A WIFE FOR ISAAC
24 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: 3 and I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: 4 but thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac. 5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest? 6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again. 7 The Lord God of heaven, which took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence. 8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again. 9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.
vs 1 Abraham is 137 when Sarah dies. We can assume this is a little after that. Abraham has been blessed by God.
vs 2 Abraham's servant is unnamed. Earlier in the narrative we see Eliezer is his chief servant in 15:2. In this verse he is unnamed for a reason. Abraham is a type of the Father, Isaac is a type of the Son, and the unnamed servant is a type of the Holy Spirit. Eliezer means "God of help".
vs 3 The servant will swear by God on the family jewels of Abraham that he will not take a wife for Isaac from the women of Canaan. Abraham will dwell in Canaan, but the people of Canaan do not worship the God of Abraham, also they are the descendants of Ham.
vs 4 The servant will travel to Haran, this is where Terah and his family settled after they moved out of Mesopotamia.
vs 5-6 Is there a backup plan. What if no one is found to willing or qualified to be Isaac's wife. Isaac will not be going with the servant. He will remain in the land in which God has promised to Abraham. If he goes to Haran, he may not return, and if he marries a Canaanite woman, he may be influenced to worship their gods. The future bride has already been chosen by God, and the action of faith is what must be done to accomplish Gods will.
vs 7 Abraham recounts all that God has brought about in accomplishing His promises. The singular most important promise is "the seed" promise. The seed that God will not allow to fail will culminate in Jesus, The son of God. God will send an escort to ensure your success.
vs 8 Just in case the will of the chosen is unwilling, then the servant can return being released from the oath.
vs 9 Acceptance of the oath.
vs 2 Abraham's servant is unnamed. Earlier in the narrative we see Eliezer is his chief servant in 15:2. In this verse he is unnamed for a reason. Abraham is a type of the Father, Isaac is a type of the Son, and the unnamed servant is a type of the Holy Spirit. Eliezer means "God of help".
vs 3 The servant will swear by God on the family jewels of Abraham that he will not take a wife for Isaac from the women of Canaan. Abraham will dwell in Canaan, but the people of Canaan do not worship the God of Abraham, also they are the descendants of Ham.
vs 4 The servant will travel to Haran, this is where Terah and his family settled after they moved out of Mesopotamia.
vs 5-6 Is there a backup plan. What if no one is found to willing or qualified to be Isaac's wife. Isaac will not be going with the servant. He will remain in the land in which God has promised to Abraham. If he goes to Haran, he may not return, and if he marries a Canaanite woman, he may be influenced to worship their gods. The future bride has already been chosen by God, and the action of faith is what must be done to accomplish Gods will.
vs 7 Abraham recounts all that God has brought about in accomplishing His promises. The singular most important promise is "the seed" promise. The seed that God will not allow to fail will culminate in Jesus, The son of God. God will send an escort to ensure your success.
vs 8 Just in case the will of the chosen is unwilling, then the servant can return being released from the oath.
vs 9 Acceptance of the oath.
PRAYER TO GOD TO PROVIDE A WIFE FOR ISAAC
10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. 11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water. 12 And he said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: 14 and let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master. 15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. 16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. 17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher. 18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. 19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. 20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels. 21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.
vs 10 The journey is around five hundred and fifty miles. Ten camels will carry everything the party needs as well as gifts for the bride to be, and hospitality gifts for the family. This size caravan will represent the wealth of Abraham, and the type of life that the future bride will enjoy.
vs 11 Camels can go for a week to two weeks depending on the type of travel they are doing. They can drink 30 gallons of water in ten minutes and can drink even more. The water is stored in their circulatory system, their humps store fat that is converted to energy while not eating. So this stop at the well will not be a five minute fill up at the seven eleven. The caravan arrived late in the day, which is the time that women come to the well.
vs 12-13 This prayer is very specific. Sometimes we are able to pray for Gods will to be accomplished in a specific way and other times, all we can do is to ask "thy will be done". The servant knows that his purpose is to find the one that God has chosen for Isaac. He has come the place in which the women of the city will congregate at the same time, placing himself in the best place to fulfill his mission. He is asking God to reveal to him the one He has chosen. In verse 13 the servant tells the LORD that he is ready for the revealing.
vs 14 This part of the prayer will require a young lady that is exceptional. She will have to be friendly and exhibit hospitality that goes beyond norms. She will not simply tell them that they can use the well, she will offer to water the camels. The amount of work that she will do out of kindness will be great. The servant will have confidence in the decision of who to choose based upon God's fulfillment of the request. "Kindness" here can mean: lovingkindness, mercy, faithful love, faithfulness, and steadfastness. The servant prayed this both at the beginning and ending of his prayer.
vs 15 God answers in His time, this time was fast. Before he had finished the prayer, Rebekah showed up. The lineage is important, she is of Abrahams family. Nahor was Abrahams brother who had a son named Bethuel, who had twins named Laban and Rebekah. They are first cousins once removed.
vs 16 She is a virgin. She also was beautiful. Isaac who had grown up with a mother that was exceptionally attractive to men whatever the country she was in, would have to have a wife that he found attractive.
