Genesis 24 "Issac's Wife Rebekah"

Genesis 24 is about when Abraham sent his servant back to his kindred to get a wife for Issac.

In the first part of the chapter Abraham calls in his servant and tells him a couple of things. First, that he would not take a wife for Issac from the people where he was living. Second, that he would not take Issac back to Abraham's original home. Third, that he would go back to his kindred and find a wife. The servant was concerned that Issac's future wife would not come with him and so mentioned taking Issac there to get his own wife but Abraham was adament that Issac was not to go back to the homeland because God had promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants. I think Abraham might have been afraid Issac would get distracted back there and decide to stay or something but the Bible does not say why Abraham was so firm on Issac not going with the servant.

V1 "And Abraham was old and well stricken in age and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. v4 But thou shalt go unto my country and to my kindred and take a wife unto my son Issac.

The next section of the chapter is the servant praying for a sign so he would know which was the right woman for Issac. He told the Lord God (of Abraham) to have the woman willingly give him a drink after he asked and then to voluntarily offer to water his camels. As soon as he had finished praying, here came Rebekah and did just that. The servant gave her gifts and she went back to her family to tell the story. Big brother came out to talk with the stranger and invited him to stay and bed down. There the servant tells the narrative of why he was there. They did not have TV so I guess it was a good story to them.

v28 "And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things."

The family agreed that the matter was of the Lord and that Rebekah would go with the servant so the men had a little party. The Bible does not say what the women were doing now but it is easy to imagine that there was some whispering going on somewhere in the house and a young lady gathering up some personal things for the journey. Perhaps someone said, "I wonder if he is handsome?" Or what ever things ladies wonder about. The next morning the family got a little apprehensive about Rebekah leaving and bargained for letting her stay 10 more days but the servant wanted to leave without delay. So they decided to ask Rebekah if she would go.

v58 "And they called Rebekah and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go."

Then we have the journey back to where Issac was. I expect there was some conversation on the way but I do not know what it was. I can imagine that Rebekah may have ventured a question about Issac. "What's he like?" I can imagine the servant saying, "Oh, he is a lot like his father. His mother was very fair." At last, they arrive.

V64 "And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Issac, she lighted off the camel."

It is a beautiful story with a spiritual application as well. Issac is a type of Christ in this story with Rebekah being the church and the servant representing the Holy Spirit and, of course, Abraham, the aged one, representing the Father.

The servant had only good things to say about his master. He never demanded of Rebekah to go with him but woed her for his master's sake. He gave her gifts and told his story. Then upon her arrival and when she saw Issac, she sounds excited.

v65 partial ..."What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us?" Then the servant answers. v65 "It is my master:" As if to say, "That is who I've been telling you about."

Note of interest: The servant had been referring to Issac as his "master's son' to this point. Now, when Rebekah asked who the man is the servant replies Oh that's "my master". That was a wise servant to elevate Issac in the presents of his bride. It was prophetic too for in the next chapter Abraham gives Issac all that he has.

Now Issac was not out there exactly on purpose to meet them. He was meditating in the field and saw them coming. He kept his mouth shut about that part as I would have. I expect the whole thing was arranged by the Lord.

v63 "And Issac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes and saw and behold the camels were coming."

So Rebekah must have a really good impression of her husband. She has been sought from a far country and showered with gifts. Her future husband has apparently come out to meet her and she finds out that Issac is the master. No wonder she jumped off the camel like that. I expect Issac was having a good day too!

The Holy Spirit is woeing people to come be part of the bride of Christ, the church.

Proverbs 18:22 "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord."