Scripture

And Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent, and she became his wife. He loved her deeply, and she was a special comfort to him after the death of his mother.

Observation

Abraham, now very old in years, sends his servant to the region he had come from to find a suitable wife for Isaac. The servant finds Rebekah, sister of Laban. He proceeds to tell Laban and his father Bethuel of his mission and his desire to take Rebekah home.

Laban and Bethuel agree to the request. The servant then brings gifts of clothes and jewellery for Rebekah and her family.

The servant then takes Rebekah to Isaac and they are married.

Application

To our ears the idea of sending a servant to a distant land to find a wife for your son seems somewhat unromantic. In those days, finding the right wife for your sons was an important task which affected the whole family, and who better than a trusted senior servant? Whatever our opinions, it worked for we are told that Isaac loved Rebekah deeply.

The servant clearly trusted the Lord for the fulfilment of his mission. It must have seemed like finding a needle in a haystack, but the servant prayed for success.

Whatever we are called to do, prayer and trust in the Lord can make the impossible mission achievable with far less effort than we might have thought.

Prayer

Father forgive me for the times when I rely on my own resources instead of trusting in you. Help me to remember to hand over every impossible mission to you and grant me success in those things you call me to. Amen.