1. He LOOKED for a bride for
Isaac.
After securing the cave of
Machpelah, Abraham solidified his presence in Canaan, knowing that from Isaac,
the promised seed would come. He wanted a bride for Isaac from his homeland and
relatives, possibly because he was aware of the wickedness of the Canaanites
and feared that marrying outside the covenant would lead Isaac astray. This is
a reminder of the importance of choosing a life partner wisely. Parents
naturally desire the best for their children, and children should value and
consider their parents’ guidance.
Exodus 34:11-12
"Be sure to observe what I am commanding you this day: behold, I am going
to drive out the Amorite before you, and the Canaanite, the Hittite, the
Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. Watch yourself that you make NO
COVENANT with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, or it will
become a snare in your midst."
2. He ENTRUSTED the mission to
his servant.
This servant probably was Eliezer and his name means "God's help" the oldest in the house of Abraham and also ruled over all he had. He let his servant swear to God by putting his hand under the thigh of Abraham. In my understanding, the possible meaning of this oath is since God promised to Abraham a "Seed" and will be passed on to his son, the servant swear that he would be faithful in finding a bride for Isaac and the oath involves by swearing to the Lord as He the One who gave circumcision as the sign of His covenant.
3. He ASSURED his servant that God would guide him.
Abraham gave confidence to his servant to fear not for the angel of God is with him. Since Abraham knew that God made a covenant to him, his servant will be successful in finding a bride for Isaac. Also, he remembered that God did the same thing in his life so therefore, He would also do that to his servant.
Now I want to share how the servant of Abraham played an important role in fulfilling the plan of God:
1.The servant swore and put his hand under the thigh of Abraham. Again notice here that after Abraham told his servant that the angel of God will be with him, he swore immediately, meaning he was ready to obey the command of his master. He brought with him the goods of his master and went directly to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.
2.The servant prayed and asked for a sign.
He acknowledged and humbled himself that he can't do the task alone. He told in prayer that may God give him success.
Proverbs 3:6
"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight".
The servant also asked for a sign. A woman who would give him and his camels a drink will be God's appointed one. The answer to his prayer and sign was very quick as before he had finished speaking, Rebekah came out. 1 Corinthians 1:21 says: "For indeed the Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom".
3.The servant bowed down his head, worshiped, and blessed God.
After he confirmed that Rebekah was from the correct lineage, he gave thanks to God because of his success in finding a bride for Isaac. The servant witnessed the faith of his master and how God works in the life of Abraham. Like his master, the servant also learned the need of trusting, praying, and giving thanks to the Giver of success.
-- H A F T A R A H P O R T I O N --
While Judges 19 is one of the most difficult passages in Scripture due to its tragic ending, verses 16-21 offer a glimpse of light—the hospitality of an old man who extended kindness in the midst of lawlessness. A Levite who took a concubine for himself from Bethlehem in Judah. Sadly, the concubine played the harlot against him and left him. She went to her father, stayed there for four months. The Levite with his servant went after her to bring her back. The father shows hospitality by giving him food and drink and let him stay for a couple of days before returning home.
The Levite successfully convinced his concubine to return home but when they were near Jebus( during this time, Jerusalem was under control of the Jebusites), the servant of the Levite suggested lodging in the city of the Jebusites as the day was far away. They spent the night in Gibeah(under the control of Israel during this time) instead, but no one offered a house for them until an old man from the mountains of Ephraim came and saw them in the open square of the city and showed hospitality.
This act of hospitality mirrors the righteousness of our foremother Rebekah, who welcomed Eliezer with a servant’s heart, and ultimately points us to Yeshua, who calls us to show love and kindness even in a fallen world.
- When the Levite, his servant, and his
concubine arrived in Gibeah, no one offered them shelter. This reflected
the lack of hospitality and righteousness in Israel at that time.
- However, an old man from the mountains of
Ephraim, though a foreigner to Gibeah, showed compassion by
welcoming them into his home, providing them with food, drink, and a place
to stay.
- His generosity and hospitality
reflect the same kindness that Rebekah displayed toward Eliezer
when she not only gave him water but also watered his camels—an act of selflessness
and servant-heartedness.
- Just as Rebekah's hospitality led to her being chosen as the bride for Isaac, this old man’s hospitality stood out as a righteous act in an unrighteous city.
