Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 24:28-51. Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+24&version=NASB1995
I quote only the following verses.
“Then the girl ran and told her mother’s household about these things. Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban; and Laban ran outside to the man at the spring. When he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, “This is what the man said to me,” he went to the man; and behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. And he said, “Come in, blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside since I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels?” So the man entered the house. Then Laban 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 when food was set before him to eat, he said, “I will not eat until I have told my business.” And he said, “Speak on.” … So now if you are going to deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, let me know, that I may turn to the right hand or the left.”
Then Laban and Bethuel replied, “The matter comes from the Lord; so we cannot speak to you bad or good. Here is Rebekah before you, take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the LORD has spoken.”
When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the ground before the LORD. The servant brought out articles of silver and articles of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother. Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night. When they arose in the morning, he said, “Send me away to my master.” But her brother and her mother said, “Let the girl stay with us a few days, say ten; afterward she may go.” He said to them, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.” And they said, “We will call the girl and consult her wishes.” Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.” Thus they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse with Abraham’s servant and his men. They blessed Rebekah and said to her,
“May you, our sister,
Become thousands of ten thousands,
And may your descendants possess
The gate of those who hate them.”
Then Rebekah arose with her maids, and they mounted the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.” Genesis 24:28-22 and 49-61.
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We need the favor of God above all which often includes the favor of men.
Despite the servant doing everything he could in fulfilling Abraham’s commission, the servant realized that he needed the favor of Laban, Bethuel, Rebekah, and her mother.
Any one of them could refuse his offer, and so the servant said; “So now if you are going to deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, let me know, that I may turn to the right hand or the left.” Verse 49.
We see clearly and repeatedly in today’s Scripture the favor that Laban, Bethuel, Rebekah, and her mother all had toward the servant.
But, as a quick side note, we also need to realize that there are times, even many times, when we should not seek the favor of men!
“As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:9-10.
But, with that exception in mind, today’s Scripture leads us to focus on favor with God and men, so today’s devotion will examine some Scriptures on this favor.
“For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD,
You surround him with favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12.
“But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.” Genesis 39:21.
“I will grant this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be that when you go, you will not go empty-handed. But every woman shall ask of her neighbor and the woman who lives in her house, articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and you will put them on your sons and daughters. Thus you will plunder the Egyptians.” Exodus 3:21-22.
“For how then can it be known that I (Moses) have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?” Exodus 33:13.
“Then she (Ruth) fell on her face, bowing to the ground and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” Boaz replied to her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know.” Ruth 2:10-13.
“Now the boy Samuel was growing in stature and in favor both with the LORD and with men.” 1 Samuel 2:26.
“So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.” 1 Samuel 18:5.
“Now the young lady (Ester) pleased him (King Ahasuerus) and found favor with him. So he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and food, gave her seven choice maids from the king’s palace and transferred her and her maids to the best place in the harem. … The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.” Esther 2:9 and 17.
“Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials,” Daniel 1:9.
“And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52.
“10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The LORD favors those who fear Him,
Those who wait for His lovingkindness.” Psalm 147:10-11.
“For he who finds me (wisdom) finds life
And obtains favor from the LORD.” Proverbs 8:35.
“A good man will obtain favor from the LORD,
But He will condemn a man who devises evil.” Proverbs 12:2.
“14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
To turn aside from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding produces favor,
But the way of the treacherous is hard.” Proverbs 18:14-15.
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing
And obtains favor from the LORD.” Proverbs 18:22.
“4 Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones,
And give thanks to His holy name.
5 For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for a lifetime;
Weeping may last for the night,
But a shout of joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:4-5.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 