Genesis Chapter 24 is the story of Abraham finding a wife for his son Isaac through his servant. The story is rich in symbolism. We will see that a greater purpose is being played out in the story of finding Isaac a wife. It has a direct co-relation to God seeking brides for His Son, Jesus Christ.

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Genesis 24 is the story of Abraham finding a wife for his son Isaac through his servant.

Genesis 24:1-4: Isaac is about forty years of age when he marries Rebekah. On the Jubilee system, Christ waits forty Jubilees, 2,000 years, to claim His bride.

As Abraham sought to choose a bride for Isaac, so God calls whom He will to Christ, to be the Church, the body and bride of Christ (Jn. 6:44).

In Genesis 24:5-6 we understand that we are not to be sidetracked from God’s covenant. God will guide us by His angel (verse 7) if we are obedient. Eliezer is released from the oath if Rebekah is not willing to follow (verse 8). This typifies the Holy Spirit withdrawing from those called but not chosen who are not willing to follow.

In Genesis 24:10, Eliezer takes 10 camels. This number signifies completeness, and as camels are unclean, represents the whole of the Gentile nations. Eliezer has control of all his master’s goods. The Holy Spirit brings salvation to all as through Abraham all nations are to be blessed.

The camels kneeling to drink, pictures the nations bowing the knee before Christ. The water that Christ gives leads to eternal life (Jn. 4:14).

Eliezer prays to Eloah, the God of Abraham, the One True God, to whom we pray also.

The concept of Eliezer standing by the well (verses 13,14) refers to the many churches that come to draw water from the well of life, but the spirit (servant) is making a distinction between the churches (women).

God knows what we need (Mat. 6:8) before we ask, and Rebekah came to the well as Eliezer was praying. She "came out" - shows the Church "coming out" of the world (verse 15).

She carried a clay pitcher, and we are clay in God’s hands (Isa. 64:8). After shaping and fiery trials, which refine us, we become vessels for holy use (2Tim. 2:20,21). Rebekah was physically beautiful and a virgin. Baptism makes us spiritually beautiful, and Revelation 14:4 portrays us as virgins.

Baptism is "going down into the water" and when we "come up" we receive the Holy Spirit (verses 16,17). Christ received the Holy Spirit when He "came up" (Mat. 3:16).

In verse 21 we can liken Eliezer’s waiting to know, as Christ’s inability to know all. Only God is omniscient.

Eliezer gives Rebekah two golden bracelets and a nose ring, and asks for lodging. The bracelets weigh 20 shekels, the buying price of a woman. Christ paid the price for us, when He laid down His life.

Rebekah reveals her family is related to Abraham and that lodgings and food for both the men and camels are available (verses 24,25). Eliezer acknowledges and gives thanks to God for His providence (verses 26,27). Verses 28-31 show Laban’s interest is only in the physical wealth of the visitor. Physical Israel wanted to see the physical riches of God, before they let Him into their hearts (house). Laban was no different.

An analogy of the events leading up to the Lord’s Supper can be drawn from verse 15 with Luke 22:10, Genesis 24:32 with Mark 14:17, and the basic food of straw and feed, likened to bread and wine, and the washing of feet with John 13:5-10.

Eliezer explains that he comes in his master’s name, as a servant (verse 34). This pictures Christ who is sent on a mission by His Father (Jn. 6:38).

Laban and Bethuel accept Eliezer’s words and mission as instructions from God (verses 50,51). Rebekah is betrothed to Isaac (verses 52,53) as we are betrothed to Christ as His bride. The resurrection of Christ during the Passover sequence, and the Wave Sheaf offering can be drawn from verse 54.

The period of time for the maturity and calling of all to the Church is shown in verse 55. The elect have been called over a long period of time. "At least ten" signifies completeness, "and then she may go", that is to say the elect may go, as resurrected beings to marry Christ.

Eliezer wishes to return quickly (verse 56), as Christ returned quickly as the Wave Sheaf Offering in the morning.

Rebekah is called to make her decision to go (verse 57), as we are called and the decision is ours to follow Christ or not. She was making a lifetime commitment or covenant, as we do when accepting the call to Christ.

So the company returns, riding on camels to Abraham (verses 59-61). Rebekah (the Church) rides on the unclean camels, as the elect live within the nations but are not part of them.

In verse 61, the servant "took" Rebekah. The elect are taken and are being built into a Church, the body of Christ (1Cor. 12:27).

Isaac, in verses 62-63 goes out to meditate, and sees the "camels coming". This could be likened to the Feast of Trumpets, when Christ returns and the nations are coming to assemble before Him, for judgment.

So when Rebekah (the Church) sees Isaac (Christ), she dismounts from her camel (verse 64). That is, the Church leaves the nations in which she has been living, and is resurrected to join Christ at his return.

In verse 65, Rebekah takes a veil and covers herself. The Church is made up of spiritual virgins (2Cor. 11:2; Rev.14:4). On Christ’s return we are resurrected, and "taking the veil" means putting on a spirit body, and our earthly bodies are gone. This is our cloak.

It is through the Father’s Spirit that all things are revealed (1Cor. 2:10), as can be drawn from verse 66. The plan of salvation is concluded with the Sabbath on the eighth day, and termed the Last Great Day. The Last Great Day is a Holy Day because it represents the judgment in righteousness of the world and the final elimination of sin.