Genesis 24

Not only was Abraham grieving over the death of his wife; so was Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah. His mother was gone, and his father Abraham was getting old.

Abraham knew that it was important that Isaac find the right wife. One generation leads to the next, as the Lord blesses. The choices that young people make regarding wives and husbands are very important to the future of their families.

Because he understood the way of mankind and the calling of God upon his son, Abraham sent his servant on a mission to identify the right woman for the future of the Lord's work in this extended family. Abraham sent a trusted servant back to his home country, a man who knew that it would only be by the hand of God that the right woman would not only be selected, but also that she and her family would agree to her departure. She would be called to live as Isaac's wife without every having met the man she would marry.

Abraham solemnly instructed his servant on two very important matters: He should not find a wife for Isaac from the Canaanite women around whom they lived, and he should not take Isaac back to the land of the Arameans when he went to find a wife. Isaac would live in the land that God had revealed to him, Canaan, but his wife would absolutely not be a Canaanite.

Abraham counted on the help of heaven to guide his servant to the right girl, and Abraham's servant had no recourse but to turn to God for his supernatural aid in a task that seemed very likely to result in failure.

Abraham's servant went back to the land in Mesopotamia from which they had come so long ago, but he did not go empty-handed. His master was a wealthy man, and he used that wealth in accord with the customs he understood. Even today there are many lands where one who seeks a bride must bring the bride price. This was the case in Abraham's day as well.

But Abraham's servant was seeking more than money could buy: the blessing of God that cannot be purchased. He sought God in prayer and asked for a confirming sign. The right woman would show care not only for him as a thirsty man in the desert, but she would take initiative to care for his camels. Anyone can think what they wish about this test, but the proof of the process would not come in a woman showing commendable care for the beasts, but in her willingness and the willingness of her family to give a favorable response to the man's unusual proposal.

The Lord led him to just the place at just the right time. Of all the girls in the ancient Near East, Rebekah, a relative of Abraham, came to that very well as soon as Abraham's servant finished his prayer. She took care of his thirst first, but then also drew water for his camels.

Decisions of marriage are never just the private concerns of a boy and a girl. These are family matters and even community concerns. Even to this day, traditional marital rites reserve a special opportunity to show approval for this relationship by the father of the bride, the relevant religious authorities, and the public more generally. Rebekah's family would have to agree with this plan, and they would insist that Rebekah show her own willingness to go to another land to be the wife of a man whom none of her immediate family had ever seen.

Abraham's servant did not delay in revealing his errand and in seeking the approval of the girl's family in this important mission. The men who seem to be in charge of Rebekah's family hear the story of what has transpired, and they note the hand of God in all that is taking place. This is the key for us in every step of significance in our lives. Is this thing from the Lord? Do we have the patience to wait for God's good provision?

Rebekah's brother and father give their consent, but is it still provisional? We will not really know what is happening here until Abraham's servant is allowed to go in peace with the woman who will be the mother of Esau and Jacob. It is the next day when that clarity comes, when Abraham's servant insists that he must go back to his master. They try to delay him, but he will not agree. Then the matter of Rebekah's full willingness to go immediately is addressed. Will she actually leave her family and her home and be the wife of Isaac? They call her and ask her. This blessed provision is not actually concluded without her full agreement. Yes, she will go. The Lord has blessed this great endeavor. The girl who gave water to the camels will be the mother of the man who will be Israel. From her line shall come the Shepherd of all the Lord's sheep.

When she says, “I will go,” a new chapter in the history of salvation begins. They send her away with words of blessing that fit this great occasion, and when Isaac sees this beautiful girl who is his wife, he is comforted in his grief that he had from the death of his mother.

The story of the Lord's people is a wonderful love story. It is the story of a holy union between the Prince of Peace and His glorious bride, the church. We have been brought into such an astoundingly advantageous marriage! This has surely come to us entirely by the hand of God. This costly wedding, paid for by the precious blood of our holy Redeemer, is not against our will. The Spirit has oriented our hearts toward a new and better home. We have happily agreed to our blessed relationship with Jesus, and He has brought us near to Himself with joy.