Will You Go With This Man?

Will You Go With This Man?

14 December, 2025

Thesis: The Holy Spirit is sent by the Father to call, to gift, and to guide a bride for his Son.

Summary: The sermon interprets the Genesis 24 narrative of Isaac and Rebecca as an allegorical depiction of the gospel, emphasizing God's sovereign initiative in salvation. It presents Abraham's quest for a wife for Isaac as a parallel to God the Father's plan to secure a bride for His Son, Jesus, underscoring the doctrine of divine election. The extensive parallels drawn between Abraham's unnamed servant and the Holy Spirit highlight the Spirit's role in calling, wooing, and guiding the chosen bride through testimony and gifts. Rebecca's willing and immediate assent to follow the servant, without having seen Isaac, is presented as an embodiment of faith and the Church's responsive acceptance of Christ. The sermon culminates with Isaac's eager anticipation and the joyous union with Rebecca, symbolizing Christ's ultimate marriage to His Church.

Sermon

Amen. Praise the Lord. Man, it feels good to be here, in God's house with God's people, singing His praises. What we are experiencing here is just a foretaste of what heaven will be, and I can't wait—I genuinely can't wait.

But until then, there's much work to do. There are so many people without Christ, so many people who need the gospel. And God allows us to have the privilege of being co-workers together with him. As we have taken this trip, and I'm not going to give you all the details. I'll save that for a whole other Sunday. But it becomes apparent just how ripe the fields are for harvest, that the harvest is truly abundant, but the laborers are few. So there is a place for you in the field. There is a work for you to do. And there is a place for every one of us. Whether that means going overseas, across the border, or across the street as a missionary, every single one of us has a message to proclaim. Because we are surrounded by people who are without hope and are without God. And the only hope for any one of us is the gospel. And praise God for what he is doing.

Now if you've got your Bibles with me this morning, turn to the book of Genesis chapter 24. We have been making our way through the book of Genesis, if you are visiting with us. And we come this morning to our text in Genesis 24. And our theme this morning is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is sent by the Father to call, gift, and guide a bride for and to his Son, Jesus Christ.

As we explore the book of Genesis this morning, let's examine how the Holy Spirit calls, gifts, and guides us in our relationships. Now, as we're in this holiday season, it's common for you ladies to turn on the TV to the Hallmark Channel, right? To all the holidays. To all the holiday romances. I know, guys. Just hang in there. We've got just a few more weeks. I feel your pain. One thing I've noticed through my years of astute observation is that the storyline is essentially the same. I honestly believe that the writers and producers just use the same plot for all the movies. They just use different names and different locations.

Most of the time, the story goes like this. You ready? Right. A woman leaves a small town to pursue her big-shot job in a big city. She gets engaged to a money-making, suit-wearing city guy who turns out to be a big jerk. She comes home for the holidays and she meets the ruggedly handsome, flannel-clad hometown boy. She falls in love. She ends up having to decide between her fiancé and her newfound love interest. Am I right? Somewhere in all of this, the true love is supposed to be portrayed and it's often in the form of a warm and fuzzy feeling as she drinks coffee by the fireside beside her flannel-clad, ruggedly handsome man.

But what if I told you that true love isn't found in a movie on the Hallmark Channel? What if I told you that true love is found in the Bible? What if I told you that the Bible is the greatest love story that's ever been told? That leads us to the book of Genesis, chapter 24. And by the way, this is the longest chapter in the book of Genesis. Do you know that? 67 verses. And by the way, it's going to be my longest sermon in the book of Genesis, okay? I have a week of pent-up preaching, okay? I'm just kidding. I knew I'd get you all there. But it is the longest chapter in the book of Genesis. And it tells the story of how Isaac gets a wife through an arranged marriage.

And you might be thinking, really? The foundational book of the Bible, the book of Genesis, out of everything that it records, and the story of a marriage is the longest chapter. Why? Couldn't this story just have been summarized to a few paragraphs? But I would propose that the length of this passage should tell us something. Because when God gives us this much detail, He's wanting us to pay attention. Because this is more than just a sappy love story. This is more than just ancient matchmaking. Rather, this is a living parable of the gospel itself. Because the gospel is the greatest love story that's ever been told. And I want you to see this text through gospel eyes.

Because in this text, we're going to see a beautiful picture of the Trinity at work. We see God the Father, who gives His Son a bride; God the Holy Spirit, who seeks a bride for the Son; and God the Son, who receives a bride for Himself. Then we meet this woman named Rebecca, who represents the church, the bride of Christ. And the question posed to Rebecca is the same question posed to us this morning: Indeed, will you go with this man? Will you receive his love? Will you wed yourself to the lover of your soul?

And I'm going to give you the main divisions. Main division one, we have the wise sojourner. This, of course, refers to Abraham. Genesis chapter 24, beginning in verse 1. Now, Abraham was old, advanced in age, and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, "Please put your hand under my thigh." I love you guys in here, but I ain't doing that. Okay? A simple handshake will suffice. What is going on here, Abraham? This was an ancient method of making a binding agreement—similar to a handshake, but more formal. So don't get weirded out, okay? "Please put your hand under my thigh. And I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, but you shall go into my country, which is Mesopotamia, and to my family, and take a wife for my son, Isaac."

Right off the bat, we see the father's loving initiative. Notice how it begins. Abraham, he's old. He's been blessed in all things. He's seen God's faithfulness throughout his entire life. And now, there's one piece of the puzzle left to put in place. If the covenant line is to continue, Isaac must have a wife. But here's what's crucial. Isaac isn't the one looking for the wife. You catch that? Isaac doesn't go on a long journey to find a bride. He doesn't interview candidates. He doesn't go on speed dating. He doesn't have the dating apps. He can't swipe right or left. He doesn't even know who this woman will be. The father initiates the entire mission.

Now, let me ask you a question this morning. How would you feel if your parents had chosen your spouse for you? Some of you are like, yeah, they got great taste. Others are like, eh, not so much. It's kind of cringeworthy, right? In our culture, we can't imagine such a thing. It's a humorous thought, isn't it? We're individualistic. We meet someone. We fall in love. We date. We decide. It's all about personal choice and romantic feelings. But let's consider the cultural context. In ancient times, in Abraham's day, arranged marriages were the norm. And parents often chose spouses for their children, sometimes before the children were even born. Why is that? Because marriage wasn't primarily about romance. It was about covenant. It was about family alliance. It was about continuing the lineage.

However, Abraham makes an excellent choice. Firstly, he trusts in the providence of God and the faithful judgment of his trusted servant. God will give Isaac the right bride. And Abraham sends this servant to find her. Now, this seems reckless and careless, but it isn't. Abraham knows this woman must be special. She will carry the covenant seed and be the mother through whom God's promises continue. And not just anyone will do. She must be a godly woman who, like Sarah, fears the Lord and is a woman of faith. This trust in God's provision and judgment is the foundation upon which the Father's initiative in salvation rests, as we'll see next.

So our first great truth is that salvation begins with the Father's initiative—this is the most important truth you need to grasp this morning. Friends, you didn't wake up one morning and decide on your own to seek God—you didn't do it. You didn't wake up in your natural state and suddenly develop a hunger for righteousness because the Bible is clear: no one seeks God. There is none who does good—no, not one. By nature, we are dead in trespasses and sins, and dead people can't do anything. They can't do anything to help themselves. They certainly can't make a decision on their own. Jesus says in John 6, verse 44, "No one can come to me unless the Father draws him to me." Jesus says in John 6, verse 37, "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out." This is the same initiative that brings the bride He has chosen for His Son into existence. Your salvation doesn't begin with you—it begins with the Father's eternal purpose to redeem a people for His Son. You must understand this. This is the truth that changes everything.

You hear what Jesus is saying. The Father gives people to the Son. Friends, I want you to know, if you are a believer this morning, you are a loved gift from the Father to the Son. We are tokens of the everlasting affection of the Father for His Son. Because before we were born, before we had even done anything good or bad, before we had believed, the Father had already set His love upon His Son and determined that one day He will redeem for Him a bride. This is the doctrine of election. And when you say that, some people say, Oh, no! Calvinist! No. Bible. It's the Bible. And it shouldn't make you uncomfortable. In fact, it should give you the greatest comfort on earth because your salvation doesn't depend upon you. It doesn't depend upon you working up enough willpower or being emotionally manipulated or somehow being good enough to earn God's choosing. No, your salvation began in the heart of God before He created the universe. He already decided to set His special saving love upon you all, because of His grace, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of His glory.

Listen to what Paul says in Ephesians 1, verse 3 through 5. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Listen. Even as He chose us in Him, before the ages even began, that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love, He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ according to the purpose of His will. You can see that clearly—the Father chose us. The Father predestined us. The Father planned our salvation before creation. So, friends, election isn’t just a side doctrine. It’s the very foundation of our salvation. It’s the very reason why we believe in Christ. Before God had even created anything, He looked down through time, and in His sovereign grace, He set His love upon you and said, “You will be part of My Son’s bride.” This is why the Father’s love for you flows from His love for His Son. He loves you as He loves His Son, and because of that love, He loves you in Christ. He loves you in His Son. You are His gift to His Son.

And notice, He chose us in Christ, that is, in union with His Son. Friends, the Father's love for you flows from His love for His Son. He loves you in Christ, His Son. You are His gift to His Son. I don't know about you, but that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. That's true love, isn't it? That He has chosen to include all of us who will believe into this eternal love, this eternal union that existed from eternity past. And like Abraham sending his servant to find the bride for Isaac, the Father has sent His Spirit to call out a people for His Son. So the Spirit's job is to draw us, to woo us, to bring us to Christ because all that the Father has given the Son will come to Him, and we come to Him by the Spirit's leading, by being drawn to Him. That's the effectual call. That's the irresistible grace of God that doesn't just invite you but actually brings you home by granting you the faith to believe and receive the gift of salvation.

Secondly, we notice that Abraham is very specific about who this bride will be. He tells the servant, "Don't go to the Canaanites. You are to go to my home, to my country, to my kindred." Why? Because Abraham wants a bride who shares his faith, his values, his covenant relationship with God. He wants Isaac to have a wife who will walk with him in the same spiritual lineage, who will uphold the covenant promises. So he sends this servant 450 miles away to Mesopotamia to find the one. Friends, in the same way, God the Father is calling out a specific people. It's not based on ethnicity or nationality, but it's based on faith. He is calling out a bride from every tribe, from every tongue, and from every nation—not by birthright, but by belief. This is the pattern: God's people are defined not by geography or heritage, but by their relationship with Him through faith in His Son.

Now, verse 5, the servant asks, what if the woman won't come back with me? Abraham's response: if she won't come, you're free from your oath. But under no circumstances is Isaac to go back there. Friends, the same is true of us. Christ redeems his bride and takes his bride all for himself. He calls us out—calling us to leave our old lives behind and follow him into a new life. To leave the old country and come into a new country. To leave the old family of Adam and be born again into the family of God. The first movement in the story is the Father's initiative. He conceives the plan. He sends the servant on the mission. Friends, that's exactly how our salvation began as well: in the loving heart of God the Father.

Main division number 2, we find the wondrous servant. And we find the servant's faithful mission in verses 10 through 28. Verse 10, the servant takes 10 of his master's camels, and he departs. He takes all sorts of choice gifts from his master. And he arose and went to Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor. Notice that the servant doesn't go empty-handed—he brings gifts, tangible evidence of his master's wealth and the groom's worthiness. He's not just bringing a message; he's bringing proof that they exist. Can you imagine the weight of this mission? The servant, entrusted with a sacred task, carries not just gifts but the very hope of his master's lineage. Just as the Father sent the servant on a mission, He sends the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us, carrying the proof of His love and the promise of our redemption. This is no mere errand—it's a divine commission, a mirror of the Father's heart, who sends His Spirit to lead us into truth and prepare us for the bridegroom's return.

Look at verses 12 through 14. Then he said, Lord, God of my father, God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day and show kindness to my master Abraham. Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, please let down your pitcher that I may drink. And she says, drink, let her be the one, the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master. Notice that Abraham's servant is faithful—he's dependable, he's trustworthy. But he is also prayerful. Notice first he prays for guidance. And by the way, this is the first recorded prayer for guidance in the Bible. This is a man on a mission, and he knows he can't accomplish it on his own. He's dependent upon God to guide him, so he prays and asks God for direction.

Verse 15. And it happened, before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel, the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. Now the young woman was very beautiful to behold. No man had known her. And she went down to the well and filled her pitcher and came up. And the servant ran to meet her and said, Please, let me drink a little water from my pitcher. Notice what she says. Drink, my lord. Then she quickly let her pitcher down to her hand and gave him a drink. And when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, I will draw water for your camels also, until they had finished drinking. And then she quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough. And she went back to the well to draw water and drew for all his camels. And so the man, wondering at her, remained silent so as to know whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.

Let's pause right there. The man is by the well. He's praying. This is going to be the sign, Lord. I'm going to ask for water. Not only is she going to give me water, but she's going to water all my camels. That's how I know she's the one. Do you remember the time when you looked at your spouse and said, that's the one? Probably didn't involve watering camels. But somehow you knew this is the one. But we notice also that as he is praying, while the words are still in his mouth, Rebecca makes her way to the well. That's an answer to prayer, isn't it? What an encouragement it is for us to pray. Because, friends, God knows what we need before we even ask. So, that's incentive to pray. We have a Father who loves us. We have a Father who knows our deepest needs. And all we have to do is believe and ask. He knows what we need before we even ask Him.

The servant also teaches us something crucial about making big decisions—especially decisions involving marriage. Make sure you pray. Before you make any big decision, don’t just follow your feelings. Don’t just look at outward appearances. If you’re considering marriage or looking for a spouse, don’t just consider compatibility on paper. Rather, pray. Seek God’s wisdom. Seek His direction. We see what the servant asked for: not simply beauty, not wealth, not social status. He’s looking for a woman of character. Here’s what makes Rebecca extraordinary—her kindness and generosity are not just traits, but a reflection of the divine calling that shapes a bride for His Son. She offers him water, drawing it from the well herself—this is the kind of humility and service that the Holy Spirit cultivates in those He prepares. She’s hardworking, willing to do exhausting labor, and hospitable, even to a stranger she’s never met. Her actions reveal a heart that’s been guided by something greater than herself. She’s not just excellent in character; she’s a living example of integrity, doing what’s right even when no one is watching. This is the kind of woman the Holy Spirit gifts for His Son—someone who serves, who leads with humility, and who reflects the love of Christ in every action.

