Isaac Takes Rebekah to be His Wife

For your reference, turn to Genesis 24.

Abraham was old, 'well-stricken in age' and blessed by the Lord (Genesis 24:1). The time came when he wanted a wife for his son, Isaac. Abraham did not want a wife for Isaac from the Canaanites where he lived, but from within his family from where they lived; therefore, he made an oath with his servant by having him place his hand under Abraham's thigh and swearing "...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:
But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac" (Genesis 24:3,4).

Isaac lived in the south country (Genesis 24:62). Thus, the servant inquired of Abraham what to do if there was not a woman willing to travel to where Isaac lived. The servant asked Abraham, must I take Isaac to the "...land from whence thou camest" (Genesis 24:5)? Abraham warned his servant not to take Isaac there again; however, he said, if there was no woman willing to follow him to Isaac's land, he would be clear of the oath (Genesis 24:6,8).

The servant took ten of Abraham's camels and left for Mesopotamia where Abraham's brother, Nahor, lived (Genesis 24:10). He arrived at a well outside the city during the time that women draw water (Genesis 24:11).

"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. Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
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 has appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master" (Genesis 24:12-14).

Before the servant finished communing with the Lord, a woman named Rebekah walked up with a pitcher on her shoulder (Genesis 24:15). The events that followed depicted the servant's answered prayer:

"And the damsel...went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up" (Genesis 24:16).

"And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher" (Genesis 24:17).

"And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink" (Genesis 24:18).

"And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking (Genesis 24:19).

"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" (Genesis 24:20).

"And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the Lord made his journey prosperous or not" (Genesis 24:21).

"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" (Genesis 24:22)[.]

It turned out that Rebekah was the daughter of Bethuel, Abraham's nephew (Genesis 24:24). The servant asked Rebekah "...[I]s there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in" (Genesis 24:23)? Rebekah replied that they have enough straw, provisions and lodging for them (Genesis 24:25). "And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the Lord" (Genesis 24:26). The Lord had led him to his master's brethren (Genesis 24:27).

Rebekah went to her mother's house to tell of the events (Genesis 24:28). Laban, Rebekah's brother, greeted the man; prepared the home for him; prepared room for the camels and provided water for the man and his traveling companions to wash their feet (Genesis 24:31,32).

There was also food prepared for the man "...but he said, I will not eat until I have told mine errand..." (Genesis 24:33). The man continued in telling that he was Abraham's servant and what had occurred from the time of making an oath with Abraham until then. The servant did not go without worshipping and blessing the Lord. He let them know of God's hand in the matter. He told of his answered prayer when Rebekah showed up at the well to give him and his camel's water. God was with the servant the whole time. God's angel was also involved (Genesis 24:34-48; 24:7,40).

Bethuel and Laban could see the work of the Lord in the situation and said, "Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife as the Lord hath spoken" (Genesis 24:51). Upon hearing these words, the servant '[bowed] himself to the earth' in worship to the Lord (Genesis 24:52).

"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 her mother precious things" (Genesis 24:53).

The servant and the men with him ate and drank all night. When morning came, the servant sought to be sent off to his master (Genesis 23:54). Laban and his mother wanted Rebekah to stay with them for at least ten days and then she could go (Genesis 24:55). The servant did not want them to hinder him. He wanted to make haste with the Lord prospering his way and wanted to be sent away to his master (Genesis 24:56).

Rebekah's mother and Laban turned to Rebekah to hear from her whether she would go with the servant or not (Genesis 24:57). They asked her "...Wilt thou go with this man?..." Rebekah answered, "...I will go" (Genesis 24:58).

"And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men" (Genesis 24:59).

"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" (Genesis 24:60).

The travelers headed for the south country where Isaac lived. "And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country" (Genesis 24:62).

"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 24:63).

Rebekah dismounted the camel when she saw Isaac. She asked the servant, "...What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us?..." The servant answered, "...It is my master...". Rebekah covered herself with a veil (Genesis 24:64,65).

The servant told Isaac everything that had taken place (Genesis 24:66). "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" (Genesis 24:67).