Camels. Yes, Camels.
There is something truly beautiful about exploring biblical contexts and uncovering the meaning behind a symbol, picture, or expression that was familiar both in the days of Christ and long before His coming.
I was asking the Lord what He had to say, and I heard that old expression so many in the church have used: “the camels are coming.” I tried hard not to roll my eyes — I may even have muttered, “Really?” under my breath — and then settled when He responded, “Actually, yes.” Our conversation continued as I asked what on earth He meant by these camels and why they mattered.
Before going further, I should mention that I have ridden a camel before, and I have no desire to do so again. Ever.
I was with friends in Africa, taking a camel stroll along the beach at Diani in Kenya, and I spent most of the time praying for the journey to end because of how uncomfortable it was. That was made even less enjoyable by the camel owner trying to overcharge me financially, though thankfully I knew enough Swahili to understand what was happening.
Back to biblical camels and their arrival.
In Genesis 24, the camels played a key role in the unfolding story of Isaac and Rebekah. Abraham’s servant, who had been tasked with finding a wife for his son Issac, asked God for a clear sign in order that he would know he’d found the right woman. Rebekah’s response to the camels revealed far more than simple hospitality. Her willingness to go the extra mile showed that she was diligent, caring, and generous, and it gave the servant a glimpse of her true character.
The camels were also carrying Abraham’s dowry gifts for the bride’s family, making them part of a larger picture of provision and blessing. In that world, camels represented wealth, mobility, and connection across long distances. They were like ships of the desert, opening the way for travel, transfer, and new possibilities.
So, when the camels arrived, they were not just bringing goods — they were bringing an invitation into a new season. For Rebekah, that moment marked the beginning of a life of faith, provision, and adventure.
In Isaiah 60 (the much quoted “Arise and shine” chapter) we see a beautiful prophetic picture of Jerusalem being restored. It is a picture of God’s people rising out of darkness and stepping into the radiance of His light. And the camels have a role in that story too.
They came towards Jerusalem carrying much more than people and goods. The passage speaks of them bringing good news and “the praises of the Lord.” In that sense, the camels are not only a sign of provision, but also a sign of restoration — the restoration of honour toward God and the restoration of worship among His people.
So, the coming of the camels becomes a bold proclamation: God’s light has arrived, and with it comes everything that His presence brings — hope, provision, honour, and praise.
There is so much in these scriptures for us today. God often speaks to us through ordinary things. Camels remind us that He catches our ear and our eye by using practical, everyday things we understand, so that His message becomes clear. Prophetically, we need to pay much more attention to the everyday around us. In those days it was camels. What is it today that God uses to give the same kind of message?
Go the extra mile. That choice shows who you really are far more than what you say. A person can say all the right things and still act in an entitled way — and that attitude can close doors, shutting down what God intends to be an invitation into adventure. We need to learn what the “camels are saying to us.” In Rebekah’s case, she had to learn that provision and purpose go hand in hand.
Over this summer, some of you will be invited into a new adventure. You will be welcomed into fresh friendships that open doors into lands you never imagined you’d reach. The Spirit of the Lord is saying to you: the camels are coming — don’t miss them, or what they bring. As Patricia King said a while ago, a new season is unfolding within you.
As you move forward with a YES, you will respond to a new sound — one from within, and one that the King Himself is longing for you to release. For too long, many of our songs have been serious and lacking in joy, and to be honest, many of us lived wrapped in misery simply because it has become comfortable. The “arrival of the camels” is speaking today about the restoration of joy and worship. Joy is always attached to restoration. And the Light of God — that you and I are called to rise into — will draw people who are hungry for what is being restored in you.
So don’t just sit there this summer. Live ready. Be active in preparation. Make sure there is oil in your jars and a readiness to step into a different kind of journey. You see, the camels are not coming to stay put. They are there to pick you up and take you somewhere. God is calling you to go, to get up, and to stop being fearful or passive. He is inviting you to prepare for a journey that is blessed for this particular season — one filled with light, hope, and something that will take you well out of your comfort zone.
One more thought, remember my bold statements at the beginning about how I would never ride a camel again? After reading Genesis and Isaiah, and writing out all of these thoughts, I have to acknowledge: I may have to rethink that stand. Because I have never been one to say no when God invites me into something fresh and unexpected.
I hope it is that way for you as well.
Rebecca King