A Bride For Isaac

 

Genesis 24 – A Bride for Isaac

 

Abraham was 137 years old and had acquired a lot of wealth.  We might conclude he was an equivalent to a millionaire in our days.  He was a very blessed man.  His most valuable possession was his son Isaac, who was to inherit everything that belonged to Abraham. One thing Isaac was lacking was a wife, so Abraham instructed his oldest and most trusted servant to go in search of Isaac’s wife. Abraham told his servant not to take a wife from the Canaanites but from his relations in the Country Abraham started from. That is Mesopotamia.  His servant asked Abraham what to do if the woman refused to return with him.  Should he return and take Isaac to her?  But Abraham said Isaac is not to go to Mesopotamia since Canaan was promised to Abraham and his descendants.  He said, “God will send His angel before the servant, but if she refuses to come, then the search is over.” Abraham’s faith led him to believe that God will provide a wife for Isaac, and she will return with the servant.  So, the servant took ten camels and began his journey.  When he arrived, he settled his camels by a well of water where he prayed to God.  He asked God to show him the woman by her agreeing not only to give him water but his camels water too.  A camel can drink 53 gallons in three minutes.  Since there were ten camels she had to carry 530 gallons of water.  By my calculations that would take 30 minutes to fill all the camels not counting the many steps she took to the well and back.  So, we know this is a tall order he is asking the Lord but for the woman too.  Before he finished praying, Rebekah, Abraham’s niece, Isaac’s cousin showed up to draw water from the well.  After the introductions, she offered to give him and the camels a drink. After the servant waited for half and hour to an hour, he presented her with jewelry and asked her for lodging in Nahor’s, (Abraham’s brother’s) house.  After this the servant praised God and Rebekah ran to their home and got his camels settled.  They offered him food, but the servant said he will not eat until he told of his reason for being there.  He explained what happened and how God answered his prayers.  Laban and his brother Bethuel gave Rebekah to him.  They spent the night and left the next day.  Her family blessed her and said their good-byes.  When they arrived in Canaan, Rebekah ran to Isaac, and she then became his wife.