We will begin this lesson with Genesis 24:52″ And it came to pass,
that, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD,
[bowing himself] to the earth.”
In the last lesson, we read that the servant had found a wife for
Isaac. The family consented to the marriage. Then the servant bowed down and
thanked God.
Genesis 24:53 “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.”
It was the custom in those days for the father of the groom to give
things of value to the family of the bride, but this was much more than the
ordinary, mainly because of the great wealth of Abraham. The gifts to
Rebekah partly were to make her appearance befitting someone of such statue
in their area. Isaac’s bride should be properly attired.
Genesis 24:54 “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.”
His mission was accomplished and after celebrating the victory, the
servant was anxious to go back and show his master the beautiful maiden for
Isaac. You can imagine the shock to Rebekah. The question was, was she ready
to go?
Genesis 24:55 “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.”
This request seemed to be not too much to ask, in the face of the fact
that Rebekah just heard of these people the day before. I am sure her mother
wanted to help her prepare, and they would miss her, so they wanted to savor
just a few more days with her.
Genesis 24:56 “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.”
We can see his side, as well. He was anxious to share the good news
with his master.
Genesis 24:57 “And they said, We will call the damsel, and inquire at
her mouth.”
As was the custom in those days, her parents had decided for her who
she would marry. Finally, she was included, then.
Genesis 24:58 “And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go
with this man? And she said, I will go.”
This seemed so unusual to send your daughter with an unknown man into a
strange country, but they all believed that this was by God’s request.
Genesis 24:59 “And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse,
and Abraham’s servant, and his men.”
This was the first indication that Rebekah had been from a well-to-do
family, as well. They sent her nurse.
Genesis 24:60 “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.”
The more children you had, if you were a Hebrew, the more blessed you
were. This blessing, unknowingly of them, spoke of the 1000’s of millions
(Christians) who truly are descendents through Abraham.
Genesis 24:61 “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.”
Rebekah took some of her servant girls with her. This was the custom in
those days. The ten camels came in handy, so the girls did not have to walk.
Separation from family is always difficult, but going into a strange country
away from family would have been extremely difficult.
Genesis 24:62 “And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahai-roi; for
he dwelt in the south country.”
The meaning of the name of this well was the well of him that liveth
and seeth me, or the well for the vision of life. Undoubtedly Isaac had
prayed there, from the meaning of the well’s name.
Genesis 24:63 “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.” Genesis 24:64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw
Isaac, she lighted off the camel. Genesis 24:65 “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.”
Rebekah did not want her first meeting with Isaac to be while she was
on the back of a camel. She really knew in her heart who this man was, but
she just wanted confirmation. It was the custom in that country, for the
lady to be covered with a vail, until after the wedding. In many Arab
countries today, women wear vails in public, even if they are married. Their
dresses cover even their ankles. This is modesty carried to the extreme. In
most countries of the world, women do not wear slacks. It is just popular in
the United States.
Genesis 24:66 “And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.”
Just as the servant told Rebekah’s brother how he had prayed, and how
Rebekah came to the well and gave drink to him and his camels, he, also,
related the story in detail to Isaac. He wanted Isaac to realize that God
had chosen his bride for him. After all these details, there should be no
doubt.
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Genesis 24:67 “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].”
It seemed as though Isaac and Rebekah moved into his mother’s tent from
the statement above. Sarah was already dead when Isaac and Rebekah married.
The Scripture did not say how long it has been since Sarah had died, but it
does say that Isaac was comforted by Rebekah. Being her only child, you know
that Sarah had given Isaac her undivided attention. Their bond had to be
great. Even Abraham had loved Isaac so much that he had left all of his
wealth to him, as we read in our last lesson.
Even though Rebekah was chosen without Isaac’s approval, he had a great
love for her.
In the next lesson, we will read on about Abraham and his other wives
in chapter 25 of Genesis.