Who doesn’t love a sweet ‘love’ story? Whether it’s in a book, a movie, or you see it unfold in real life ~ there is just something about that first moment when they meet. Isaac undoubtedly knows why Eliezar had been gone. Perhaps he had been anxious about who he would bring for him or if he would find anyone suitable for him. Either way, when Eliezar and Rebekah arrived, Isaac was out meditating in the field. As for Rebekah, she knew she would soon meet the man God had planned for her to marry. Having left her family so willingly, I can only imagine she was ready, if not eager, to become his wife. When she looked up and saw a man walking in the field to meet them, Eliezar told her it was Isaac. She covered herself with a veil, indicating that she was not only “fair to look at” or “very beautiful,” as one translation says (Genesis 24:16 but also modest. Commentator David Guzik explains that the veil “signified chastity, modesty, and submission.” He goes on to say, “This was how Rebekah wanted to meet the man she would marry.”
Rebekah also serves as an example that God can hand-pick our spouse for us, and then unite us with them through His divine providence š She, volume 4/p56
Eliezar tells Isaac all that had transpired on his journey and the outcome of his mission; undoubtedly, he included the way God had made it clear that Rebekah was the one. Then Scripture gives us a bird’s-eye view of their “wedding,” telling us that “Isaac took Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent, and she became his wife … and the best part is the confirmation that it was truly a love story, as we are told that Isaac loved her” (Genesis 24:65-67). God richly rewarded/blessed Isaac, not only did he love her, but she was someone who brought him comfort.
Reflection and Application
How does this encourage you to follow the Lord’s direction?
In our previous post, we traveled with Eliezer, Abraham’s oldest servant, to Abraham’s homeland1. Abraham, desperate and determined that Isaac not marry a Canaanite woman, had sent Eliezar on a mission to find a wife for his son Isaac from among his own people. Eliezar took the mission seriously, promising Abraham that he would do just as he had requested. He not only relied on Abraham’s promise that God would send an angel to help him, but when he arrived in the land of Abraham’s brother, he prayed a very specific prayer. We read it on yesterday’s journey and again today as he recounts both the prayer and God’s answer to Rebekah’s family.
And I came this day unto the well, and said, OĀ LordĀ God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:
43Ā 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;
44Ā And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom theĀ LordĀ hath appointed out for my master’s son.
45Ā 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.
46Ā 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.
47Ā 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.
48Ā And I bowed down my head, and worshipped theĀ Lord, and blessed theĀ LordĀ God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter unto his son. ~Genesis 24:42-48
Friends, praying ‘specifically’ not only builds a more personal relationship with God, but it also enriches our prayer life with trust, confident boldness, and joy. Last year, when I was going weekly to the knee doctor and my knees were really bad, I would pray for God to save me a parking place. I would remind Him of my pain and how the parking lot gets so crowded, and the steps in the parking garage were excruciatingly painful. I would pray the day before, the morning of, and on the way to the appointment. I learned to watch for His answers and would often laugh and rejoice as I pulled up and saw an empty spot or a car backing out of a spot very close to the door. A smile would line my lips, and praise would flow forth.2
This is similar to how Eliezar responded when God so specifically answered his prayer: from
Rebekah showing up at the well
to her offering not only Eliezar a drink
but also his camels, just as Eliezar had prayed
and then finding out she was the daughter of Abraham’s brother
26 The man bowed low and worshiped theĀ Lord.Ā 27 Praise theĀ Lord, the God of my master, Abraham,’ he said. ‘TheĀ LordĀ has shown unfailing love and faithfulness to my master, for he has led me straight to my masterās relatives.’
Genesis 24:26-27
~God’s attentiveness to the prayers of His people is evident and a tremendous encouragement, not to mention a source of motivation for us to pray specifically. Even more so would it have been an encouragement to Rebekah and her family when they sat together hearing Eliezar recount his prayer concerning a wife for Isaac, his master’s son, and how Rebekah (not knowing his prayer) had responded just as he had prayed. Now she had listened as Eliezar retold why and how God had led the servant to them, and why he believed Rebekah was the one God intended for Isaac. So, when given the choice to stay or go, she said, “I will go”. As we will see in the remainder of our Journey, “Rebekah has many blessings awaiting her because of her willingness to do what the Lord had purposed for her”.3
Rebekah also serves as an example of what can be found when we are willing to go where the Lord directs.
~She, Volume 4/p54
Reflection and Application
Where is the Lord directing you to go?
Then I heard the Lord asking, āWhom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?ā I said, āHere I am. Send me.ā ~ Isa. 6:8
Me From the Inside Out 