Will thou Go with this Man?

Text: Genesis chapter 24

Context: Genesis 24:58-67

Intro: Genesis chapter 24 gives the account of Abraham sending his servant to find a bride for Isaac. This account is an Old Testament illustration of Christ and His church. As an introduction let me set the scene. Abraham was getting up in years; he knew his days were numbered and that the Lord had richly blessed him. Abraham also wanted his son Isaac to have a wife, not just any wife though. Isaac must have a wife from his own people, from Abraham’s country. After assuring his servant the Lord would send an angel ahead of him and have a bride waiting. Abraham’s servant then took an oath and left to bring Isaac a bride back.

Well this journey ends, Rebekah is found, the family’s approval is given and a question is ask to Rebekah “wilt thou go with this man”?

This morning as we look at the closing of chapter 24, notice with me some things that stand out with Rebekah’s decision and how they relate to our spiritual decisions today

I. Rebekah’s leaving

A. As the servant ask, she made the decision to go

Rebekah had to make a decision, she was either going to take this man as his word and follow him to this groom who was waiting on a bride or she was going to say no and remain with her family.

(Ill. The Holy Spirit through the conviction of sin asks us to make a decision which is very similar to this. To accept a man named Jesus, someone we have never saw and trust Him to deliver what He promises.)

B. She left her past

Rebekah made her decision to go without reservation without reserve without questioning the motive; she said “I will go.” Making this decision meant she must be willing to leave her past and start new somewhere else.

(Ill. Those of us who have made the decision to follow Christ have had our past forgiven and we have willingly left that past. The apostle Paul tells us the old man or our past must stay behind us and the new man or our new life must be before us. Make no mistake, choosing to follow Jesus and accept Him as savior is choosing a new life and eternal life.)

C. Her thoughts were on the future now.

Rebekah’s decision placed her thoughts on what was in front of her, not what she was leaving behind.

(Ill. Its no secret, there is a time of pleasure in sin; the bible even tells us this. However, it’s a pleasure with a very expensive price tag. Most every person will tell you that before they accepted Jesus as savior the thought went through there mind about what they must give up and the life style changes they would have to make. They also would tell you that after they really made that decision, they realized that old life really wasn’t much and only hurt them. They were happy to put it behind them and look to the future. The future should be a concern to the church also; we should be concerned individually and as a body of believers about what God has planned for us. How are we to serve Him? (Joh 14:3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Tells us our future is bright and has a glorious end, for those who have a personal relationship with Jesus, you see (Rom 10:9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.(Rom 10:10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. This and this alone puts the old life behind us and the future in front of us.)

II. Rebekah’s learning

A. The servant was her guide

The servant Rebekah had was to guide her back to the waiting groom.

(Ill. God has provided us with a guide also, the Holy Spirit. Isn’t it a comfort to know you have access to a guide that will take you through life. A guide that will direct our thoughts and actions if we will follow. IF.)

B. What about questions?

Rebekah had to have questions about Isaac. What was he like? What did he look like? What did he expect from her? What was she to expect from him?

(Ill. You and I are no different we have questions too; if we have a personal relationship with Jesus we have prayer, our portal to seek Gods help, advice, guidance and even forgiveness. But there’s and exception to prayer, it’s available to family members only. Not everybody could ask the servant about Isaac, not everybody can have an open line to God, only the family members. (Psa 81:8) Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me; Its open membership though, you can join today.)

III. Rebekah’s longing

A. The more Rebekah learned the more she wanted to learn.

As the servant talked with Rebekah her choice became more appealing. The Holy Spirit works the same way. If you have a personal relationship with Jesus, you should have a longing to know more. If you don’t have a personal relationship then you will have conviction to know him. That’s the longing God has to know you and have you in His family. The more you know about Jesus the more the Holy Spirit wants you to know about Jesus.

IV. Rebekah’s looking

A. The Bride sees her Groom

The journey comes to close, the servant has prepared Rebekah, and she sees Isaac, jumps off the camel she is riding, pulls a veil over her head to cover herself preparing to meet her Groom.

(Ill. Church what a glorious day it will be when the trumpet sounds we are gathered in to meet our groom, the lord Jesus Christ. Friends I want you to see something through Rebekah, faith. She had never seen Isaac, but she trusted followed, believed and was redeemed into Abraham’s family.

Conc: This morning you to can be redeemed into a family, into Gods family. I can’t get you there, I can give you an invitation, I can offer to introduce you, I can pray with you, and I am willing to do all of those. Ms. Ford will you come and get us a song ready. Before we sing, I have to ask you a question “wilt thou go with this man”? Will you go with Jesus, will you decide today right now to leave your past and accept the opportunity to come into the family of God. He loved you enough to send His son Jesus to die for you and through His death the opportunity to have eternal life. Christian how’s your relationship with the groom, your prayer life, your learning and longing. Does the groom mean as much to your today as He did when you first met Him? If not don’t you think its time to renew that relationship?

July 17, 2004