Scripture
Now Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?”
“He is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself.
Then the servant told Isaac all he had done. Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. Genesis 24:62-67
Observation
This is a scene straight out of Hollywood. A technicolor sunset. A string of camels cast long shadows in barren hills. Wind sweeps through the raven hair of a beautiful woman perched on thick camel rugs. Golden sun bathes the face of a handsome man standing in a field of waving grasses. The camera pans. The music swells. She veils her face. He runs to her. Get out the kleenex. God is gearing up to save the human race through one family, and this is the stroke of romance he rubs into the story.
In the blurred background of the wide angled shot is a wrinkled old man, leaning on his staff. His face is streaked with satisfaction. It is Eliezer of Damascus. His job is done and done well. He had been sent out to find a wife for his master’s son. The instructions were specific. Only God could have put it together. He would have to travel for months. He would have to locate a town, a street and a house without a map. There would be strangers to convince. It was all very improbable. But it took just 24 hours once he arrived. She heard. She packed. She went. Isaac met Rebekah and they fell in love. It was all God-stuff.
Application
Where am I in this story? I’m not Isaac in the field. I like to think of him like Jesus. I don’t think anyone would confuse me with Rebecca. She reminds me of the bride of Christ, the local church. If there is anyone I would like to be in this story, it would be the weathered servant in the background looking with satisfaction on a man and a woman who had found each other and fell in love.
This may all sound very Valentinish, but it is what ministry is all about. I am a pastor. I’m not the main attraction. That would be the bride. I’m not the head of the church. That would be Christ. My job is to bring the bride to Christ and get out of the way. Eliezer is not heard from again. Why should he be. His job is done. Viewing the love of Christ for his bride and the bride for her husband is all the reward I could hope for. It is time to exit stage left and let love take over.
Prayer
Father, it is good to get perspective on my ministry from the long run of history. One day, every pastor, will step aside as love takes over. Every church wall will vanish. All congregations will blend as one. The music will swell. The main thoroughfare of heaven will team with ten thousand times ten thousand walking toward you. Us pastors will be in the back. Our work will be done. Until then, help me to live and work with this in mind. Jesus is the star. I am not drawing a crowd for myself but a wife for him. The greatest performance I will give is getting out of the way. So I choose that now as my motivation. Amen.
