When the eldest servant had described to the family of Rebekah, how the Lord God had led her to him as he sought out a bride for his master’s son, Isaac, he went on to request the kindness of the family of Rebekah to give her hand in marriage to Isaac. His request was one of finding favor and not in any sense demanding, for he said “if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell: and if not, tell me (as well) so that I may turn to the right or to the left” in order to continue his search. (Genesis 24:49-51).
To this, Laban, the brother of Rebekah and her father Bethuel, both said, “This proceeds from the Lord and we cannot speak unto thee bad (refuse) or good (accept). Behold, Rebekah is before you, take her and go so she may wed Isaac, as the Lord has spoken.”
This account indicates that both Laban and Bethuel perceived that the Lord was at work and did not want to stand in the way of God’s messenger on a mission.
Points to ponder:
From this account, we can learn that as servants of God on the mission, seeking the bride (Church) for our Savior, Jesus Christ, we must not be demanding but out of respect and love seek the kindness of whom we seek, requesting them to be kind and true with our master and Lord. And if you are not on a mission for the Lord God, when God sends his messengers on a mission, let us not stand in their way, so that they can proceed with the mission and not have to turn to the right or to the left.
Genesis 24:49-51 (KJV)
49 And now if ye 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.
50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.
51 Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as the Lord hath spoken.