Bibledoorajar Looks at Matters of the Heart

The girl accepted a nose ring and two arm bracelets made of gold!!! Now this, especially the nose ring part, may be a little hard for a 21st century person to understand. It's a little hard for me to understand as I have a tendency to evaluate it in the light of God having forbidden His people to pierce their bodies. However, this event appears to have had great meaning to both Rebecca and her family so it must have been as an accepted sign as our exchanging of rings today. I heard a preacher say one time that one should think of a farmer bringing home his prize cow via a nose ring, and to think of the bracelets as slave manacles when you read this story. I was offended then,  but now I can accept this imagery because you find illusions in the Song of the bride of Solomon being like "royal horses under control". And there is that O.T. example where the slave takes an ear piercing to show his lifelong devotion to his master (Exodus 21: 5,6). It is imagery and it obviously is meant to carry a great deal of meaning in regard to relationships. I guess the real question for me becomes, am I willing to outwardly show in my behavior that I am totally submitted to my bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ? And to that, I want my answer to be a resounding "yes"!

Isaac's bride was special. She was kind, generous and industrious. These are the traits that the Holy Spirit is seeking in a bride for Christ.  The servant spoke only of his master and his son and Rebecca loved them though unseen. Just as the servant was ecstatic with his find, so the Holy Spirit is with those He finds for the Christ, knowing this will please the Father. Rebecca is famous for her two "I wills". Will she go with this man? She will. Will you allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate Jesus in your life to the point that you can only think of going to Him?  Will your answer be "I will"?

Bibledoorajar Meets the Family

The girl had been living north of Ur. She probably knew everyone that lived there and she probably knew the story of her Uncle Abraham who left the family and started across the terrible desert to reach a land promised by God. But her family, that of Nahor, had not gone on and it is doubtful that this young girl ever expected to live anywhere else. But things have a way of changing if God is involved. Now the servant had inquired about her family and had asked if there was room for he and his entourage where she lived. Yes, her answer had been yes, and we are left to imagine her swift run home ahead of the entourage wearing her newly acquired trophies. Soon she made out the shape of her brother Laban and as soon as he saw the jewelry, and heard her report, he ran to meet the entourage.  Laban saw all the riches which laden the backs of the camels. Now Laban may have already been a hospitable guy, but when he saw those camels he became hospitable in deed! Quickly he ordered that the animals be cared for and water be offered to soothe the feet of the weary travelers. And, yes, food must be prepared. But no, stop, the servant said. None of that until the mission can be  fully revealed and the purpose of the visit be settled. Now, the question before us is will God's selection of Rebecca for Isaac be accepted by the family?

I once saw a family in counseling. The problem was presented thus: "Ever since our daughter got saved she wants to do nothing else but pursue God. We want her to go to church, but we think she has gone a little overboard with all of this religion. She sits on our patio all the time praying." As I talked with the young eighteen year old it was clear that no mental illness was present. She had just accepted the nose ring and the bracelets. She was absorbed with the idea of being His bride. When I counseled the parents to be patient and to allow the girl the privilege of exploring this new relationship in her own way, they became very angry. They insisted I diagnose some mental illness. But when the girl heard my words, her countenance brightened and she thanked me for understanding. I often wonder what life was like at home afterwards for that girl. But I know if she continued to make room for  the Servant to take her to the bridegroom she became the wealthiest member of the family.

Bibledoorajar Applauds New Beginnings

We are witnessing an arranged marriage in our story. Most would agree that an arranged marriage is only as good as those arranging it. Abraham had been careful to select a faithful third party to make the arrangements. He had considered culture and family values. The faithful third party had been serious about his responsibility in the matter and had asked his master's God for help even to the point of asking for a sign. Today, some say that God does not care about the decision of whom we marry. Others want God involved from the beginning of something as important as marriage. It does seem questionable for a Christian to not involve God in the beginning of the process if they are going to trust Him to help sustain the marriage for the rest of its' duration.  At any rate, our servant felt that Divine providence was needed and now he had the girl before him. She was beautiful and the servant gazed at her as she provided water for his entourage and animals. Was this the girl that would make his trip successful? Having the requirements of the sign met, the servant was ready to meet the parents. He takes a gold nose ring and two gold bracelets and asked the girl this question. Who's daughter are you and do your parents have room for us to stay the night?

Proponents of arranged marriages say the system works well within their culture. In some cultures the couple have no choices in the matter. But in our story we will see that the potential bride did have a say in the matter. Rebecca accepted the nose ring and bracelets that the servant offered in the name of his master and ran to the home of her parents. The servant fell to his knees and thanked God for His providence.

"I thought I'd give you something shiny and new

I tried to find something worthy of you

But I realized when I look inside

There's some things that money cannot buy."

The gift sung by 98 Degrees

Bibledoorajar For The Sample

     Bibledoorajar congratulates a special reader on her recent retirement from 38 years of teaching young third graders. She has had the summer to sample life without teaching as has been her long practice, but at the end of the month this sample of life without school will blossom into its fullness. Enjoy the rewards of retirement sweet lady, you deserve it. I know the Lord has great plans for how your gifts will be used in this next phase of your life.

"Furthermore, you who heard the message of truth, the Good News offering you deliverance, and put your trust in the Messiah were sealed by him with the promised Holy Spirit, who guarantees our inheritance until we come into possession of it and thus bring him praise commensurate with His glory."  (Paul to the Ephesian Christian Community--1:13ff)

The Servant had talked with Rebecca and had given her a foretaste of what life would be life in the home of his Master. He sealed the foretaste with gifts of silver and gold jewelry, together with clothing now in her possession. He also gave valuable gifts to her brother and mother. These gifts told her that though she had not received all that his Master had for her, they were a sample of what life would be like--a down payment of sorts on a wonderful inheritance to come. The richness of the gifts were a comfort to Rebecca's family. She would be loved with a special love--a wonderful taste of the life that God, Adonai,  had planned for her. But what would Rebecca's answer be? What would her family say?

You and I have been given gifts which forecast what our everlasting love life will be like. We are not ordinary people anymore; no longer of this world, but of another of which we have been given a foretaste.

"So if you were raised along with Christ, then seek the things above, where Christ is sitting at the
right hand of God. FOCUS YOUR MINDS ON THE THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON THING HERE ON EARTH." (Paul to the Colosse Christian Community--3: 1ff)