Abraham, now old age, sent his servants to go to his homeland in search of a wife for Isaac. Abraham detailed the instruction very clearly and even ask the servant to take an oath. Subsequently the servant was very diligent in following Abraham’s instruction. He asked God for a sign/confirmation, to confirm that the lady who would give water to him, shall be the one. Rebecca came and confirmed that sign. Rebecca then agreed to follow the servant back and became Isaac’s bride. Isaac loved her very much.
The chapter is opened with a bold declaration – God blessed Abraham in all things. We have now seen Abraham’s journey together, the mistake, the setbacks, the agony, the victory, the joy, the promises fulfilled, and right after the previous chapter of his agony after Sarah’s deaths, the writer declared and affirmed God’s blessings, now in view of Abraham old’s age to prove that.
Abraham sent his servants with a very meticulous instruction and the servant, his right hand man who managed his affairs, took it very seriously. We can witness also his faith to YHWH how he surrendered it to God’s guidance.
It’s a divine appointment. Everything went smooth. Rebecca shown her character of her willingness to serve by providing the water from the well. Little did she know that it was the sign that the servant asked God. Rebecca then was willing to follow the servant. Isaac saw Rebecca and fell in love and so was Rebecca when she saw Isaac (well I did my own expansion a bit here) – but I think it is fair enough to pass any exegeses lecturer, as the writer said:
Rebecca took the veil meaning: it was a sign of her virtue, reverence, humility, and modesty and showed respect for her future hubby.
Isaac was comforted after Sarah’s death: let me tell y’all – only love can comfort agony.
Here is today’s take away:
Many times we ask God for divine sign and divine appointment, little did you know, God works divinely in your life, if you surrender your life to him. Whether some events look very miraculosly or some very natural, does it matter? Are we trying to limit God’s unlimited acts and wisdom and can we comprehend Him fully? Technically is there any difference of supernatural or natural, to God? It’s the same thing for him, right?
So, walk today in faith, knowing that no matter what, as you surrender your hands to Holy Spirit to walk, He is walking with you in divine arrangement.
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Now a few trivia / cues I find in the story, but I am not able to find the meanings that are useful:
Isaac came from Beer Lahar Roi – not Beersheba where Abraham stayed – the place is the important place of the well where God helped Hagar and Ishmael. Isaac made peace with Ishmael? (Later on both Abraham and Isaac stayed at Hebron, Sarah’s tomb)
Isaac was meditating in the field – the original word is not pointing to praying, it’s more like musing or daydreaming, appeared only once in the Bible
The genealogy of Rebecca is described strangely with an importance placed on Milcah, her grandma, uncommon in that patriarchist culture. Who was she? Was she really Sarah’s sister?
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