So young men, listen. When you're looking for a wife, look for a woman like Rebecca. A woman who is God-fearing. A woman who is honest, loving, hospitable. A woman who shows excellence of character and integrity. A woman who shows love and service to others. A woman whose beauty runs deeper than appearance. So young women, are you becoming this type of woman? Are you a Rebecca? Now, young men, are you an Isaac? If women should be Rebecca's, if they are the kind of woman worth seeking, then you should be the kind of man who is worth crossing the desert to marry. You should be a man like Isaac who fears the Lord. Who is willing to obey God no matter the cost. Are you a man who fears the Lord? Are you a man who trusts in His promises? Are you a man like Isaac who is under covenant with the Lord? Are you willing to love, lead, provide, and protect your bride? Because this marriage and every other marriage is for the sole purpose of reflecting the greatest marriage. The marriage between Christ and His church. That is the reason why men are to love their wives as Christ loves the church. And wives are to reverence their husbands as the church honors Christ.

Now we notice before he even finishes praying, Rebecca appears in verse 15. It notes she's very attractive. She catches his eye. Doesn't this remind us of Sarah? Sarah was also a beautiful woman. Then she says, "Will you give me something to drink?" "Sure," he replies. "Oh, by the way," she adds, "I'm going to give your camels water as well." Now remember, how many camels did they leave with? Ten. Experts say camels can drink up to 35 gallons of water at a time. Rebecca gives all ten camels enough water until they are full. That means she draws roughly 350 gallons of water by herself. Talk about a strong, competent woman. She's everything—gracious, elegant, hospitable. Yet she's also strong. She's a woman of service. She's a woman fit to carry covenant seed. Her actions reveal a heart aligned with God's purposes, not just her own. This is not merely physical beauty; it's spiritual excellence that shines through her character.

Verse 21, the man gazes at her. No wonder. Not only is she beautiful, she's got some muscles too. And he's just gazing like, could she be the one? He's gazing to see whether the Lord had prospered him on this journey or not. Verse 26 and 27. He then thanks God for answering his prayer. He knows this is the one. And he says, blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham. He has not forsaken his mercy and his truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren. After he prays, after he gets the answer, he doesn't fail to give God thanks. So many times we are quick to pray, but we are slow to respond in thanksgiving. We can learn from the servant. When God answers prayer, always be mindful to thank him for what he's done. This isn't just a story about a servant—it's a picture of the Holy Spirit's work. The Spirit doesn't just show up to make himself known; he points us to the Bride, the Church, the one prepared for Christ. The servant's gratitude is a mirror for us. When the Spirit moves, when he calls, when he gifts, when he guides—don't just receive, respond! Thank him. Worship him. Let the world see that the answer to prayer isn't just a miracle—it's a moment to fall at his feet.

Let’s take a moment here and zoom in on this servant for a second. There’s something intriguing about his anonymity—something that feels almost spiritual. Did you catch that? We don’t know who this servant is. We know from Genesis 15 that Abraham’s chief servant is named Eleazar, but here in chapter 24, he’s never called by name. He’s just called “the servant”—fifteen times. There’s a good chance this is Eleazar, but his name is hidden in this text. Why? Because his job isn’t to make himself known. His job isn’t to speak of himself, but to speak of Isaac, the son. Likewise, that’s the ministry of the Holy Spirit—not to draw attention to himself, but to draw attention to the Son.

Secondly, both are sent by the Father on a mission. The servant is charged with a sacred task—commissioned by Abraham to journey to Mesopotamia and find a bride for Isaac, not just any bride, but one who would carry forward the covenant promise. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is dispatched by the Father with a divine purpose—to call out a people from the nations, to gather a bride for the Son from the ruins of fallen creation. This mission, like the servant's, is not just a task—it's a divine commission, a burning urgency to fulfill the Father's eternal plan.

Thirdly, both travel to a far country. Picture this: the servant embarks on a 450-mile journey through harsh deserts and treacherous mountains to Mesopotamia, facing scorching heat, bandits, and the weight of an impossible task—finding a bride for Isaac. Likewise, the Holy Spirit descends into this broken, fallen world, not to retreat from chaos but to confront it, calling out a bride for the Son. This is no passive mission; it’s a battle-scarred pilgrimage, where the Spirit’s voice rises above the noise of sin, drawing lost souls into the covenant of grace. Do you see the parallel? Just as Abraham’s servant endured every trial to fulfill his commission, the Spirit endures every spiritual warfare to complete His divine calling.

Fourthly, both the servant and the Spirit seek those appointed by the Father. The servant seeks the woman God has appointed, and the Spirit calls those whom the Father has chosen.

Neither one speaks of themselves, but of the Son. The servant constantly talks about the Son, not about himself. And Jesus said in John 16:13-14, "The Spirit will not speak on his own authority, but he will speak what he hears from the Father, and he will declare to you the things that are coming." This is the role of the Holy Spirit—revealing the Father's will and magnifying the Son, not speaking from his own authority but bringing glory to Jesus. It is the Holy Spirit who draws us, who convicts us of sin, and who shows us the beauty of the Savior, the bridegroom worth leaving everything for.

