In the 23rd of Genesis the death and burial of Sarah the mother of Isaac is recorded. Figuratively, this represents the setting aside of Israel, the custodian of the promises, and of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came. Chapter 24 announces Abraham's purpose to secure a wife for his son, saying "unto the eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:and I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:but thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac."

As we purpose looking at the spiritual meaning of this command, we will anticipate by saying that in this chapter Abraham sets forth God the Father; Isaac-Christ rise-a; the servant-the Holy Spirit; and Rebecca-the Church, which even now is called the Bride (Rev. 22:17).

HER ORIGIN AND NATURE

are suggested in the words, "Thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac." Similarly, in Hebrews 2:11 the Lord's people are owned by Him as His brethren, inasmuch as " both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one." They have His nature. So also is it taught in figurative language in John 12:24, saying, " Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone:but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." That is to say, in incarnation the Lord was alone in His unique manhood, but in resurrection has companions who have derived their being from Himself. No doubt the " fruit" of Christ's death will fill the universe of bliss by and by, but Christians are part of that fruit now. In Genesis 2:21-23 we see what answers to the corporate aspect of this; for it says the Lord God cast Adam into a deep sleep, and while he slept took a rib from him, of which He made a woman, so that when she was brought unto the man he said, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh:she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man."

How plainly this illustrates what is taught in Ephesians 5:25-33, that "no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the Church:for we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones."

Having thus seen her origin and nature, let us look at the present

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BRIDE.

In verses 12-14 of our chapter we learn that the servant prayed for marks by which to identify the woman who would be suited to Isaac, saying, " Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:and let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also:let the same be she that Thou hast appointed for Thy servant Isaac." And Rebecca approved herself as this woman by refreshing the weary, and voluntarily giving water to the camels also, until they had "done drinking."

And is it not so with Christians ? Most assuredly it is. The Lord said, " He that believeth on Me … out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water;" and the volume of Scripture almost closes with the Spirit and Bride's invitation, "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." How beneficent are believers! How evangelical is the assembly! It is not that the latter preaches, or is the subject of preaching, but accord with the heart of God is its normal atmosphere. To this it may be said that it has long since ceased to be a faithful witness. Most true! But we are looking at what is characteristic, and not at what is abnormal:besides, as to fact, where is there any real unselfish regard on earth for men to-day outside the Lord's people, poor and limited though it be ?

In returning to our chapter, we shall now see

THE PRESENT OCCUPATION OF THE BRIDE,

exemplified in Rebecca's journey to Isaac. Her reply to the question, "Wilt thou go with this man?" had been, "I will go." But this involved her placing herself in the care of him who came to report the greatness of Isaac; it involved a journey through a foreign land where, possibly, danger and difficulty lurked, but where, in the custody of her guide, she could learn increasingly of Isaac; learn more of him who was born by Sarah to Abraham when she was old; learn how Abraham had given unto him all that he had; learn how he was offered in sacrifice on Mount Moriah and received back from the dead "in a figure."

And thus employed it is that the Holy Spirit conducts us to Christ. He brings before us (just as He
reminded the disciples of it) what Christ taught when upon earth (John 14:26); He brings demonstration as to the solemn condition of this world; He opens our view toward the world to come-as it is said He will show us "things to come; " He receives of the things that are Christ's ("All things that the Father hath are Mine") and shows them unto us (John 16:7-15). This leads us to consider

THE DESTINY OF THE BRIDE,

as declared in the words-"And Isaac . . . lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. And Rebecca lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us ? And the servant had said, It is my master:therefore she took a veil, and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebecca, and she became his wife; and he loved her:and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death."

"He loved her." And oh, how soon that meeting "in the air" will take place, after which the marriage of the Lamb will be celebrated,, and His wife through endless ages bask in the unclouded light of His presence, and learn increasingly the love He so fully exhibited when He gave Himself for her. And she will surely respond as she ought to do.

No doubt, it may be said, there is another side to consider. As a responsible public body on the earth, the words uttered by the Lord to Ephesus-" Thou hast left thy first love" – certainly describe the church-state to-day, and have done so for many centuries. But solemn although that be, what supports the heart in a day like this ? Nothing but the love of Christ for His people. Think of the good word He spoke of old to Philadelphia:"I have loved thee" (Rev. 3:9). It is not that a limited number of believers are exclusively loved by Christ. He loves, and will continue to love, all His own, and that in spite of everything:but those who heed His word; who seek to maintain individually what Christ's thoughts for all His people are; who seek, through much stress and pressure, to overcome the world in the professing Church; who are compelled therefore to receive contempt from that which bears the name of the Lord, are kept in the way of righteousness and supported in it by nothing other than the enjoyment of the love He bears toward all His people, and which all will so fully realize and respond to when at His side. They are like the disciple who could speak of himself as "that disciple whom Jesus loved."

Finally, let us remember that the narrative says, "Isaac was comforted" after his mother's death:portraying how our Lord endured the sorrow of Israel's defection; how He accepted the temporary loss of His rights as Messiah; how He "sold all that He had " because of the compensation, the satisfaction, the joy, He found in His Assembly-the Bride, who through all eternity will minister grateful and especial service to Him, as indeed she does now.

"O God ! with great delight
Thy wondrous thought we see :
Upon His throne, in glory bright,
The Bride of Christ shall be."

R. J. Reid