Lesson 13 A Wife for Isaac

Reading: Genesis 24

In the previous lessons we have learned how the Canaanites have been cursed by God because of their lifestyle and religion. Their fertility cult is hated by God, but over the centuries there is no change for the better. God knew that this situation would deteriorate until they would be ready for judgment (like Sodom), so he promised their land to Abraham’s offspring. For a long time it seemed that Abraham would not have any children, until finally –in old age– Abraham and Sarah received their promised son: Isaac.

We must sense the conflict: Abraham’s seed (the seed of the woman, Gen.3) is dwelling among the accursed Canaanites (the seed of the serpent). Abraham is fully aware of the danger, and he takes precautions to separate himself and his people from Canaan. Abraham faces the urgent task to secure a bride for his son, especially now Sarah has passed away. So, he sends his servant to find a wife among his relatives ‘up north’ in order to avoid intermarriage with Canaan. Yet, just as he must avoid intermarriage with Canaan, he also must ensure that his son will not return to the land from which the Lord has called them. So, Isaac’s bride-to-be must be willing to leave her family to live in Abraham’s tents.

Abraham calls his most trusted servant, perhaps Eliezer (see chapter 15: 1, 2), for a mission to find a wife for his son Isaac. He makes it clear that Isaac is not to marry a Canaanite woman and that he must remain in the land that God has promised to their offspring. The servant does not go empty-handed; he travels like the ambassador of a mighty king, with a number of other men and an entourage of ten camels! This caravan travels north to the land where Abraham lived before his travel to the lands of Canaan.

When they arrive at their destination, the caravan stops outside the town of Haran. Time and place are right, for this is when and where the young women meet to water their family’s flocks. However, the servant does not only or primarily rely on the circumstances, he prays specifically for God’s guidance and blessing for his master Abraham. He makes a very specific request; when asked for a drink, Isaac’s future wife must volunteer to get water for the whole group of thirsty animals. That will be God’s sign that she will be God’s chosen bride for the son of Abraham! Never before in Genesis did we read about such prayer!

While he is in prayer, a good-looking girl of marriageable age approaches the well. When he asks her
for a drink, she indeed offers to get water for him as well as for his animals... until they have had enough. You may not realize the kind of commitment she makes, for camels can drink and store huge amounts of water. Therefore she may have to get many hundreds of liters of water; a job that could take hours to complete!

When she has finished the job, Abraham’s servant gives her a precious gift and asks if he could spend the night at her family’s place. He learns that the girl’s name is Rebecca and that her father is one of Isaac’s cousins, so he praises God for blessing his journey to bring him to the right place. Rebecca, meanwhile, runs home to tell her family of the meeting and to prepare accommodations. Apparently

her father is incapable of running the household, for it is her brother who takes the initiative. Yet, Laban’s first concern is not to provide hospitality to the man but to gain some of his wealth.

When they arrive at Rebecca’s family farm, all men and animals are provided for. But, Abraham’s servant insists to share his story before starting on the meal. So, he tells them all that has happened, and how –as Abraham had promised- the Lord had blessed him on his mission. So, he requests that they first answer him: Will Rebecca come with him and marry his master’s son? The men reply: “What can we say? It is the Lord’s will, so it is good! Take Rebecca, so she may marry your master’s son, according to the will of God!”

So, the servant again thanks God, and then he brings out his gifts; a great dowry with presents for all. Afterwards they enjoy the evening and spend the night. The next day, however, the men of the house try to delay the departure and request that Rebecca stay for another ten days before she leaves. Although this request was not unusual, the servant insists that they leave soon. The men suggest they ask Rebecca if she is prepared to go with him. The story gives credit to Rebecca for her ready commitment to leave.

Apparently, Rebecca’s family is fairly wealthy too, for she has her personal wet nurse as well as several maids, which accompany her as she leaves. Near the end of the journey they meet Isaac at Beer Lahair Roi, the well where Hagar exclaimed “I have seen the One who sees me!” (16: 13, 14) Interestingly, Rebecca sees Isaac, but then she covers her face to avoid him seeing her. Yet, the Lord looked after Abraham’s son. Rebecca became his wife, and he loved her.

Food for Thought

1. 1  Consider Abraham’s servant: he is not passive, yet he fully relies on God. Godly people pray and trust in God, while meanwhile they obediently work in accordance to His will. God controls and guides all parties, and even though some might act from selfish motives, God does not allow this to prevent the outcome that he planned. Give another example from the Bible, and one from (personal) history.

2. 2  Yet, this is not just another bride-for-a-son story: the selection of the right woman is essential for the proper building of God’s Kingdom on earth. This woman is to become the mother of Israel! Through her the promised Messiah will come to conquer Satan and to rule God’s Kingdom forever! Therefore, the faithfulness of Abraham and his servant are just as important as the human side of events as God’s providence (controlling providing)! The two sides do not exclude each other; throughout the Bible we learn how everything is ruled by god, while humans always maintain an active role of responsibility, in which they make decisions with real consequences! This is a mystery, yet it is one we must learn to accept if we are to trust God and His revelation to us.

3. 3  The story goes like a fairy tale. Yet, although it may be called “a match made in heaven”, this is no guarantee of a good family life and a “happily ever after...” We will soon learn how Satan and sin can spoil a good gift of God. Any gift gives joy, but it also implies a mandate, a responsibility. What are some of the greatest gifts of God to humankind, and how have they been abused?