This reminds us that in
a world of selfishness and moral decay, true hospitality is a reflection of
godly character.
In Apostolic portion, Apostle Paul encouraged the Ekklesia in Ephesus to walk in the following:
A. Walk Wisely in Adonai’s Ways
Ephesians 5:15-17 instructs believers to walk wisely, making the most of every opportunity and understanding Adonai’s will. This wisdom is not human but rooted in Torah and the guidance of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). This parallels Abraham’s servant in Genesis 24, who sought divine guidance before taking action in finding a wife for Isaac. His dependence on Adonai’s direction exemplifies the wisdom Paul speaks of—walking in righteousness and divine alignment.
B. Be Filled with the Ruach HaKodesh
Ephesians 5:18-20 contrasts being drunk with wine with being filled with the Ruach HaKodesh. The servant in Genesis 24 demonstrates this spiritual principle by praying to Adonai for clarity rather than relying on his own understanding. His prayer and subsequent worship mirror Paul’s exhortation to speak in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, expressing gratitude to Adonai. This reminds us that true guidance and strength come from our connection with Him.
C. Submit in the Fear of Messiah
Ephesians 5:21-24 speaks of submission in the fear of Messiah, using marriage as a model. Just as Rebekah willingly submitted to becoming Isaac’s wife, believers are called to submit to Messiah Yeshua in love and obedience. Rebekah’s response to the servant’s invitation mirrors the bride of Messiah accepting His calling with faith.
Paul describes Yeshua’s love for the community of believers, comparing it to a husband’s sacrificial love for his wife (Ephesians 5:25-27). This love reflects Isaac, a foreshadowing of Messiah, who was willing to be offered as a sacrifice in Genesis 22 and later received his bride. Just as Isaac accepted Rebekah, Yeshua receives His followers, cleansing them and setting them apart for Himself.
Paul concludes by quoting Genesis 2:24, stating that marriage reflects the mystery of Messiah and His people (Ephesians 5:31-33). The union of Isaac and Rebekah symbolizes the greater union between Yeshua and His bride—the community of believers, both Jew and grafted-in Gentile. Just as Rebekah left her past to join Isaac in the land of promise, believers leave their old lives to walk in the covenant of Messiah, bound by His love and righteousness.
This passage calls us to live in wisdom, submission, and love, just as Isaac and Rebekah’s story prefigures our relationship with Yeshua. By walking in Adonai’s ways and being filled with His Spirit, we reflect the unity and holiness of Messiah and His people.
The connection of our parasha is about submission and hospitality, both of which reflect a heart of obedience to God's will and alignment with His divine order.
In the Torah portion, Abraham’s servant exemplifies submission to his master's command and trust in God's guidance as he seeks a wife for Isaac. His prayerful reliance on Adonai and immediate obedience reflect humility and faith. Rebekah, in turn, displays both submission and hospitality—she not only responds to the servant’s request for water but also goes beyond, offering to water the camels, a generous and laborious act. In the Haftarah portion the Levite travels to reclaim his concubine, and she ultimately submits by returning with him. An old man offers them shelter, food and water. In the Apostolic portion, Paul instructed the believers on wise living, and urge them to walk in submission to one another out of reverence for Messiah. The relationship between husband and wife mirrors that of Yeshua and His Ekklesia—wives submit to their husbands as unto the Lord, and husbands love sacrificially as Messiah loves the congregation. This divine model reflects the heart of both Abraham’s servant (who submitted to his master’s will) and Rebekah (who submitted to God’s calling).
Abraham sent his most trusted servant on a mission to find a bride for Isaac, ensuring the continuation of God’s covenant. The servant’s faithfulness and submission led to success. Likewise, we are called to be faithful and submissive to Yeshua, trusting in His plans for our lives.
“Submission to God’s will leads to a life of purpose and success.”
As Abraham’s servant declared, "Adonai has led me in the way" (Genesis 24:27), may we also walk in God’s path, submit to Him and show hospitality as a testimony of His goodness.
Shabbat Shalom,
Topher
Matthew Henry commentary on the whole Bible
missionbibleclass.org
hoshanarabbah.org
news.kehila.org
thetorah.com
King james Version Bible Commentary
The MacArthur Study Bible
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