“Hi, my name is Eliezer, and I am sent by my master to know from you if you are willing to be a bride for his son. My master is not particularly kind to anyone that does not agree to his requirements for cooperation. So I am warning you ahead of time of the consequences of saying no to this proposal. This could be the only chance for you because you never know about tomorrow, so you better say, ‘yes’. Now before we close this conversation, I want to know your answer, ‘yes’ or ‘no’? ”
The above monologue is my summary version of a preaching in a funeral service I was at recently. Like it is often, the one officiating the ceremony took the opportunity to remind those present that physical death is the entrance to eternity and that whether one is saved or not at the point of death determines where the eternity will be spent. For the saved, this will be in heaven, while for the unbelieving, it will be in the lake fire, being punished for not accepting the invitation. The atmosphere was very sombre and I was not surprised when the invitation was made at the end and no-one responded. Even if I were a non believer, I don’t think I would have accepted the invitation under the same circumstances. As I thought about the love God has for the Church and the length He went to secure her as a bride for His Son, I felt a little sad. Compare with me the above pitch and the type below:
“34 And he said, I am Abraham’s servant. 35 And the Lord hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses. 36 And Sarah my master’s wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.37 And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell 38 But thou shalt go unto my father’s house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.:……..58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.” (Gen 24)
With such a presentation of the glories of the bridegroom’s Father, any bride would be convicted, ….Rebekah could simply not resist. May our eyes be opened to the richness of our (including they that shall believe through us) inheritance in Christ; joint-heirs of God with Christ.