(5) His Activities in the World.
Genesis 24
THE activities of the Holy Spirit in the world are twofold. (1) To call out from the world a people who should form the bride of Christ. (2) To conduct that bride across the desert to meet the Bridegroom.
It is good for us to be intelligent as to what the Holy Spirit is doing in relation to the world at the present time; to see that He is here as the Servant of the Godhead for the carrying out of the divine and eternal purpose. As we apprehend this we will seek to be in line with Him in His activities. We will also be preserved from that restlessness of the flesh which we may sometimes mistake for Spirit-be-gotten activity. We will be saved from the erroneous ideas that it is our duty to make the world a better place; or to work for the conversion of the world, etc. The Holy Spirit will let us into the secret of the divine plan; we will be subject to Him; and will work under His direction when, where, and as He may be pleased to lead us.
We know of no finer illustration of the present activities of the Holy Spirit, on the lines indicated, then that of the chapter noted at the head of this paper. In chapter 22 we have the first mention in the Bible of love, and that is the father’s love for the son (22:2). In this chapter before us we have the second mention, and that is the love of the son for the bride (24:67). In chapter 22 we see figuratively the son’s death and resurrection (cf. Hebrews 11:17, 1917By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, (Hebrews 11:17)
19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. (Hebrews 11:19)); so that Isaac is a type of the heavenly Man, on the resurrection side of death. As such the father gave to him all that he had (24:36; cf. John 3:3535The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. (John 3:35)); and he sent his servant to find a bride who should be sharer with Isaac in all that he possessed. It was necessary that the bride should be of the same order as the bridegroom. We need not labor that point, its meaning will be at once apparent.
The servant is not named; we may speculate as to who he was, but it is not without significance that his name is not given. He went forth sent by the father, on behalf of the son, and took his journey to a distant country on his great mission. His going forth, his journey, his mission, his objective were probably unobserved by, and unknown to, any save the servants who accompanied him. The meaning of this lies on the very surface. The Holy Spirit has been sent forth by the Father, in the name of the Son (John 14:2626But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)). His coming, His presence, His mission, His objective are known only to those in whom there has been His divine work (John 14:1717Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:17)). He has traveled from heaven to earth. The gospel is being preached “with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven” (1 Peter 1:1212Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (1 Peter 1:12)).
Just as Abraham’s servant expressed his dependence upon God and sought His direction, so the Holy Spirit works in unison with the Father and the Son for the carrying out of divine purpose. Similarly as Abram’s servant gave Rebekah evidence of Isaac’s wealth, so the Holy Spirit makes known “the unsearchable riches of Christ;” attracts hearts to Him; and reveals to them the unlimited riches that are His and which He desires to share with them. The servant found the object of his quest, he impressed Laban and Bethuel with his messages but his work was not yet finished. His mission was urgent, he desired to get away to his master, but just then the difficulties presented themselves.
Shall we apply this to ourselves? Do we find that we have a desire to respond to the call of the Holy Spirit to go out after Christ, and that, it may be from unexpected quarters, our way is blocked? In Rebekah’s case the difficulty arose in her home-circle. They sought to detain her, to put the claims of nature before the claims of Isaac. May not Christian parents do this sometimes? They desire their children to have a special education and they select a certain school without regard to its anti-Christian atmosphere. They are eager for their success in their professional, commercial, industrial or other career, and spiritual interests become a secondary consideration. They consider there are none in the little company with which they meet with whom their family can associate, and they encourage them to mix in circles where Christ is unknown. In other words they put the ambition of nature before the claims of Christ. “Let it be so,” they say in effect, “for a few days, at the least ten; AFTER THAT―?” And “after that” they are swamped by the world, and parents’ hearts are broken as they reap the harvest of their own sowing.
We would appeal to our dear young readers, let no one and nothing hinder you from responding to the Holy Spirit’s call; following His leading; and going out in company with Him to reach Christ where He is. The ultimate decision rested with Rebekah. She was asked “Wilt thou go with this man?” (verse 58). What would that mean for her? Severing fond links; break-with old and loved associations; leaving the land of her birth; and going to be the bride of a man whom she had never seen. The die was cast; her choice was made; without hesitation “she said, I WILL GO.” If we had asked her: “Why do you leave ‘country, kindred, father’s house’―everything, to take an unknown track, and to sojourn in a strange land?” We believe she would have replied in one word: “ISAAC.”
We once remarked to a young lady, who was going to the colonies to be married, “Will you not feel strange leaving your home; your friends; your native city; your interests and all else; and going to a strange land where the place, the people, the customs and everything will be new to you.” She quickly replied, “But HE is there,” and that made all the difference. It was not the new land nor the promise of wealth that attracted Rebekah; it was Isaac. Have we not read? — “Whom having not seen ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:88Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (1 Peter 1:8)); and, can we not, as we read it, substitute we or I for “ye”? The inheritance is all right (verse 4), but it is Himself.
Now they set out on their journey. The servants fell in behind, but the servant took Rebekah as his own special charge. She knew not one step of the way, He knew every step, and under his protection she had no cause for fear. Can we not imagine how, as they journeyed on, that servant would tell her more about Isaac until as they reached the journey’s end she must have felt that already she knew Isaac well and loved him much. We have already observed that the work of the Holy Spirit as He conducts us across the desert is to take of the things of Christ and to show them unto us, as well as to show us things to come (John 16:13-1513Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. 15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. (John 16:13‑15)). We are as subject to Him, safe from all the pitfalls and snares of what is to us, but not to Him, an unknown track. He will if we allow Him, disclose to us more of the glories of Christ; and reveal His incalculable wealth, making us long to see Him face to face.
They reached the end of their journey. Isaac came forth at eventide, lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming (verse 63). Rebekah lifted up her eyes, saw Isaac, lighted off the camel, took a veil, and covered herself (vv. 64-65). What a moment for Isaac! What a moment for Rebekah! The servant’s work was done, he reported his mission, and handed over the bride to the bridegroom.
Again it is “Eventide;” we are nearing the end of the journey; it may be at any moment now our adorable Lord will come forth; will lift up His eyes; we shall lift up our eyes; and shall we not in presence of the dazzling blaze of His glory want to take a veil and cover ourselves?
But the story does not end there “Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife: and HE LOVED HER” (verse 67). His wealth might be great and his power might be great; but greater to Rebekah than all else would be the love of his heart. We do not touch on the beautiful dispensational teachings of chapters 22, 23, 24, because space forbids, nor is that our object. We await that day when He, whose bride are we, will conduct us into the Father’s house; will love us with a love with which none but He could love us; and resplendent with His beauty, we shall be for the joy and delight of His heart through God’s eternal day.
“O day of wondrous promise!
The Bridegroom and the bride
Are seen in glory, ever:
And love is satisfied.”
W. Bramwell Dick.