Found in Genesis 24 is one of the most beautiful portraits in all the Old Testament of Christ
and His mission to Earth. The parallels are both innumerable and inspirational. As Jesus sat at this well in the warmth
of a January sun, it is not too far fetched to think that this very passage may have been forefront in His mind.
(One of the most rewarding studies for any Bible student or reader is to look for Old Testament types that are
fulfilled in the New in Christ.) Allow the Holy Spirit to speak from your own scriptural knowledge to your heart
of this Old Testament type to glean wonderful insights into His nature and mission.
Numbers in RED (1,2,3,4,5,7,8) are stated in Genesis and
the parallel is found in other locations in the New Testament, but not specifically stated in John 4.
The scriptures to the left of the parallel are the verses in Genesis 24 and their parallel
( / ) in John 4.
For example: in #12, verses
15-16/7 are:
Genesis 24:15-16/
John 4:7.
Genesis / John
Gen.24:3
1.
A father's will revealed.
Gen.24:4
2.
A divine mission to obtain a wife for the father's son.
Gen.24:6,7
3.
The son is not to live there, rather she is to be brought to the father's house.
Gen.24:7
4.
The angel of the Lord will precede the servant.
Gen.24:8
5.
The servant's obligation will be fulfilled if she chooses not to come. She has a choice.
9-12 / 4
6.
A faithful servant's loving obedience.
Gen.24:12
7.
A servant's prayer for the father's will be done.
Gen.24:14
8.
The servant's prayer for the chosen one to be revealed. (Jesus said: "All that the Father gives to me will come to me..." - John 6:37.)
10 / 5
9.
The servant is in a foreign land on a divine mission for the father.
13 / 6
10.
The scene is at a well.
14 / 6
11.
The servant is weary and thirsts.
15-16 / 7
12.
A woman from the foreign city comes to draw water (by divine appointment).
17 / 7
13.
The servant asks water of the woman.
18-20 / 25
14.
She has a willing spirit and sincere heart.
22 / 26
15.
The servant accepts the woman's actions as revealing her to be the chosen one of the father.
28 / 28-29
16.
The woman, with excitement and haste, leaves him at the well to go and tell others what has happened to her.
29-30 / 30
17.
Her hearers respond and go out to him to see and hear for themselves.
31-32 / 40
18.
He is invited and received into their homes.
33 / 31-34
19.
He is offered food, but refuses until his mission is completed.
34-49 / 41
20.
He proceeds to reveal to them the father's purpose for them in his coming.
50-51 / 42
21.
They are responsive to his message, and obey.
52 / Jn.17
22.
The servant offers his thanksgiving prayer for the accomplished mission. (Compare to John 17.)
Further parallels may be seen in the remainder of Genesis 24 concerning
Christ and His relationship to the Church, His Bride. Again, allow the
the excitement for self-discovery here.
