SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 24
BIBLE VERSES:
“Abraham was now very old, and the Lord had blessed him in every way. He said to the senior servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh. I want you to swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac.” (Genesis 24:1-4)
“Then he prayed, “Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.” (Genesis 24:12-14)
“ Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milkah, who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. The woman was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever slept with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again.” (Genesis 24:15-16)
“Then the man bowed down and worshiped the Lord, saying, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.” (Genesis 24:26-27)
“Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed.” (Genesis 24:50-51)
“So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands may your offspring possess the cities of their enemies.” Then Rebekah and her attendants got ready and mounted the camels and went back with the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left.” (Genesis 24:59-61)
ISAAC AND REBEKAH (vs. 1-67)
When Abraham was old and well advance in years, he told his chief servant to swear by the Lord not to get a wife for his son from daughters of the Canaanites but to go to his own country and relatives to get a wife for his son Isaac. The servant asked if the woman was unwilling to come back with him, shal he take Isaac back to the country he came from? Abraham told him that since God had brought him out from his father’s household and promised to give this land to his offspring, so, even if the woman was unwilling to come with him, Isaac should remain there.
The servant set forth his journey with 10 camels to Nahor. As he was near the well, he prayed to the Lord to show him a sign of his chosen approval. That is: if a woman came to draw water, she was willing to give him and the camel a drink. Before he finished praying, Rebekah, the daughter of bethuel, son of Abraham’s brother Nahor came. When the servant asked for a drink, she not only gave him a drink but also included his camels. When the camels had finished drinking, the servant took out a gold ring and two gold bracelets. Rebekah ran and told her mother’s household about theses things. His brother Laban went to see the the man and invited him to their house. Then the servant told Laban that he was a servant sent by Abraham to get a wife for his son Isaac from his own clan and family. He told him everything that transpired. When Gethuel and Laban heard it, they agreed to let him take Rebekah to become the wife of Isaac. Then, the servant bowed down before the Lord and brought out gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing to Rebekah. He also gave costly gifts to her brothers and mother. They spent the night there.
The following morning, the servant wanted to return with Rebekah. But her mother and brothers wanted Rebekkah to stay for another 10 days more. So they called Rebekah and asked her if she was willing to go with the servant immediately. Rebekah agreed to go. So, they sent Rebekah with her nurse and blessed her.
While Isaac was on the field one evening, he saw camels approaching. Rebekah also saw Isaac and asked the servant who he was. The servant told her that he was her master. So Rebekah took her veil and covered herself. When the servant told Isaac everything, Isaac brought Rebekkah into the tent of his mother Sarah. He loved Rebekah and married her.
THOUGHTS:
Abraham trusted the promise of God to provide them the right woman for his son. The woman must one from within the family of God. She must not be one of the heathen women. It is important for parents not to push their children to marry “into society”. The partner should be a Christians so that God can bless their marriage.
Elizer, the servant of Abraham is an example for us to serve the Lord according to His will. He refused to stay long because he wanted to return home and report to his master just as we must give account to God what he had entrusted to us.
Rebekah had a difficult decision to make. Should she stay home with her family for 10 more days or should she go with the servant at once? She was unaware of what her future will be, but she had faith to make that right decision to enjoy love, companionship and wealth. She became an important part of God’s plan and her name was recorded in God’s Word. Our faith in God will always be rewarded.
The servant of Abraham was looking for a sign of inner beauty. He wanted a woman with a serving and merciful heart. Do you have a servant heart? When you see a need, do you offer to help beyond the minimum?