“And she (Rebekah) hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water and drew for all his camels.” Genesis 24:20
Dear Ones:
The Bible is full of ideas and concepts that are a contradiction to culture and mindsets. Such is the case concerning the matter of true freedom of heart. The world would have us believe that “freedom” is basically doing what one wants and chooses to do, when and where one chooses. However, the argument can be made that this concept could just as well be described as ‘licentiousness,” that independence of mind and heart that has no respect for the other person, nor for their well-being, only for personal fulfillment and self-realization. The Bible offers us another picture of what true freedom is, one where there is satisfaction, fulfillment, and an assurance of usefulness and fruitfulness in the sight of God. There is joy in that freedom, a self-less joy that is given by God. Such was the case with Rebekah, the “bride to be” for Isaac. We find her mentioned in the 24th chapter of Genesis, living with her family in Mesopotamia, near the city of Nahor. Abraham had sent his most trusted servant to seek a wife for his son Isaac, from among his family members, those sharing like faith in God. But how will the servant, who is a man of God, and a man of prayer, discern and be sure of the “one appointed” for Isaac? Upon his arrival, he makes his camels to kneel down by a well of water in the evening, when the women of the city would come to draw water. It is then that he prays a very specific prayer: “O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray Thee, send me good speed this day and show kindness unto my master Abraham.” (24:12) It is then that he prays, that not only would the woman he would address, give him water from the well, but that she would offer to draw water for all of his camels, giving them to drink. Why did he pray this? It has to do with the heart of the woman that God would choose, one that was not only a joyful servant of God, but one that was free because of her selflessness. Such would be the case of Rebekah, who not only responded to the servant’s request for water, but who, against the culture of her time, and certainly contrary to all selfishness, offered to draw water for all of his ten camels, until they were satisfied. It takes a lot of water to quench the thirst of even one camel, let alone ten. And yet, we find that Rebekah’s freedom of heart, and her joy, is reflected in that she “…ran again to the well, to draw water, and drew for all his camels.” (v.20) Here is a woman of faith, joyful and free, in her heart to serve. This is what the servant was looking for, even more than the fact that Rebekah was “…very fair to look upon.” (v.16)
In the book of the Song of Solomon, we find a bride who is not so free. It is true that she loves her bridegroom, as she recognizes his voice, declaring him to be her beloved. The bride groom has been absent for a time, tending to his responsibilities and calling with regard to his flocks. He has returned, and calles to his bride from outside of the house. His call to her is that she should open the door to let him in. She is moved by hearing his voice, and seeing his hand through the door. However, she is encumbered, weighted down by the blessings of her circumstances. She does not run to the door, but slowly moves towards it, with “…hands dripping with myrrh.” (5:5) She is not free from the preoccupation with herself, and blessings. She opens the door, but her beloved is gone. However, there will come a day, when she will arise, and go forth with a free heart, declaring: “I am my beloved’s and my beloved’s mine.” (6:3)
Dear Father, Give us free, unburdened hearts to love and serve Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad