Verse 1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.
God kept His promises to Abraham.
Verses 2-4 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: 3 And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: 4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
Abraham used two names for God, Yahovah (the existing One) and elohiym (God, ruler, judge). He acknowledged that there was/is a spirit being that exists and rules and/or judges everything man can see in the air (heaven)and on the ground (earth). Later, in the New Testament, believers are commanded not to swear by anything but to just say “yes” or “no”, but Abraham did not have this command and therefore wanted to make his servant’s oath as powerful and as binding as possible.
Application: Christian believers simply say “yes” or “no” and do not swear by anything because God owns everything.
Verse 5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
The servant’s task given to him by Abraham was specific, but the possibility of completing it was questionable as the servant had no knowledge about the kindred of Abraham and about either the availability and suitability of a woman for Isaac or about her desire to travel to an unknown destination to marry a man she had never seen. It was a reasonable request to take Isaac along so that he could choose a wife and she could decide if Isaac would suit her as a husband.
Verses 6-9 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again. 7 The Lord God of heaven, which took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence. 8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again. 9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.
Abraham had obeyed the LORD and left his family. He did not want his son, who was the heir of the promises, to go back to the place he had left. Later, it will be seen that Isaac’s son does return to Abraham’s kindred and ends up spending a lot of time in servitude to his relatives. Abraham is certain that the LORD will work out all the details. This writer is not able to comment on the practice of placing a hand under the thigh of a person when swearing an oath. Perhaps more will be found about this practice later in the Scripture.
Application: Often true conversion leads to the born again Christian having to leave the “land” or the things of this world and to leave family if they are not converted and following Jesus Christ. Once the Holy Ghost/Spirit of God is indwelling a believer, he/she is unequally yoked with the unbelievers in his/her family and there will be strife because the family members have a different spirit living in them or directing them to the things of this world and to the things of the Devil. So like Abraham, who in his wisdom knew he should not send his son back to be influenced by the family that God had directed him to leave years before, the Christian believer may have to distance himself/herself from the ungodly influence of family members and simply follow after the LORD.
Verses 10-11 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. 11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
Not much is known about this servant, including his name. However, he was a powerful man in that he controlled all of Abraham’s estate, and therefore could take whatever he wanted for the journey. The ten camels would have been loaded with gifts. Ten is the number of worldly government or worldly control and this task was entirely a worldly one and would entail delicate negotiations with the kindred of Abraham.
Verses 12-14 And he said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: 14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
Water fetching and carrying seemed to be a woman’s job in the Bible and is still done by women today in third world agricultural cultures. Livestock were usually given water in the cool of the morning and the evening. So it was logical to park the camels near the well. The servant appealed to the LORD and established a scenario that he would like to have happen in order to confirm that the woman he met was indeed the one the LORD had prepared for Isaac.
Verses 15-16 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. 16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
Before the servant had finished his prayer to God, the answer arrived in the form of Rebekah who was a second cousin to Isaac.
Application: God is at work in the affairs of mankind. He knows what His people need before His people know. When praying to the LORD about something or someone, be assured that, even if the answer to the prayer seems to be delayed, the LORD has already been working on the situation and He has everything under control.
Verses 17-20 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher. 18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. 19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. 20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
The odds of Rebekah saying and doing exactly what the servant had requested to happen were not very high, but with God all things are possible. So confirmation was given to the servant that this woman was the one chosen by God for Isaac. Rebekah’s character is seen here as she is kindhearted, helpful and hardworking.
Verses 21-23 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not. 22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold; 23 And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father’s house for us to lodge in?
Abraham’s servant had a lot of time to watch Rebecca and process his thoughts. It takes a long time to water ten camels with a pitcher (Hebrew word “kad” meaning a large portable jar) as they drink a lot of water at one time. It appears that the servant gave Rebekah gifts for watering his livestock and presumably for also providing water for himself and for the men accompanying him. This afforded him the opportunity to ask her more questions and to find out more information.
Verses 24-27 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor. 25 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in. 26 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the Lord. 27 And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.
As soon as the servant understood that Rebekah was of the kindred of Abraham and that he could lodge at her house, he worshipped the LORD. God had answered his prayer and he immediately both visibly and audibly gave Him praise and worship.
Application: In this writer’s many church experiences, outward shows of thanksgiving, praise, and worship of the LORD were not encouraged. Why is it that the believer is trained to sit and be quiet in the very place where believers go to meet with the LORD? Abraham’s servant did not care what Rebekah or any of the people gathered at the well thought when he prayed and gave thanks. Perhaps believers should be a little more demonstrative when out in public and give the LORD that to which He is entitled: our praise and worship. Think about it.
