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34The servant explained:
I am Abraham's servant. 35The Lord has been good to my master and has made him very rich. He has given him many sheep, goats, cattle, camels, and donkeys, as well as a lot of silver and gold, and many slaves. 36Sarah, my master's wife, didn't have any children until she was very old. Then she had a son, and my master has given him everything. 37I solemnly promised my master that I would do what he said. And he told me, “Don't choose a wife for my son from the women in this land of Canaan. 38Instead, go back to the land where I was born and find a wife for my son from among my relatives.”
39I asked my master, “What if the young woman refuses to come with me?”
40My master answered, “I have always obeyed the Lord, and he will send his angel to help you find my son a wife from among my own relatives. 41But if they refuse to let her come back with you, then you are freed from your promise.”
42When I came to the well today, I silently prayed, “You, Lord, are the God my master Abraham worships, so please lead me to a wife for his son 43while I am here at the well. When a young woman comes out to get water, I'll ask her to give me a drink. 44If she gives me a drink and offers to get some water for my camels, I'll know she is the one you have chosen.”
45Even before I had finished praying, Rebekah came by with a water jar on her shoulder. When she had filled the jar, I asked her for a drink. 46She quickly lowered the jar from her shoulder and said, “Have a drink. Then I'll get water for your camels.” So I drank, and after that she got some water for my camels. 47I asked her who her father was, and she answered, “My father is Bethuel the son of Nahor and Milcah.” At once I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms. 48Then I bowed my head and gave thanks to the God my master Abraham worships. The Lord had led me straight to my master's relatives, and I had found a wife for his son.
49Now please tell me if you are willing to do the right thing for my master. Will you treat him fairly, or do I have to look for another young woman?
50Laban and Bethuel answered, “The Lord has done this. We have no choice in the matter. 51Take Rebekah with you; she can marry your master's son, just as the Lord has said.” 52Abraham's servant bowed down and thanked the Lord. 53Then he gave clothing, as well as silver and gold jewelry, to Rebekah. He also gave expensive gifts to her brother and her mother.
54Abraham's servant and the men with him ate and drank, then spent the night there. The next morning they got up, and the servant told Rebekah's mother and brother, “I would like to go back to my master now.”
55“Let Rebekah stay with us for a week or ten days,” they answered. “Then she may go.”
56But he said, “Don't make me stay any longer. The Lord has already helped me find a wife for my master's son. Now let us return.”
57They answered, “Let's ask Rebekah what she wants to do.” 58They called her and asked, “Are you willing to leave with this man at once?”
“Yes,” she answered.
59So they agreed to let Rebekah and an old family servant woman leave immediately with Abraham's servant and his men. 60They gave Rebekah their blessing and said, “We pray that God will give you many children and grandchildren and that he will help them defeat their enemies.” 61Afterwards, Rebekah and the young women who were to travel with her prepared to leave. Then they got on camels and left with Abraham's servant and his men.
62At that time Isaac was living in the southern part of Canaan near a place called “The Well of the Living One Who Sees Me.” 63-65One evening he was walking out in the fields, when suddenly he saw a group of people approaching on camels. So he started toward them. Rebekah saw him coming; she got down from her camel, and asked, “Who is that man?”
“He is my master Isaac,” the servant answered. Then Rebekah covered her face with her veil.
66The servant told Isaac everything that had happened.
67Isaac took Rebekah into the tent where his mother had lived before she died, and Rebekah became his wife. He loved her and was comforted over the loss of his mother.
Reflect
Actually, Abraham had only two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. One arrived through human conniving, the other through God’s promise. Isaac. The youth who as good as died on an altar built of wood his father had laid on his back. The son whose life returned to him when God provided a ram instead (22:9-19).
Though scripture keeps silent on Abraham and Isaac’s relationship after the incident on Mount Moriah, it is not silent of implication. At this stage, it seems that Isaac remains close to his family’s dwellings. His father’s riches are his(v 36). His father’s God is his. His father’s servant is his (v 65). And his also, his father’s grief.
Isaac mourns deeply (v 67) for his mother, Sarah. Abraham watches his beloved son wrestle with grief. Perhaps a decades-old memory stirs…the mountain, the altar, the boy bound. The knife, the voice, the ram . . .and the promise,“ . . . because you did this . . . I will give you countless descendants, as many as the stars in the sky and as the grains of sand on the seashore.(22:16, 17)”
“Father Abraham had many sons, Sir,” children would sing, centuries later, around glowing campfires. Abe, whispers God, those countless descendants I promised? Can’t happen unless Isaac takes a wife. Make a list, man.
Start dictating, God…
She must be pure. Eager to serve. Ready to accept the family wealth. She must wear the garments you provide. She must embrace your son wholeheartedly. And she will be beautiful.
Only in prophecy’s backlight, do we see these perfect “pre-flections.” Isaac—Jesus Christ. Rebekah—the Bride of Christ: those who comprise his beloved Church, for whom he is preparing a place to dwell forever—where all weeping over sin will be past.
Just as Abraham sent a servant to find Isaac a wife, God searches for his Son’s Bride, people who will keep growing his family, generation after generation. His list? Hearts washed whiter than snow in Christ’s blood, and minds like Christ’s mind. People clothed in Christ’s own righteousness. Reflections of his Son.
Do you take this Jesus?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a7p6CG9DW8
Respond
Jesus, lover of my Soul . . . I do.
Kathleen Gibson
Kathleen began following Jesus at six. The Word and words have captivated her ever since. Her career has included time as a freelancer, columnist, broadcaster, conference speaker, workshop leader and magazine editor. She has authored two books and currently works full-time as constituency and communications assistant for a Canadian Member of Parliament. Kathleen and her husband, Rick, spent thirty years pastoring churches across Western Canada. They have two children and six grandchildren. Publications: Practice by Practice, the art of everyday faith, 2010, Word Alive, Winnipeg; West Nile Diary, one couple’s triumph over a deadly disease, 2009, BPS Books, Toronto; Sunny Side Up, Faith and Life newspaper column, published weekly since 2001. (Also posted weekly at www.kathleengibson.ca/sunnysideup); 90 second inspirational radio spot, Simple Words, airs on a syndicated program in over twenty countries