At some point both Bethuel and Laban must have
recognized the hand of the Lord in the whole matter as narrated by Abraham’s
servant, Eleazar. After Abraham’s departure, Nahor and his family probably had thought
deeper and recognized the Lord’s hand in Abraham’s life. Now Bethuel and Laban came
to the same consensus that they each had no personal opinion of their own. They
were in effect saying since that was the Lord’s orchestration, His purpose and
what He wanted must be done. So they had no objection and consented to Rebekah becoming
Isaac’s wife. Recognizing the hand of the Lord in the whole matter, Eleazar prostrated
before the Lord and worshipped Him. He then gave to Rebekah “...articles of
silver and articles of gold, and garments.” And to Laban and Rebekah’s mother he
gave some precious things. And before they retired for the night, the meal they
ate together must be more delicious than usual.
The next day the servant wanted to make his way home
with Rebekah. But the family had another plan. They wanted to hold Rebekah for
ten days before she left for Isaac. They hoped to have at least another ten
days with her. But the servant was anxious to return home since his mission was
already almost accomplished. Perhaps the parents were thinking that it was too
sudden for Rebekah. They wanted to give her some time to decide if she wanted
to go immediately or not. However, she did not want the delay, she preferred to
follow the servant back. So they sent her and her nurse off together, with
Abraham’s servant. Before they left they pronounced a two-fold blessing over Rebekah’s
life. They pronounced that she would have many children and that her offspring would
be victorious over all their enemies. So Rebekah and her maids together with the
servant’s entourage made their journey back.
Isaac apparently had returned from Beer-lahai-Roi
to the Negev. He was out in the field meditating and contemplating. He was possibly
still grieving over the mother’s death so he went there to reflect over the whole
matter. When he lifted his eyes he saw from a distance, the returning entourage
of the servant. At the same time, Rebekah also saw him from a distance. So she dismounted
and inquired of the identity of Isaac and was told that he was the master. The address
of Isaac as the master suggests to us that Abraham could have died while the
servant was away. If this is the case, the servant probably swore to complete
the mission at Abraham’s deathbed. That accounts for the urgency of getting
Isaac a wife.
When told that it was Isaac, Rebekah quickly put
on a veil and went to meet him. When Isaac drew near the servant narrated the
whole matter to him, telling him all that he had done. He must have included the
providential guidance of God in his recounting. Immediately Isaac accepted
everything. The couple then entered Sarah’s tent and the marriage took place. Isaac
loved her so much and though he was grieving over his mother’s death, he found comfort
in Rebekah. It may be hard for us in our
days to think that a man would accept an arranged marriage. The beauty of Rebekah
might have played a key role. But Isaac’s acceptance was not so much because of
Rebekah’s beauty but that it was the plan of God for his life. In our decision
in life we should choose the path that God had ordained more than the comfort
of outward circumstances. We must learn to live in the centre of God’s will for
our life.
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