Sixthly, both wooed the bride. Remember Jesus said no man can come unto him unless the Father draws him. And the Father draws us to Christ through the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He shows mankind the need for a Savior. That's the job of the Holy Spirit, isn't it? He shows us our need, but he also shows us the beauty and perfection of the Savior, a bridegroom worth leaving everything for.

Seventhly, they both bring gifts as a guarantee. The servant brings gold and silver and jewelry—symbolic of the riches of God’s kingdom, just as the Spirit brings the convicting power of sin, the revelation of righteousness, and the urgency of judgment. The Spirit himself is the seal, the guarantee of our inheritance. He doesn’t just show us our need—he shows us the glory of the bridegroom, the wealth of Abraham’s covenant, and the eternal riches of God’s grace. That’s the Spirit’s work: to secure our inheritance, to mark us as His own, and to prepare our hearts for the fullness of what’s coming.

Both reveal the wealth and glory of the Father's house. The servant displays the wealth of Abraham, reflecting the Spirit's convicting power that stirs the bride to seek the Father's inheritance. The Spirit, in turn, reveals the riches of God's grace through His work of calling, gifting, and guiding the bride toward her destined inheritance.

Both the servant and the Spirit lead the bride on a journey through the wilderness. They ensure that the bride makes it safely through the wilderness and arrives home to meet the bridegroom, claiming her inheritance.

And both testify to the Son's worthiness and love. Jesus says in John 16:13-14, when the Spirit comes, he will guide you unto all truth. He will not speak on his own authority. But whatever he hears, he will speak and declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. Do you see that? The Holy Spirit doesn't draw attention to himself. He doesn't glorify himself. He always glorifies Christ. He is always working behind the scenes to draw a bride to the Son.

Friends, that is why all true revivals and genuine moves of God result in a people loving Jesus more. It's not about having emotional experiences. It's not about having a so-called spiritual movement where people are obsessed with manifestations and feelings. Because you can have all those things, but if you don't love Jesus and love his word more, that's not a work of the Spirit. That is sentimentality. That is emotional manipulation. That is of the flesh. The Spirit and his gifts and his workings are always to beautify and edify the bride and to point the bride's eyes to Jesus. The Spirit always points to Christ, for he was sent by the Father to call, gift, and guide a bride for his Son. Just as the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father to lead the disciples into all truth and to glorify Jesus, so too does he work in the lives of believers today, not to draw attention to himself, but to reveal the heart of God and to direct the church’s affections toward the Son. This is seen in the way the Spirit produces fruit in the lives of believers—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are not signs of emotional excess, but of a heart transformed by the presence of Christ. The Spirit's work is always to build up the body of Christ and to point every believer’s gaze to the one who gave his life for them.

The servant, he comes home with Rebecca and he begins to recount the story of Abraham and of Isaac. Not only that, but he also gives gifts that confirm that everything he's saying is true. Notice in verse 22, when the camels had finished drinking, the man takes a gold ring weighing half a shekel and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels. As soon as he confirms Rebecca is the one, he begins to give her gifts. These aren't just tokens of appreciation; they are gifts of betrothal. They're signs of the groom's love and of the father's wealth, but they also carry symbolic weight—echoing the covenantal promises made to Abraham, which Isaac now inherits. These gifts are not merely material; they are a pledge or a down payment, if you will, of the future that awaits her if she will go with this man. The very act of giving them mirrors the servant’s recounting of Abraham and Isaac’s story, reinforcing the legacy of faith and divine provision that Rebecca is now being invited into.

Verse 53, we read about how the servant brings out jewelry and gold and garments and gives them to Rebecca and gives wealth and all these treasures to her brother and to her mother. He gives costly ornaments, more gifts, abundant gifts—gifts that demonstrate the wealth and generosity of the household she's being invited into. But notice, he doesn't have to coerce her. He doesn't have to twist her arm. He doesn't have to bribe her. These gifts aren't a bribe—they're a promise. You see, he's saying, "Look, here's what can be yours if you'll go with me." He doesn't have to sugarcoat it or manipulate her. All he does is tell her about the excellencies of Isaac. And she's sold. That's all he's doing. He's showing the worthiness of the bridegroom. Just as these gifts are a pledge of Isaac's future, the Holy Spirit is the pledge of our future with Christ. The Spirit is the down payment, the guarantee, the ring that says, "You are mine. I have redeemed you. I will prepare a place for you." That's how the Holy Spirit works in our lives—calling us, gifting us, and sealing us as the bride of Christ.

That's exactly what the Holy Spirit does with us—just like a loving groom who gives his bride a ring as a promise of what's to come. He is the gift given to those who will believe. In Ephesians 1:13-14, we read: "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it." The Greek word for "guarantee" here is "aribon," which means a down payment, a pledge, or even a ring. Think of it like a deposit on a house—you're not yet the owner, but you're promised the keys. The Holy Spirit is that deposit, that ring, that promise from God: "You are mine. I have redeemed you. I will prepare a place for you. I will come again and take you to myself. And there will be a great wedding feast." The Spirit doesn't just whisper this promise—he seals it in our hearts, marking us as belonging to Jesus forever.

Praise God for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us new life—He grants the gift of adoption, bringing us into God’s family. He also bestows the gift of justification, declaring us righteous. Through His indwelling presence, God Himself dwells with us. He equips us with spiritual gifts, tools for serving the body of Christ. He gives us the gift of assurance, allowing us to know we belong to Him. We are entrusted with the invaluable treasure of the gospel. Friends, the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children—just as the Holy Spirit is the engagement ring from the previous passage, He now places a ring on our finger, sealing our souls and declaring, “You belong to Jesus.” Praise God. Hallelujah.

I love what Paul Washer says. He said our stewardship as the king's men is to lead the bride to the wilderness to her spouse. That's why we exist for her. Every time we see doubt in her eyes, we take one more jewel of the gospel and place it in her hand and say, "He is worth it." See, that's exactly what the servant is doing. One more jewel. One more piece of gold. One more diamond. He's worth it. Will you go with us? Will you walk with us into the wilderness where the bride needs to be reminded of who she is in Christ—adopted as His child, justified by His grace, sealed with the Holy Spirit, and called to a destiny far greater than she can imagine? We don't just hand her a truth; we walk beside her, whispering the promises of God into her ears, showing her the scars of Christ that mark her as His own. We remind her of the indwelling presence of the Spirit who never leaves her, the assurance of salvation that is hers by faith, and the treasure of the gospel that is the foundation of her identity. This is how we lead her—not by force, but by love; not by words alone, but by lives that reflect the glory of God. Every time we see her falter, we don't turn away—we run to her, arms open, and say, "You are not alone. You are His. And He is worth it."

We remind them that everything in this life is temporary. It's transient shadows that can never satisfy the deep hunger of our souls. The treasures of this life, they pale in comparison to the surpassing worth of Christ. Paul says that everything he once cherished—his religion, his status, his accomplishments, his reputation—they are all rubbish. They're dung. They're garbage compared to the excellency of knowing Christ. Friends, Christ is the greatest treasure. And that is the treasure he gives his bride. The Holy Spirit reminds us of the excellencies of Christ. He displays just one more precious treasure of his grace. He holds up before us just one more facet of the perfect diamond of his eternal attributes. He reminds us that he's worth it.

Moving on rather quickly now. Verses 29-33 we find the wily sinner. The story takes a turn. Rebecca, she runs home. She tells her family. Then her brother Laban comes running out to greet the servant. Laban hears the story about Isaac. He understands what is going on here. He understands the intentions of the servant. But what catches his attention are the rings and the gold and the jewelry and the treasures. And by the way, we're not done with Laban. Just getting started. We're going to see just exactly how conniving and manipulative this man is. He doesn't care about Isaac. He cares about the wealth and the power and the prestige that being married into Isaac's family will bring. His sister, on the other hand, has different feelings. They invite the servant in. They feed him dinner. And the man begins to recount the whole story.

Perhaps he tells them about Isaac—how he was born to a woman who was 90 years old to a man who was 100. Maybe he tells the story about how Ishmael was sent away from the family and what kind of fights that caused. I can't help but believe that he definitely told them the story of how Isaac was willing to be sacrificed on Mount Moriah. Told them about the courage and the faithfulness of Isaac. About his radical obedience. And story after story, Rebecca feels a growing warmth in her heart—a deepening sense of longing, a pull toward a man she’s never met. But the more she hears about him, the more her heart aches to meet him. The more she learns of his faith, his sacrifice, his obedience, the more she feels this undeniable connection, as if God Himself is drawing her to this mysterious stranger who carries the legacy of Abraham.

We notice in verses 34-61 the willing saint. We find the willing response of the bride. The servant asks the question, verse 49, "Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me, and if not tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left." And then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, "The thing has come from the Lord." But Laban said, "The thing has come from the Lord. We cannot speak to you, bad or good. Behold, Rebecca is before you. Take her and go. Let her be the wife of your master's son, as the Lord has spoken." So the family consents. But notice, that's not enough. It all comes down to this moment. The question is posed to Rebecca. Will you go with this man? The choice is yours. What does Rebecca say? "I will go. I will go."

Rebecca's never seen Isaac. She doesn't know exactly where she's going. All she knows is that this servant has brought stories about this wonderful man. This wealthy man. This man who is willing to be sacrificed in radical obedience to God. All she has is the gifts that she's been given. And so she has to make a choice based on testimony and trust and not sight. But friends, that is faith, isn't it? It's the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. And Peter writes to us in 1 Peter 1.8, Though you have not seen him, you believe. Though you have not seen him, yet you love him. And you rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. Can we not see ourselves in Rebecca's story? We haven't experienced what she did, but oh, we long to go to heaven. We haven't seen him with our eyes, but how our hearts yearn for him. All we know is what we've heard. All we have seen is the gifts he's given us. But the Holy Spirit draws us irresistibly to Christ, and we hear the call: "Come, follow me." So the question for us this morning is, will you go with this man? Will you receive the invitation? Will you say, "Yes, I will go." I will leave it all behind, my old life, my sins, my family, my possessions, my identity, and I will go with this man. I will find my life and my treasure and my identity in Christ.

