In Bethuel’s House

“And he said, ‘Come in, blessed of the LORD! Why do you stand outside? For I have made the house ready and a place for the camels.’ So the man entered the house. Then he unloaded the camels, and he gave straw and feed to the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. But food was set before him to eat, and he said, ‘I will not eat until I have told my business.’ And he said, ‘Speak.’ So he said, ‘I am Abraham’s servant. The LORD has greatly blessed my master, so that he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds and silver and gold and male and female servants, and camels and donkeys” (Genesis 24:31–35).   

A Picture of the Holy Spirit

Abraham’s servant travels to Mesopotamia to obtain a bride for Isaac. This is an apt picture of the Holy Spirit. The servant was sent out at that time. The Holy Spirit has come to earth in the same way. He is to bring the Lord Jesus a “bride,” the assembly.

Waiting for an Invitation

After arriving in the city of Nahor, he meets Rebekah at the well. She is Bethuel’s daughter. She gives him a drink. She also willingly provides water for his ten camels. By this sign, he recognizes that she is the woman God chose for his master Isaac (Genesis 24:14). After giving her a gold ring and two gold bracelets, he asks her name. He also asks whether there is room to stay in her father’s house. He does not force himself on them. He waits patiently by the spring for an answer. He waits until he is invited into the house (Genesis 24:30–31).

The Lord Does Not Force Himself

The Lord Jesus acts similarly when He reaches the village of Emmaus with two disciples. He first acts as though He were going farther. He enters their house only when they urgently ask Him, “Stay with us!” (Luke 24:28–29). The Lord never forces Himself on us. He wants us to invite Him into our lives. He wants us to leave Him in charge. Do we give Him this “room” in our lives and in our homes? Then He can work and display His authority.

Making Room for the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit acts in this way, too. He can fill us only when we make room for Him. We must become inwardly “empty” of ourselves and other things (Ephesians 5:18). This also applies to our gatherings. The Holy Spirit can guide us only when we give Him the freedom He needs. Before Laban received the servant, he had cleaned the house. He had made preparations. Is our “house” cleaned too? Do all areas of our lives fit His holy presence? Or is it time to “sort out” and “clean up” thoroughly?

Spiritual Matters First

After the servant finally comes into the house, food is set before him. Yet he refuses to eat before delivering his mission. First, he wants to proclaim his message. It speaks of his master’s wealth and greatness (Genesis 24:33–35). For him, the spiritual has priority over the natural. Esau later acted very differently. He sold his precious birthright for a simple lentil stew (Genesis 25:34). This is a warning to us. What has top priority in our daily life? Is it our own needs, or the Lord’s concerns? Consider what the Lord said: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Focusing on What Truly Matters

It is also striking that the servant wastes no time on side issues. He immediately begins speaking about his master, Isaac. We can learn from this. We often speak at length about trivial matters. We then miss the core, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us focus less on trivial matters in our conversations. Let us instead put at the center what truly counts. The Holy Spirit’s great theme is the Lord Jesus’ greatness and glory. That should be our most important theme too.