A Father Shows Loving-Kindness

Genesis 24:28-67 relates the rest of the story of Abraham's servant, mentioned in the preceding article. After meeting Rebekah, he was invited into the home of her father, Bethuel.( Verses 28-32) There the servant recounted in detail his search for a wife for Abraham's son. (Verses 33-47) He stressed that he viewed the success he thus far had met with as a sign from Jehovah, " who had led me in the true way to take the daughter of the brother of my master for his son." (Verse 48) The servant no doubt hoped that his heartfelt recounting of the incident would convince Bethuel and his son Laban that Jehovah was behind this mission. Finally, the servant said: " If you are actually exercising loving-kindness and trustworthiness toward my master, tell me; but if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right or to the left." -Verse 49.

Jehovah had already shown loving-kindness to Abraham. (Genesis 24:12, 14, 27) Would Bethuel be willing to do the same by allowing Rebekah to go with Abraham's servant? Would divine loving-kindness be complemented with human kindness? Or would the servant's long journey have been in vain? It must have been very comforting to Abraham's servant to hear Laban and Bethuel say: "From Jehovah this thing has issued." (Verse 50) They recognized Jehovah's hand in matters and unhesitatingly accepted his decision. Next, Bethuel expressed his loving-kindness by adding: "Here is Rebekah before you. Take her and go, and let her become a wife to the son of your master, just as Jehovah has spoken." (Versed 51) Rebekah willingly accompanied Abraham's servant and she soon became Isaac's beloved wife. -Verses 49, 52-58, 67.

Next time: Loving-Kindness Shown By A Son

Watchtower, 2002