She didn’t say, “Let me think about it,” or “Let me bring some of my old friends with me,” or “Hold on, give me a minute—when it’s convenient, I’ll go.” No, she said, “I will go. Without delay, I will go.” Verses 59 through 61: They send Rebecca away, along with her sister, her nurse, Abraham’s servant, and his men. They bless her, saying, “Our sister, may you become thousands of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate them.” Then Rebecca and her young women arise, ride on camels, and follow the man. Thus, the servant takes Rebecca and goes on his way. She leaves everything familiar—her home, her family, her country. She mounts the camel, sets off across the desert with a man she just met, toward a husband she’s never seen. Just as the Holy Spirit draws us irresistibly to Christ, Rebecca’s journey mirrors our own: leaving behind the old life, the familiar comforts, the known paths, and stepping into the unknown with trust, guided by the call to follow Him.

What a picture of the Christian life. When you come to Christ, believer, you leave the old country behind. You're now a pilgrim on a journey. It's not always easy. The wilderness is not always easy. There are days that are long and trying. There are days when the sun gets hot and beats down upon you. There are times when the devil will say you're making an absolute fool of yourself. You really believe this. Look at all that you've left. How can you be sure it's real? There'll be times when you doubt your own faith. There'll be times when you feel like turning the camels around and heading back home. But what does the servant do? One more jewel. One more aspect of Christ's character. One more picture of His excellencies. Say He's worth it.

Notice she doesn't go along. She has the servant with her by her side to protect her from whatever perils may present themselves in the wilderness. Likewise, we have the Holy Spirit. He hasn't left us alone. He hasn't left us as orphans. He's sent His Spirit who will be with us forever. He doesn't just save us and leave us stranded. No, He sends the Spirit to fill us, to encourage us, to comfort us, to convict us, to teach us, to empower us, to guide us into all truth, and to see us safely home to our bridegroom. Church, you're in the wilderness right now. And it's long. It's hard. It's brutal. It's exhausting. But keep your eyes fixed ahead. There is a wedding day coming. Don't you dare turn back. Keep your eyes on Jesus. That's why, church, we need the Spirit. We need His presence. We need His power. Because this journey—this long, hard, brutal, exhausting journey—it's not something we can do on our own. We need the One who walks with us, who carries us, who leads us home.

Verse 62 through 67, we find the waiting son and the joyful union with the son. Isaac had returned from Beer and was dwelling in the Negev. Each evening, he would go out to meditate in the field. One day, he lifted his eyes and saw camels approaching. Rebekah, too, looked up and saw Isaac. She asked her servant, "Who is that man walking in the field to meet us?" The servant replied, "That's my master's servant; that's your husband." Rebekah quickly covered herself with her veil. The servant then told Isaac all that he had done. Without delay, Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah's tent, and she became his wife. He loved her dearly.

After the long journey through the desert, they arrive and finally lock eyes. They see each other. Notice what Isaac is doing. He's meditating in the field. That means he's praying. He's spending some quiet time with God, enjoying the beauty of nature. Now, he's 40 years old at this time. He's unmarried. And I would assume that the prospect of a wife occupies much of his prayer life. Lord, send me the right one. Lord, guide my father's servant. Lord, let her be the one. He's undoubtedly anxious and anxiously awaiting his father's servant to return with a bride. And then, as he's praying, he lifts up his eyes and sees a grand caravan coming across the horizon. No doubt his heart is pounding in his chest. I'm about to meet her. Is she beautiful? Is she elegant? Does she smell good? Is she strong? Is she capable? He sees the father's servant and the woman he's accompanied by. And Isaac runs—he doesn’t wait. He runs in anticipation. He wastes no time. He quickly receives her into his mother’s tent. Not to play Chinese checkers, by the way. If you kids have questions, go home and ask your parents. This woman is mine. The wedding is consummated.

Loved ones, you need to get this this morning. The Bible specifically says that Isaac is comforted concerning his mother’s death. Remember we read in chapter 23 about the death of Sarah? So chapter 23 ends with a funeral. Chapter 24 ends with a wedding. Now, think about Isaac—40 years old, meditating in the field, praying for a wife, anxiously waiting for his father’s servant to return with a bride. Lord, send me the right one. Lord, guide my father’s servant. Lord, let her be the one. He’s undoubtedly anxious, his heart pounding as he sees the caravan approaching. Then, joy overcomes sorrow. Grief has endured for the night, but joy comes in the end. Friends, right now we are leaving the land of funerals, the land of sorrow, and stepping into the land of marriage, the land of victory. Death has been swallowed up in victory. Praise God! We are going to the land called Beulah, where all things are made new. Just as Isaac’s prayer life led him to the bride, so too does the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, call, gift, and guide a bride for His Son. Let this truth ignite your hearts—joy has triumphed over sorrow, and the wedding feast is prepared. Friends, are you ready to walk into that joy?

