Genesis 24

Will You Go With This Man?

Genesis 24 has been described as 'the greatest love story ever told'. Abraham, who was old, but blessed in all things by God (24:1), sent his servant to look for a wife for Isaac. He did not wish him to marry a daughter of Canaan, but a wife from among his own native people. His servant, by a remarkable Providence, was guided by God to the home of Rebekah, the grandaughter of Abraham's brother, Nahor. There she was asked the famous question of verse 58 - Will you go with this man?

There is something decidedly evangelical in this question. There is a sense in which it contains the very stuff of the Gospel, because the Gospel is all about getting a bride for the Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest son of Abraham. He is the heir of the promises and of God's covenant redemption, and in the Gospel he calls sinners to be united to Himself in a bond of marriage. The validity of marriage is brought before us in the special bond that binds Jesus to his people, and the Bible, in order to illustrate that bond, knows of no higher illustration than that of a marriage covenant and contract.

If Jesus is the Son of Abraham, the son of promise, then his ministers are the servants whom God has commissioned to seek out a bride for Jesus Christ. The preaching of the Gospel is a voice speaking from within the covenant of grace to sinners outside it, calling them into fellowship with the Saviour. And the question that is asked of us is - will we go with the man of Calvary?

Who is he?

Who is calling us in the Gospel? None other than the Lord Jesus Christ, the God-man, the Mediator of the everlasting covenant, whose name is above every name, and whose throne is eternal. In the fulness of time he was born into this world in order that sinners might be saved. The one who calls us to follow him is the one who took our nature and died in our room and place in order that sinners might be saved. What love he has shown! What grace and mercy and pity he has revealed! Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the very end, and he will love them for all eternity.

If you have never gone with him, never fallen in love with him, take a look at the length to which he was willing to go to find lost sinners and bring them into the fold. He gave himself for his church, in order that he might wash it with the washing of water by the word, and sanctify it, cleansing it and making it new. The blessings of the covenant are given over to those who were strangers to its power and to its life.

He is worth going with.

What does he ask?

He asks whether we will go with him? The writer to the Hebrews encouraged the Christians of his day to "go out to him, outside the camp" (13:13). That involves a cost, perhaps a sacrifice, certainly a hardship that requires of us to bear his yoke and to share his reproach. But there are blessings without number that belong to those who love him, who have gone out to him, and who are united by faith to the Son of God who loved them and gave himself for them. ]

What encouragement does he give to those who go with him? Just this - that in all experiences of life, HE WILL GO WITH THEM. 'I am with you, even to the end of the world'. He promises us life and hope, grace and salvation. He says that passing through the waters he will be with them. In all of life's trials and difficulties he will uphold them. And in the most pressing and urgent business of living in a fallen world, his grace will be sufficient for them. Do we have this hope today? That having gone with him, we know that he has come with us?

And what promise does he give them? That they will be with him, where he is, to see his glory and enjoy his fellowship, and follow the lamb to living fountains of waters. He promises to wipe away every tear, and to comfort every broken heart with an everlasting consolation that will bring peace and blessing that will never end.

When are we to go with him?

An interesting thing happened in Rebekah's experience. Her family said - leave her ten days. Abraham's servant said - ask her now. Rebekah said - I will go with Isaac. Even though he had never seen her, she loved him. She was willing to leave home and family and friends in order to follow a man with whom she could share her life. It was a great love story.

Our love relationship with Jesus is no less lovely. Having not seen him, we love him, and, though now we do not see him, yet we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. There is no time to delay. Why wait ten days we are not promised? Why wait one day? Let us go with him now, and join with his people in the worship of his great and holy name! Us with him here, and with him for ever in glory.