IMITATE THEIR FAITH

"YOU MUST TAKE A WIFE FOR MY SON"

Who was that old man at the well? He was a servant of Abraham, the brother of Rebekah's grandfather.  Thus, he was welcome in the home of Bethuel, Rebekah's father.  This servant's name was probably Eliezer.  The hosts offered him a meal, but he refused to eat until he had disclosed the reason for his visit.  (Genesis 24:31-33)  We may imagine him speaking excitedly, for he had just seen powerful evidence that his God, Jehovah, was blessing him on this vital mission.  How so?  

Imagine Eliezer telling his story as Rebekah's father, Bethuel, as well as her brother Laban, listened with rapt attention.  He told them that Jehovah had blessed Abraham greatly in Canaan and that Abraham and Sarah had a son, Isaac, who was to inherit everything.  Abraham had given this servant a commission of great importance:  He was to seek a wife for Isaac among Abraham's relatives in Haran. -Genesis 24:34-38. 

Abraham made Eliezer take an oath that he would not select a wife for Isaac from among the women of Canaan. Why? Because  the Canaanites neither respected nor worshipped Jehovah God.  Abraham knew that Jehovah intended in due time to punish those people for their wicked practices.  He also knew that his son had a vital role to play in fulfilling God's promises.  -Genesis 15:16; 17:19;24:2-4. 

Eliezer went on to tell his hosts that when he arrived at the well near Haran, he prayed to Jehovah God. He asked Jehovah, in effect, to choose the young woman for Isaac to marry?  How? Eliezer asked God to ensure that the girl he wanted Isaac to wed would come to the well. When asked for a drink, she should volunteer not only to giver Eliezer a drink but to water his camels as well.   (Genesis 24:12-14) And who had come along and done precisely that?  Rebekah!  Imagine how she might have felt if she had overheard the story Eliezer told her family members! 

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH -"YOU MUST TAKE A WIFE FOR MY SON

From The Watchtower magazine