Rebecca becomes Isaac's wife and the Bible says that he loves her. Ephesians 5 tells us that Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of the water by the word so that he might present the church to himself in splendor without spot or wrinkle or any such thing that she might be holy and without blemish. Friends, we like Rebecca are headed home and we will meet our greater Isaac, the true bridegroom. Revelation 19 verse 7 through 9 says let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory for the marriage of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready and it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen bright and pure for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints and the angel said to John write this blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Praise God, I can just see Jesus, just like Isaac. He is eager, he is anticipating his bride, and he is just looking, waiting for that day when the last of the elect believe. And he returns, receives his bride for himself, takes her away to the wedding, where we feast with him and where he loves us for all eternity. And one day when we see Jesus, we will say the same thing Rebecca said: "Who is this man? He is far greater, he is far more glorious than I can ever imagine." I've heard stories about him. I've seen him in the pages of scripture, but now I see him as he is. Who is this man who loved me and gave himself for me? Who is this bridegroom who will lavish eternal affection upon me? Who is he? It's Christ, the Lord, that's who it is. We will see his face, we will be brought into his wedding chambers, and his banner over us will be love.

Here's the Christ connection: as they come and give us a song of invitation, Isaac loved Rebecca. By the way, this is the first reference to marital love in the Bible. That's because this is a fitting picture of Christ in the church. It's one of the best love stories in the entire Bible, yet it is a foreshadowing of the greatest love story ever told—the love story between Christ and his church. So, are you all ready to put all the threads together?

Isaac, the son of promise, if he is to have as many descendants as the stars in the sky, he needs a wife. So the father determines she’s not going to be a Canaanite—she’s going to be from his own people. He initiates a plan to send a servant to a far country to receive a bride for his son. The faithful servant identifies the bride, reveals the great price that has been paid in marriage to the father’s son. She responds to the invitation to go with this man, to leave her home country, to forsake all she knows, to go on this long pilgrimage to meet a man she’s never seen, to live with him in a land that she will share with him as an inheritance. And through every mile, her heart is yearning for him even more. The servant woos Rebecca. The servant gifts Rebecca. And Rebecca is longing to meet her husband. Christ, like Isaac, will receive his bride to himself. He will make her an heir of everything he has—heirs of heaven, heirs of Christ. Everything that he has will be hers.

But friends, unlike Rebecca, we were not always beautiful, were we? Here’s where the contrast comes in. We were not always elegant. We were not always modest. We were not always willing to go. Unlike Rebecca, we weren’t from the right family—we were from the wrong family. We weren’t always beautiful. We were marred by the scars of sin. We were more like another woman we meet at a well. Remember, we meet Rebecca at a well. Well, Jesus meets another woman at a well centuries later in John 4—the Samaritan woman. And this woman’s had five husbands. She’s looked for love and satisfaction in all the wrong people and in all the wrong places. She was scarred by her past. But Jesus invites her: “Drink of this water.” Actually, he does the same thing the servant does: “Give me a drink.” The Samaritan woman says, “You have nothing to draw with. What are you doing talking to me? You’re a Samaritan woman. You’re a Jewish man. Don’t you know my past? Don’t you know who I am?” He says, “Oh, if you only knew who asked of you a drink, you would ask of him, and I would give you living water. I’ll give you love so mighty, so pure, that will leave you eternally satisfied.” You know what this woman at the well does? She leaves her water pot. She leaves behind all these men who steal every other love, which only left her empty. And she runs and she tells others: “Come and see a man who told me all about myself and yet he loves me.” Like the woman at the well, like Rebecca, like us—we can drink from a love that is so pure, so strong. We can be married to our bridegroom. We can become part of the bride of Christ. He gives us his own beauty, his own purity. He clothes us in the wedding garments of his righteousness. He makes us chaste virgins for whom heaven itself is prepared, as a bride adorns herself for her husband.

So loved ones, like Rebecca, like the woman at the well—Jesus invites you into an eternal loving covenant relationship with him this morning. For those of you who are married, you said before God and others, “I do.” Friends, will you give Jesus your “I do” this morning? Will you say yes? “I will go with this man.” Will you say yes, Lord? “I believe you. I receive you as my savior.” Will you clothe me in the wedding garments of your righteousness? Will you take me away and be with you forever? Because the invitation is open. The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let the one who hears say, “Come.” Let the thirsty one come. Let him who desires take the water of life without price. Friends, the invitation is open. The gifts are free. The Son is waiting. Will you go with this man? Will you take part in the greatest love story ever told? If you want to spend some time in meditation in prayer, you can pray where you are. You can pray up here. Jesus died on the cross, shed his blood for your redemption, paid the price for your hand in marriage. He was buried and he rose from the dead three days later. If you give him your yes, say, “I will go with this man.” He will give you the ring of the Holy Spirit. And he says, “I will come again. I will bring you. I will take you home. I will take you to myself.” Friends, we have a wedding day ahead. We have a joyous celebration to look forward to. Let’s just spend some time thanking him for that. Let’s spend some time worshiping him this morning.