November 30, 2010 – Bride Price
Scripture: Genesis 24: 52-53 (NIV)
When Abraham’s servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD. Then the servant brought out gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother.
Devotion:
The above verses may seem strange for an Advent devotion. But read on and I think you find that my mind processes are not all that strange.
This is one of the very first references to “gift” in the Bible (at least in the NIV). I find it interesting that basically Abraham’s servant is paying a bride price for Rebekah (at least maybe a token of what is to come). It is an interesting aspect of this idea of gift.
I believe this a foreshadowing of the price that Christ would ultimately pay for His bride. One may not see this as something uniquely Jewish or Christian but I believe it also points to another of God’s gifts to us – the spark of divinity that ties us to Him; no, I don’t think we are divine in any sense but it is that aspect of our nature when God created us “in His image” that connects us to Him. When God breathes life into us, His Spirit dwells within us and we move in the stream in some small way, though imperfect. The “bride price” is something that I believe shows God’s plan for His ultimate gift long before it came to light in the life of man.
Father, You paid more than gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing and costly gifts to buy us back. Your gifts are many and various, from the gift of being created in Your image to the gift of Your Spirit that brings us life. May we come to You as a pure Bride, receiving and cherishing the gifts of Your love. In the Name of Jesus, our Redeemer. Amen.
Thanks for that awesome posting.