The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17 (NIVUK)

During his earthly ministry Jesus made a core statement about the Old Testament scriptures, ‘…These are the very Scriptures that testify about me…’ (John 5:39) These scriptures, including God’s dealings with Abraham, in some way point to Jesus.

God gave Abraham a promise that his progeny would become a nation from which the Messiah would come. Consequently, God gave Abraham a son, Isaac, by grace when his wife Sarah was past childbearing age. 

In Genesis chapter 24 Abraham gave his chief servant a mission to go to Nahor in Mesopotamia and bring back a bride for his son. The servant, uncertain of success, asked Abraham what if the woman was unwilling to return with him. Abraham replied that God would send his angel to guide the process but if the woman was unwilling to return with him then the servant would be released from his obligation.

The servant set off with ten camels carrying all kinds of his masters’ goods as a dowry; the father and son were prepared to pay a great price for the bride. After a journey of about 450 miles he reached a well outside the town of Nahor. There he prayed for a sign to recognise God’s chosen bride for Isaac.

Rebekah came to the well and fulfilled the sign by giving water to the servant and his camels. The servant began to reveal some of the son’s wealth by giving Rebekah a ring and two bracelets of gold. Later, at her home, he revealed more of his master’s wealth and Rebekah voluntarily agreed to be the bride of Isaac. On the journey to the promised land she must have asked the servant many questions about his master Isaac, but subsequently she had a personal relationship with him, for ’Isaac…married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her…’ (v. 67).

Today God sends his servants, the church, out into the world to reveal the riches of his Son, through the gospel. But the servant does not know who will respond to those riches. It is the role of the Holy Spirit to call those God has chosen to be his bride. As the header scripture states, the Holy Spirit and the bride, in unison, give out the gospel invitation and play their respective roles in bringing those whom God chooses on a journey to a personal relationship with the Son, so that they may partake of the free gift of the water of life.

Prayer
Father, we thank you for the love you have for all humanity, help us to play our part in revealing that love, through your gospel, to the world. Amen.