What does Genesis 24:1 Mean?

Study Notes

And Abraham
The entire chapter is highly typical:

(1) Abraham, type of a certain king who would make a marriage for his son Matthew 22:2 ; John 6:44 .

(2) the unnamed servant, type of the Holy Spirit, who does not "speak of himself," but takes of the things of the Bridegroom with which to win the bride John 16:13 ; John 16:14 .

(3) the servant, type of the Spirit as enriching the bride with the Bridegroom's gifts Galatians 5:22 ; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 .

(4) the servant, type of the Spirit as bringing the bride to the meeting with the Bridegroom Acts 13:4 ; Acts 16:6 ; Acts 16:7 ; Romans 8:11 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16 .

(5) Rebekah, type of the Church, the ecclesia, the "called out" virgin bride of Christ Genesis 24:16 ; 2 Corinthians 11:2 ; Ephesians 5:25-32 .

(6) Isaac, type of the Bridegroom, "whom not having seen," the bride loves through the testimony of the unnamed Servant 1 Peter 1:8 .

(7) Isaac, type of the Bridegroom who goes out to meet and receive His bride Genesis 24:63 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16 .

Context Summary

It is all-important that the children of God's people should marry only in the Lord. See 1 Corinthians 7:39. So only can we hope to perpetuate, as Malachi teaches, a godly seed. But those who live in fellowship with Him may confidently count on His angels being sent to co-operate in securing this desirable issue. Every marriage should be a matter for profound concern and much prayer, both for the parents of each, as well as for those that are to be wed. What wonder that so many marriages turn out to be a disappointment and a curse when they are entered upon so lightly and thoughtlessly! In this graphic chapter we may find a close analogy to the work of the Holy Spirit, who has come forth during the present age to seek a bride for the Son of God, in the Church that He is gathering out of the world. There is always a "peradventure" that the soul may be unwilling at first, but He plies it with overwhelming arguments, as we shall see. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 24

¹  Abraham swears his servant
¹⁰  The servant's journey
¹²  His prayer
¹⁴  His sign
¹⁵  Rebekah meets him;
¹⁸  fulfils his sign;
²²  receives jewels;
²³  shows her kindred;
²⁵  and invites him home
²⁶  The servant blesses God
²⁹  Laban entertains him
³⁴  The servant shows his message
⁵⁰  Laban and Bethuel approve it
⁵⁸  Rebekah consents to go, and departs
⁶²  Isaac meets and marries her