Daily Lectionary | Genesis 24 & John 12:1-19
Genesis 24
Summary
Abraham’s servant swears an oath to him that he will find a wife for Isaac not from among the Canaanites but from among Abraham's kindred. Abraham assures his servant that the angel of the Lord will go before him. Abraham’s servant goes to the well “at the time when women go out to draw water.” He prays that the one who gives him a drink of water at the well will be Isaac’s bride.
Rebekah, a very attractive young woman, comes to the well with her jar of water and she gives Abraham’s servant water. She continues to show hospitality to Abraham’s servant, inviting him to come into the house of her father. But it’s Rebekah’s brother Laban who has to give his blessing along with his father for Rebekah to marry Isaac (Gen. 24:50). Again, the role of the brother in giving his sister marriage is significant in Genesis. Even though this is an arranged marriage, Rebekah still had to assent to it, and she does (Gen. 24:58). This perhaps is the first clue to Rebekah’s faithfulness to God’s plan that will become evident in the following chapters.
Rebekah makes her way with Eliezer back to the land of Canaan. Isaac comes from Beer-lahai-roi. This was the well that means “The well of the living one who sees me,” named after Hagar and Ishmael were saved in the wilderness. So Abraham’s servant goes out to a well “toward” evening and meets Rebekah. Now, Isacc returns from a well “towards evening” and sees Rekebah. Rebekah sees Isaac and plays the role of bride covering herself with a veil for her soon-to-be husband.
This passage comes at the center of the Isaac narrative; his mother will play a critical role in the continuation of the covenant promises to Abraham.
Reflection Questions
Wells are watery places that bring life and fruitfulness. How is the well associated with marriage in Genesis 24 (and other places in the Bible)?
Consider how Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman in John 4 plays on the marriage-well theme we see in Genesis 24.
John 12:1-19
Reflection
John again tells us the Passover is near, 6 days away. In Exodus 24:16, “The Glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud” and then the glory of the Lord appeared on a mountain. Jesus’ death on Mt. Calvary, connected with the Passover, will be the revelation of his glory.
Mary has already been introduced in John 11:2 as the one who anointed Jesus, so this event is significant. And the setting is also important: it’s a banquet seen in Bethany (which means “house of the poor”). So when Mary lets down her hair and washes Jesus feet with expensive ointment, this action is seen as scandalous. Judas wants to stop this frivolous waste of resources but not because he cares for the poor but because he himself is greedy.
Interestingly, the resurrection of Lazarus was so well-attested that the authorities decided to put Lazarus to death along with Jesus! Take out the Jesus' best witness!
The crowds welcome Jesus with palm branches, signs of victory but also associated with the Feast of Booths (though this is certainly a Passover setting). The crowds explicitly welcome Jesus into Jerusalem as the “King of Israel” who comes in the name of Yaweh. Quite a powerful acclamation! John paints a picture of a swelling crowd, drawn to Jesus by his signs (especially raising Lazarus). The Pharisees are baffled: “The world has gone after him” (Jn. 12:19).
Reflections
Why was it important for Jesus to be anointed by Mary? What do we learn from this act of devotion?
Describe the political implications of Jesus being welcomed into Jerusalem as a king.