their masters.

In other words, by being entrusted with this. He is getting experience and the experience that he is getting is about people and is using this experience about people to better serve his master. That is what he exist for. Look at verses four and five of Genesis 24 Abraham says, but you shall go to my country and to my family and take a wife for my son Isaac in there again is the principal of being properly yoked the people of God, and in an illustration. It has a historical meaning that is what it literally meant when Abraham spoke it and then it has an application in the New Testament and that we see God said, you shall not take those outside of the blood of Christ to be your spouse. Those within the family of God. In verse five he continues in the servant said to him. Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land as I take your son back to the land from which you came. And that's Abraham's letter goes off. I told you look at verse six.

But Abraham said you where you do not take my son back there to say again is driving that point homeless and on the plane with you the support of conversation is having with his oldest and most trusted servant, and so what we also getting out of this. In addition to that, he has this insight into human nature to she might not want to come. We also see that is still free will.

She has a choice.

She has a say-so that almost gets lost as we begin to see Laban enter into the picture, but it's not.

It's part of the story because it was part of the culture she had every right to say I will not go just as unbelievers have every right to say to Jesus, I will not go just as believers have every right to say I will not go anymore any father any longer. However, you want to phrase it. The servant brings up the possibility of failure. Abraham answers that possibility with faith. Beware that you do not take my son back there. The Lord God of heaven who took me from my father's house and from the land of my family and who spoke to me and swore to me saying to your descendents I give this land.

He will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from their that's Abraham's answer to doubt the other one brings up possibilities.

Abraham brings up faith. Does it win the servant doesn't change does it impact has Joe says how forceful are right words are these words right absolutely. By the time the story is over. He's going to be preaching those identical words of the household of Laban is going to be talking about faith and the angel of the Lord and going to see just how much he learned from a from Abraham. So we watch him carry out his word and his work before we even realize were liking before even know what's going on as were reading through this chapter, he becomes someone that we are paying attention to before we know about types before we know about. He is the Holy Spirit and type before we know about. He is the servant in the church and type.

We are still attracted to him carries out his word and his work as I mentioned as a master servant sort of oxymoron servants, not the master, but he has mastered being a servant of Jehovah is not just Abraham serve Abraham's God is his God and this empowers him to be this man as a text that says, and there he stood by the camels at the well. The whole time he's standing there.

He's knowing God is unfolding.

The answer that his master sent him to get that's faith that string.

This is something that is beautiful.

We are educated by his textbook service.

We wanted to be. So we know is right.

We know this is yes this is that this is what I'm not finding in the workplace. This is what I'm not finding in the universities. This is what I'm not finding somewhere in life, but I'm finding it here in God's word. This is what I have been looking for and I did not even know it until I've been exposed to it.

The many Christians need to hear everything I just said about service, but also what I'm about to say he is a servant and a gentleman. How many times have you come across a Christian who is not a gentleman.

How many times have they been quick to tell you that there saved that they go to church, that they are being used by God but they're not a gentleman shows us satisfying blend of dignity and humility. As he moved from one part of that world to another part of that world never stops being the man that Abraham appointed him to be one kind to say that of me. I want God to says you've moved through this life. Everywhere that I have found you, you never stop being the man I have been making you to be in Christ Jesus.

That's what I want God to do for me. That's why I love this is why think all Christians should love this man well seasoned with wisdom and the execution of his task how many Christians you find it lacking. They're not season, they had not experienced yet that quick to want to be the leader that quick to want to have a dominant position of visible position. A say-so do not execute their task as they ought to do will see him also moving through this 24th chapter. Maybe not tonight within your own reading time, smoothing the way for all hands that are involved. He makes things happen that otherwise would not have happened because surprises have popped up because resistance that has surfaced but he moves over those things. He answers the objections and the ones that he cannot answer. He moves forward in spite of them cautiously, but effective handling of crafty Laban's antics is extraordinary and insightful. Turn with me to verse 55 now this is the latter part of the story while while he was by the well. Laban eventually comes out brings him into the city into his home and after he closes the arrangement solidifies the covenant that indeed Rebecca is going to be the wife of Isaac.

Laban wants more time so he can work his con so that he can be find the opportunity to be opportunistic. He needs time to do that and so he objects to them leaving right away and he suggested I stay 10 days he that would give him time to work his con.

We know this from the life of Jacob. I am not saying that Laban is lost and in hell. But I am saying he was a carnal man. He is not a role muscle in Scripture. But in verse 55 it says her brother. That's Laban and her mother said the mama Greenwood Laban used was the dominant male figure in the home. Even though the father is still alive is probably too old to really be have his head in the game is is let the young women let the young woman stay with us a few days at least 10.

After that she may go and what he is saying if I haven't worked my con on you by 10 days, I'll ask for another 10 days. That's what he would do because that's what he did with Jacob. Verse 56 and he said to them, do not hinder me, since the Lord. This is the servant speaking to Laban now. Do not hinder me, since the Lord is prospered my way send me away so that I may go to my master knows how to handle this is saying listen. This is done by ministering to my master and is you are now getting in my way, verse, verse 57 so they said well we will call the young woman and ask her personally. Laban is thinking she loves me. I'm her big brother had been good to her. I've only caused one of the camels eight times a day a set of 8 1/2, so she loves me, he is about to be disappointed. Verse 58. Then they called Rebecca and sees and said to her you come with this man.

She said I will come out here. The fact he probably had us bags under her arms that she's answering him. This pictures conversion will you go with this Jesus Christ. I will sing about all my other relationships. Division may never see those blatant so she likely never again return home. Even though she's had Jacob there to save his life from Esau.

But again, servant has appealed to her. He has won her that he is done this with some tricks that might be too harsh word but he is pulled some moves as God does with us, Lord, does not say just believe me, he gives us things to believe he shows himself to us.

He presents himself he gives us many infallible proofs. He does not say jump blindly. He says consider. He says come let us reason and as we begin to reason.

We have proof enough that is precisely what is happened to her. He learned the sense of urgency to comply with his instructions from Abraham first. Again we go back to verse 54. Any and he and the men who were with him, ate and drank, stayed all night then they arose in the morning and he said send me away to my master and that's when Laban began to resist the servant learn to act to seize the moment of Jehovah that doesn't sound like very much into you begin to see how many times Christians don't do this God is made his will clear what is spoken to us. I want you to do this and we hesitate is no hesitation in this oldest servant of Abraham. I said no he got that from Abraham and I'm going to show you from the Scripture how Abraham treated moments of urgency in this great urgency about all of this before I read that from Abraham. This look with me in verse 17 of Genesis 24 the servant ran to meet her and then verse 28, so the young woman ran and told her mother's household and then we read it again. Verse 29 that Rebecca had a brother whose name was Laban and Laban ran out to meet the man by the well servant ran to meet Rebecca. Rebecca ran home to tell every body.

Laban heard it ran out to meet the mass of visits. All of this activity going on. God knows precisely what he's doing so does the servant and now he won't be held back from his run home with the price the prize is what we are to Jesus we are prize to him.

Not in a cheap sense with something that is wonderful, something to be desired. Something to be spent upon to get Genesis 17. This is Abraham acting when God said it is smell out the house. Watch how quickly Abraham responded tells us in verse 23 of Genesis 72. Abraham took Ishmael the son, all who were born in his house, and all will bought with his money every male among the men of Abraham's house circle and partly I said this was when he was putting his dogs when he was circumcised and circumcise the flesh of their foreskins. That very same day as God had said to him, and so God says I want you to circumcise the men of your house, the ones you've bought the ones were born your house every male any, doesn't that day.

No delay, and then in 19 Genesis 19 verse 27. This is when Sodom and Gomorrah was being judged. And Abraham arose the next day and it says and Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. He had prayed for Sodom and Gomorrah get interceded on its behalf. Incidentally, with the exception of that prayer for Sodom and Gomorrah. The prayers of this servant. The second time in the book of Genesis that prayers are recorded and I think that alone is significant to this on manservant that if you got a name servant that if you are going to be such a child of God. Prayer is got to be part of your faith.

What makes us not want to pray doubt. Why bother going to do it too is going to do anyway yeah but no matter what he does, you will be part of this should pray it's not win columns you know I got 20 wins and invent three losses might Myron run averages but is not statistical its faith is an act of obedience is inactive. I care about what you care about and a Samuel said I should not sin against the Lord by not praying can escape. No Christian has to depend on another person to pray for them, but we want to because we can pray directly.

Chapter 21 of Genesis verse 14 we read again about Abraham complying this time it is about putting Ishmael else. So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread in the skin of water and putting it on her shoulder that is Hagar a David and the boy to Hagar and sent her away as tough. That's what God told him to do. Abraham created that mess as we do whenever you want to bring about a victory for God and us in your own strength you creating a Hagar and it will come back and enslave you.

