Isaac And Rebekah Are Married
March 8, 2020
Commentary
The servant took every advantage that he could to share about Isaac and to invite Rebekah to give herself to this unseen man who was dwelling far away (vv. 52-57). However, he did not attempt to coerce or force her to make a decision. Rebekah could have had a hundred reasons why she should say no to the invitation of going to be Isaac’s wife. She could have said, “It is too far from home” or “I don’t want to give up my present lifestyle.” However, there were no excuses, she simply said, “I will go” (v. 58). At that point her mother and brother did ask the servant if they could wait a week before leaving and the servant said, “Don’t make me stay any longer, now let us return (vv. 55-56).”
Immediately after her big decision to go she started her long journey to meet the bride groom. Rebekah was not left to stumble along as best she could, but the servant was there to guard and guide her every step of the way (vv. 59-61). The more she learned about Isaac the more she yearned to meet him. At first, He was just a name but gradually she became more eager to meet him face to face. As the journey progressed the less she thought about her past and the more she longed to see him. At his same time Isaac was waiting in his father’s presence until the appointed time when he could go forth to meet his bride. The time must have seemed long, but finally the great day came when Isaac went to meet his bride and escort her home (vv. 62-67). Today the Lord Jesus is waiting at God’s right hand. One of these days the time of waiting will be over, and He will arise and go forth to meet His bride which consists of us who know and are anxious to be with Him.
Application
Just as the servant guided and protected Rebekah the Holy Spirit guides and protects me as I commit myself to Christ. As I journey through this life, I can be sure that He will see me safely home.
Genesis 24:52– 67 (NET)
52 When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed down to the ground before the Lord. 53 Then he brought out gold, silver jewelry, and clothing and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave valuable gifts to her brother and to her mother. 54 After this, he and the men who were with him ate a meal and stayed there overnight.
55 But Rebekah’s brother and her mother replied, “Let the girl stay with us a few more days, perhaps ten. Then she can go.” 56 But he said to them, “Don’t detain me—the Lord has granted me success on my journey. Let me leave now so I may return to my master.” 57 Then they said, “We’ll call the girl and find out what she wants to do.” 58 So they called Rebekah and asked her, “Do you want to go with this man?” She replied, “I want to go.”
59 So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, accompanied by her female attendant, with Abraham’s servant and his men. 60 They blessed Rebekah with these words: “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands of ten thousands! May your descendants possess the strongholds of their enemies.”
61 Then Rebekah and her female servants mounted the camels and rode away with the man. So Abraham’s servant took Rebekah and left.
62 Now Isaac came from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. 63 He went out to relax in the field in the early evening. Then he looked up and saw that there were camels approaching. 64 Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel 65 and asked Abraham’s servant, “Who is that man walking in the field toward us?” “That is my master,” the servant replied. So she took her veil and covered herself.
66 The servant told Isaac everything that had happened. 67 Then Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent. He took her as his wife and loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.