9 Camels Worth

When Abraham sent his servant, Eliezer, to find a suitable bride for his son, he sent along a small caravan of camels. There were ten, to be exact (Gen 24:10). These were laden with gifts for the bride-to-be, Rebekah.

(Gen 24:53 MKJV) And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother.

This is where it gets tasty. You see, Eliezer is a picture of the Holy Spirit. It's the Holy Spirit that wins the bride for the Father. It's the Holy Spirit that is the comforter (the meaning of Eliezer). I suggest to you that Eliezer rode on the first camel, leaving nine camels bearing gifts. Yes, that's right... If you get the Holy Spirit, you receive gifts.

1Co 12:7-11 MKJV
(7) But to each one is given the showing forth of the Spirit to our profit.
(8) For through the Spirit is given to one a word of wisdom; and to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit;
(9) and to another faith by the same Spirit; and to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
(10) and to another workings of powers, to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; and to another kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues.
(11) But the one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing separately to each one as He desires.

Listed, these are:

1. The Word of Knowledge
2. The Word of Wisdom
3. The Gift of Prophecy
4. The Gift of Faith
5. The Gifts of Healing
6. The Working of Miracles
7. The Discerning of Spirits
8. Different Kinds of Tongues
9. The Interpretation of Tongues

There are 9 camels worth of gifts. If you have never experienced any of these in your spiritual walk, it is cause to question whether or not Eliezer has ever visited your house. Notice that all of these were for the bride. Some of the bride's family received precious things as well. How were they used? We are not told... but ultimately we know that Laban's house wasn't the most respectable of houses. Yes, gifts can be abused. Some can even be employed by those who are not the Bride. Is this cause enough to send a few camels back where they came from? Is this cause enough despise some of the gifts?