Verses 28-31 And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother’s house these things. 29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well. 30 And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well. 31 And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the Lord; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.
Remember the man Laban as he will be seen later in the Genesis account. Perhaps Laban was just curious, or perhaps Laban was more interested in the jewelry that had been given to his sister and in the wealth of the man with the camels. Hospitality was a main part of the culture in those days, and so offering a place to spend the night to a stranger was common.
Verse 32 And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men’s feet that were with him.
Laban was a good host in that he took care of the camels first and then provided water for Abraham’s servant and men. Because footwear in those days usually consisted of sandal like shoes, dirt was always on the feet. So the custom was to offer foot washing to travelers. This undoubtedly was not only a comfort action but a way to keep the houses a little cleaner also.
Verses 33-38 And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on. 34 And he said, I am Abraham’s servant. 35 And the Lord hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses. 36 And Sarah my master’s wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath. 37 And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell: 38 But thou shalt go unto my father’s house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.
Meat in the Bible refers to food, not just to the flesh of animals. Abraham’s servant wanted to complete his task and therefore he refused a meal until he had explained his mission. The task was more important to this man than his physical hunger. The servant presented Isaac’s credentials in that he was rich and could provide a good marriage with Laban’s sister.
Application: Abraham did not want his son married to a wife from another nation, tribe, or tongue. He did not want foreign influence in his son’s life, and so the quest for a wife from his relatives who were Syrian like Abraham and Sarah was to ensure Isaac a wife who shared his culture and values. This action by Abraham is an example for Christian believers in that they should not seek a wife or husband outside of the Church. They should not allow the influence of an unbeliever into their lives and should therefore find a spouse who is like minded and serving the LORD Jesus Christ so that they have the same Biblical values and can raise their children in the fear and admonition of the LORD.
Verses 39-49 And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me. 40 And he said unto me, The Lord, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father’s house: 41 Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath. 42 And I came this day unto the well, and said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go: 43 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; 44 And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the Lord hath appointed out for my master’s son. 45 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. 46 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. 47 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. 48 And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter unto his son. 49 And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.
Abraham’s servant repeated the entire narrative to Rebekah’s family and asked for an answer. He was quick to give the LORD credit for all that had happened.
Verses 50-52 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as the Lord hath spoken. 52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he worshipped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth.
Laban’s and Bethuel’s relationship with the LORD is not explained in the Scripture. Today, a person can talk about “god” and not be referring to the creator of the universe. People in Abraham’s day had many gods, so it is not known if Rebekah’s family worshipped the one and only true God that Abraham worshipped and trusted. Regardless, they were not going to interfere with what they understood to be a situation created by God, and so they were willing to let their daughter/sister go with the men. The servant once again, in humility and reverence for God, bowed to the ground and worshipped the One who was directing his path. His actions were a testimony to Laban and Bethuel that the God of Abraham was in charge and was to be exalted.
Verses 53-55 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. 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. 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.
Rebekah’s family was rewarded with expensive gifts and the deal was sealed. Only then did the servant of Abraham and his men enjoy refreshment. Here again is the number 10 representing worldly government or control. Rebekah’s family wanted to wait ten days. But God was in control and wanted Rebekah to be on the way to Abraham’s camp and to Issac.
Verses 56-61 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. 57 And they said, We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth. 58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go. 59 And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant, and his men. 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. 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.
Abraham’s servant was a master at diplomacy and reminded the family that he was on a mission ordained by God and he therefore did not want to be delayed from returning to his home.
Application: The Hebrew people did experience opposition from other nations or individuals in their years of history and this is recorded in the Bible. When following the LORD, those in the world hate the believers. It has always been the case and it will continue until the end of time. Just read the book, Foxes Book of Martyrs, to see how true believers have been treated by unbelievers down through time. But the statement in verse 60 above is also a foreshadowing of how the true seed, Jesus, would be treated and hated by those He came to save. Jesus, who resurrected from the grave and who sits on the right hand of God in Heaven, does possess the gate (door, entrance) of those who hate Him. He determines their eternal fate.
Verses 62-67 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahai-roi; for he dwelt in the south country. 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. 64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. 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. 66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. 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.
This scene is reminiscent of so many movies that have shown two lovers running across a field into each other’s arms to live happily ever after. But life is not necessarily full of happy endings and, as the reader will see, Isaac and Rebekah have many challenges in their marriage that do not have movie perfect endings.