An Ancient Pilgrimage Genesis 24

Keep an account of Her. Her going out and HER coming in. Watch her as you watch for HIM, more. THE one chosen, the one HE loves. The called out for, to have and to Hold. Whom he ransomed for a GREAT price. See her, how she has made herself ready. The one, as the story is told, whom GOD spoke of. HIS servant met HER at the well. She drew for him of the DEEP waters. THE ONE chosen by the Father. Whom was pre KNOWN; kin of HIS KIND.

The one LAUGHTER, He HAS gone down now, at evening tide before they arrive. 

She lifts up her eyes and sees HIM, there is a catch in her breath as the bride enquires of the servant  (as she has already lit off the camel) “Who is this?” She asks, the servant replies, “This is my sovereign.”

The original HEBREW words of this story of ISAAC and REBEKAH paint a beautiful encounter. The sun is setting as Isaac walks out into the field to meditate. It is reasonable to believe this was something he did quite often. This time, He saw coming an entourage of camels, the servant, and his servant’s, servants. The bride, her nurse, and maidens. The Hebrew word for damsels suggest children of an  unknown age from infancy to  adolescence, the root meaning is not necessarily female, but rather child servants. Boys and Girls. Rebekah, the delightful young woman that she was, revealed her personality at the well where she met, and accommodated Abrahams servant, and his camels, with their fill of water. We can draw a safe conclusion that Rebekah was full of life, very engaging, hospitable, and played the big sister to the less fortunate of those around her. After all, the well was the place to be for a lovely girl like Rebekah. No doubt, her little brood of  admirers were gathered in the entourage, to accompany Rebekah; to grow up as her servants in the household, and shadow of the renown dwelling among the nomadic, unmistakably identifiable, even from a distance, the place of refreshing, benevolence, and hospitality … The house, the mobile city known as SARAH’S Tent.

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Sarah’s tent, renown and honored (as the original language of the scriptures describe) seemed to be more than just a dwelling among nomads. It is a picture of New Jerusalem. Sarah’s tent was a sight to be seen as soon as it came in view, gauged against the horizon.

The original Hebrew wording gives us this picture of their first encounter. Rebekah sees Isaac and the scriptures says she lited off the camel, truer to the original language, she actually dismounted the camel so enthralled and focused upon Isaac that she sort of fell into her dismount, and then regained her composure, while learning from the servant (who is a type and shadow of the Holy Ghost) that the man Rebekah sees standing in the field to greet them is her beloved. She then veiled herself in order to be identified as the one whom Father Abraham had sent for. Of all who stood before him, the veil signified his bride as the ONE among the them who were free born. Another picture in type and shadow, that Rebekah was there of her own freewill, as all are, in Christ.

The account of Rebekah’s response reveals a sense of dignity and pedigree, after the servant confirmed what her heart already knew, she immediately pulls together her covering garments for modesty, after her unassisted dismount; at the same time, the Hebrew words describe she covered the hollows of her form, and stood up to present herself as any  lady would, modestly, yet purposely, plumping the folds of the garment to give hint of her femininity; as, one commentary suggested. It is also mentioned in another commentary that she postrated herself before Isaac as Abigail did David; however, the brief passage leaves that open for discussion. It is a gesture beyond what is required but who would deny her that response? The next scene (we are told) is when Isaac takes Rebekah into his mother’s tent and was then comforted from Sarah’s death.

 Sarah’s name broken down in pictograms of the ancient Hebrew alphabet contains a “hidden” name or description of Sarah’s life; it reads like this: “The one who saw two great destructions.”  This enables us to look at Sarah whose name directly means princess, as a type and shadow of that Kingdom abode, from where the scripture says “Only with thine eyes shall you see the reward of the wicked.”  From a distance only, did Sarah see the smoke of Sodom and Gomora, as it will be for those who rest in that heavenly ECONOMY of hospitality, and benevolence; wrapped in the arms of a greater promise that that of Abraham.  This world’s two great destructions- one by water, and the other by fire, will become a distant memory as the old order of things pass away, and all things become new. Sarah’s passing takes with her the memory of the sorrows of this world. 

This ending the picture of Christ meeting His Church, the Sojourning Bride, safely handed over to Him, by the guide of all guides; even, the precious Holy Spirit that completed His work. The lovely lady, was kept in His unbroken custody to present before the Kings of Kings, and Lord of Lords; His bride, by Her own free will. Her and her entourage, forever. Her personal servant with her, a nurse named Deborah, accompanied her in her journey. The Hebrew name Deborah is translated bee which also, means word. So there you have it,  a perfect picture of the bride of Christ brought to Him, safely, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, with the assistance of the WORD OF LIFE.

Beloved, are we not in that procession this day? Bearing gifts of His own? Onyx stones, and bracelets, little bells upon the priestly hems, and ankles … surely, she has anointed herself with HIS oils and perfume. This journey is a progressive procession of joy, of righteousness, and truth, in the Holy Ghost. This is the BRIDE who made herself ready, who meets Him at the well. Escorted daily in  His accommodations, held in His sacred trust, with the WORD OF LIFE in attendance.

Song of Solomon 6:9-10 (ESV)

My dove, my perfect one, is the only one, the only one of her mother, pure to her who bore her. The young women saw her and called her blessed; the queens and concubines also, and they praised her. Who is this who looks down like the dawn, beautiful as the moon, bright as the sun, awesome as an army with banners?”

Song of Songs

“Listen! I hear my love! Look! Here he comes! He’s leaping across the mountains. He’s coming over the hills.

The one who loves me is like an antelope or a young deer. Look! There he stands behind our wall. He’s gazing through the window. He’s peering through the screen. He said to me, ‘Rise up, my love. Come with me, my beautiful one. Look! The winter is past. The rains are over and gone.

Flowers are appearing on the earth. The season for singing has come.

The cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig trees are producing their early fruit.

The flowers on the vines are giving off their sweet smell.

Rise up and come, my love. Come with me, my beautiful one.’”

..And the SPIRIT and the BRIDE call out, come now! Even come Lord Jesus!

The tie that binds “LOVED”