It will put you in a situation that you will regret there is reality there are realities in this life that are inescapable and we must sober up and approach life in the presence of God. Realizing that we are more dependent than we imagine. Genesis 22 verse three. Another illustration so Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son and he split the wood. The burnt offering, and arose, and went to the place of which God told him God said I want you to sacrifice your son son. Abraham got up early in the morning and attack that we we read about this in the life of Joshua to and I'm of the mind that Joshua knew the stories I'm of the mind that Abraham was a hero to any Jewish man. Any Jewish woman wanted to please Jehovah. We learn from him. Prayer is no substitute for action that is part of the lesson that is part of the urgency that belongs to the life of Abraham.

Once he was sure of God's will and God's commandment in his life. He moved on and if it is in the midst he should find out that it was his own will and he was to abandon his plan and seek the Lord yet again. This servant in chapter 24 never owns anything more than the title servant. As I mentioned 14 times in 15 statements or it is applied to him no name, no possessions, just the oldest servant the servant of Abraham is the only way is referred to throughout this whole chapter, the oldest servant the servant the servant of Abraham, his identity was absorbed in his masters identity sounds like Christianity was supposed to be.

We Christians are supposed to be being absorbed into the identity of Christ. Matthew's gospel chapter 20 verses 27 and 28 Jesus speaking, whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life, ransom for many.

Jesus is telling us is why I came here is what I want from you say, but I you know I never seem to hear these things and never seem to get get there, how far behind. Would you be if you gave up okay. You never hit the bull's-eye how close to the target. Would you be if you never even aimed at any point, at the direction of the target.

That's the idea behind overcoming the temptation to abandon the ideals while that's a standard as to how I'll never make it so quit snow this so thought I'm comfortable with, of all I need do is follow the Lord and stick to him this better than following the world and sticking to my flesh. This man is a shameless servant and he's letting everybody know. As he tells the story that he is a servant, and he has no inhibitions about never do we hear of him speaking on his own behalf outside of the context of obeying Abraham is the finest type appearing as the old as the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament within a take these New Testament verses if you been attending this church or any time length of time you know you we read these often but we need to go over them yet again. John's gospel chapter 14 verse 26 but the helper, the Holy Spirit whom the father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you know that handling of the five things to bring remembrance it was to bring the contract was to seal the contract, but it was to keep it before them the Holy Spirit is faithful. He does not forget what he is supposed to do. He does not forget his role he understands, and we we are not supposed to forget hours either. John's gospel chapter 15 verse 26 but the helper, that is the Paraclete in the Greek it is the Holy Spirit that's who it is talking, referring to it as Jesus. Jesus is giving each illustration I'm giving you from John. Is Jesus leaving the upper room heading towards Gethsemane is going to be crucified. That night he is investing in the day of Pentecost which is about 50 days away little bit more from from this time that he's teaching them.

He is teaching them about the Holy Spirit, the servant of God within the Trinity that will come for them and and minister to them not come for them like take them home, but to come on their behalf. But when the helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the father, the spirit of truth who proceeds from the father. He will testify of me.

That's the servant as the servant here in Genesis 24 and then John's Gospel chapter 16 verses 1713 through 17. However, when he noticed the personal pronouns all referring to the Holy Spirit, eliminating any notion that he is and it or anything. He is a person. He is 1/3 person of the Trinity member of the Godhead father-son Holy Spirit and no more.

However, when he the spirit of truth is, he will guide you into all truth for he will not speak on his own authority. Ergo, the servant in Genesis 24 not speaking about him spell itself. What about Isaac and Abraham continues, but whatever he hears he will speak and he will tell you things to come, he will glorify me, for he will take of what is mine and declare it to you. Servant took what was of Abraham and declared it to Rebecca. Genesis chapter 24 I think verse 10 servant. This is when he is leaving the camp of Abraham's is a servant took 10 of his master's camels and departed for all his masters goods were in his hand and he arose and went to Mesopotamia to the city of Mae Horn is in possession of his masters possessions on behalf of moon you've been listening to cross reference radio daily radio ministry of Pastor Rick Gaston of Calvary Chapel in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Pastor Rick is teaching from God's Word each time you tune as we mentioned at the beginning of today's broadcast is teaching is available free of charge at our website. Just visit cross reference radio.com that's cross reference radio.com would also like to encourage you to subscribe to the cross reference radio podcast subscribing ensures that you stay current with all the latest teachings from Pastor Rick you can do so@crossreferenceradio.com or search for cross reference in your favorite podcast app store. That's all for today. Join Pastor Rick for more character study right here on the cross reference or a