vs 17 The servant sees so much potential in this girl that he runs to meet her. In order to gauge her disposition, he politely asks for a drink from her pitcher.
vs 18 She is very polite in her response to a small request.
vs 19-20 Winner, winner. She not only gives the servant what he requested, but volunteers to do a lot of work in watering the camels. The amount of trips from the well to the trough would have been many. Had the servant made that request of her, it could have been seen as rude. Not only did she water the camels, she did it with haste. Wow.
vs 21 Could the Lord have made it this easy. When God prepares the way, this is what happens.
vs 11 Camels can go for a week to two weeks depending on the type of travel they are doing. They can drink 30 gallons of water in ten minutes and can drink even more. The water is stored in their circulatory system, their humps store fat that is converted to energy while not eating. So this stop at the well will not be a five minute fill up at the seven eleven. The caravan arrived late in the day, which is the time that women come to the well.
vs 12-13 This prayer is very specific. Sometimes we are able to pray for Gods will to be accomplished in a specific way and other times, all we can do is to ask "thy will be done". The servant knows that his purpose is to find the one that God has chosen for Isaac. He has come the place in which the women of the city will congregate at the same time, placing himself in the best place to fulfill his mission. He is asking God to reveal to him the one He has chosen. In verse 13 the servant tells the LORD that he is ready for the revealing.
vs 14 This part of the prayer will require a young lady that is exceptional. She will have to be friendly and exhibit hospitality that goes beyond norms. She will not simply tell them that they can use the well, she will offer to water the camels. The amount of work that she will do out of kindness will be great. The servant will have confidence in the decision of who to choose based upon God's fulfillment of the request. "Kindness" here can mean: lovingkindness, mercy, faithful love, faithfulness, and steadfastness. The servant prayed this both at the beginning and ending of his prayer.
vs 15 God answers in His time, this time was fast. Before he had finished the prayer, Rebekah showed up. The lineage is important, she is of Abrahams family. Nahor was Abrahams brother who had a son named Bethuel, who had twins named Laban and Rebekah. They are first cousins once removed.
vs 16 She is a virgin. She also was beautiful. Isaac who had grown up with a mother that was exceptionally attractive to men whatever the country she was in, would have to have a wife that he found attractive.
vs 17 The servant sees so much potential in this girl that he runs to meet her. In order to gauge her disposition, he politely asks for a drink from her pitcher.
vs 18 She is very polite in her response to a small request.
vs 19-20 Winner, winner. She not only gives the servant what he requested, but volunteers to do a lot of work in watering the camels. The amount of trips from the well to the trough would have been many. Had the servant made that request of her, it could have been seen as rude. Not only did she water the camels, she did it with haste. Wow.
vs 21 Could the Lord have made it this easy. When God prepares the way, this is what happens.
GOD HAS PROVIDED
22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold; 23 and said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father’s house for us to lodge in? 24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor. 25 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in. 26 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the Lord. 27 And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.
vs 22 The servant pays the girl for all her efforts. This is a statement that he has wealth.
vs 23 She is exceptional in her hospitality, how is her family?
vs 24 Jackpot. She is of Abrahams family.
vs 25 Jackpot again. Her family has hospitality to strangers. To feed 10 camels is no small commitment. In addition to that, she offers their home for them to stay.
vs 26 The first part of the mission is completed. The servant bears witness to the power of God to once again fulfill His promise, and worships the LORD.
vs 27 The shows his gratitude for God.
vs 23 She is exceptional in her hospitality, how is her family?
vs 24 Jackpot. She is of Abrahams family.
vs 25 Jackpot again. Her family has hospitality to strangers. To feed 10 camels is no small commitment. In addition to that, she offers their home for them to stay.
vs 26 The first part of the mission is completed. The servant bears witness to the power of God to once again fulfill His promise, and worships the LORD.
vs 27 The shows his gratitude for God.
GOD PROVIDES A MENTOR FOR ISAAC'S SON
28 And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother’s house these things. 29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well. 30 And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well. 31 And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the Lord; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.
THE SERVANT BEARS WITNESS OF GOD'S PROVIDENCE
32 And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men’s feet that were with him. 33 And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on. 34 And he said, I am Abraham’s servant. 35 And the Lord hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses. 36 And Sarah my master’s wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath. 37 And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell: 38 but thou shalt go unto my father’s house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son. 39 And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me. 40 And he said unto me, The Lord, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father’s house: 41 then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath. 42 And I came this day unto the well, and said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go: 43 behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink; 44 and she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the Lord hath appointed out for my master’s son. 45 And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee. 46 And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also. 47 And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands. 48 And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter unto his son. 49 And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.
REBEKAH'S ANSWER
50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as the Lord hath spoken. 52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he worshipped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth. 53 And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things. 54 And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master. 55 And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go. 56 And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the Lord hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master. 57 And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth. 58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go. 59 And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant, and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
REBEKAH AND ISAAC MEET
61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
62 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahai-roi; for he dwelt in the south country. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. 64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. 65 For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. 67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
62 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahai-roi; for he dwelt in the south country. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. 64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. 65 For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. 67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.