Before you say "I do"
An unbiased exposition on Genesis 24
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He prayed for a wife, not a girl. He didn’t pray a vain prayer like the Pharisee do. It was fervent and earnest as prayers ought to. She should be one who can draw water from the well – a helpmeet, as Jacob too had met Leah, One who can stoop. She should be able to bear the seed of promise as Elizabeth knew of Mary and confessed “…the mother of my Lord should come to me” (Luke 1:43). He prayed that one who was able to bear his lord unborn, Jacob who is to be Israel; a patriarch in whom the twelve tribes would emerge should come to him. The destiny of the whole of the nation of Israel was in the balance, so he prayed fervently as Christ would do at Gethsemane and God heard him in that he made a woman and brought her unto the man (Genesis 2:22).
Rebekah was made for Isaac. Rebekah not knowing she was an answer to prayers had quickly fit in the scene as a virtuous woman. She was birth forth by prayer for who can find a virtuous woman?
I draw your attention to this friend, though the servant had prayed, he did not close his eyes. They were wide open, not for sensual use as we were told Rebekah was fair to look upon but to behold the wonders of God. For whatever the Lord does it is marvellous in our sight. I do say as an English Reverend told his son “when you go to find her, watch and pray”. This servant of Abraham had cast off all distractions and has passed the stage of ‘pray and go to bed’. He looked as he sees his own prayer been answered before his eyes. Some pray and close their eyes yet they say I find a wife. When we pray let us watch to see what God is doing and know if need be we intensify our prayers or close in praise. It was not of doubt or lack of trust to pray and watch but we do well to know whether the Lord had made our journey prosperous or not.
“… whose daughter art thou”? Now it was time to know this fair damsel. It was, as I see, safe now to meet the damsel and give gifts. He had been with God. He withholds not what love would do – to give. It was safe now for he had put God before emotion or any attachment. It was time to go get her. He need not delay any further. He had seen her, he had tried her and it was time to take her home. Some would say “I will marry you” and then go to enquire of God “is she the one?” They put the cart before the horse. Not this servant of Abraham, he would not move men before moving the heart of God. I make it plain that this man would not keep a damsel but make haste to meet her father. He knew there was no point tempting the devil and working that which is unlawful as some do with their bodies.
He sealed the testimony with worship (vs. 27). He would not forget in hurry like a heart merry with wine or like the nine lepers what God had done for him. The excitement of a beautiful damsel would not fade this to the background. We do not learn yet who this servant was, whether he was Eliezer (Genesis 15:2) or some other. But he introduced himself as a servant of Abraham. It is this Abraham whose name God had made great (Genesis 12:2).
‘Abraham’, a singular name need not be called Tehrah Abraham, or Dr Abraham or Rev. Dr Abraham (JP). He needs not all that. All you need to call was ‘Abraham’ and we know who you spoke of. God has made his name great, and this servant it sufficed him to say ‘I am Abraham’s servant’. Moreover, he was there for none other than Abraham’s. How many young men want to make a name before they step out? They want a title and great fortunes. Some though not having any of these lay false claims to it and think it is of any good to impress the damsel or her family like this. God loves the humble and lets us like Abraham’s servant and the Apostle Paul say … I am a servant of Jesus. Marriage is honourable and he that finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord. Marriage is beyond pleasure-seeking. It is two coming together to fulfil God’s mandate on earth. They join in spirit to achieve a common assignment. It is done with the consent of both families. In verse 52 and 53 we observe this servant worship the Lord again. His is a grateful heart. And also we note that he did all necessary appreciation and tender gifts and payment to receive the parents blessing (vs. 60). Rebekah when she was called to seek her consent she flinches not but said “I will go”. What a prompt reply and accurate discernment: she was prepared for God’s best? She is a woman; the choice was not to be made for her. She perhaps had prayed and known God’s mind on the matter and her life. She was prepared for marriage and when the time came she had her answers. Rebekah indeed was a virtuous woman not just beautiful. We know how well it is spoken of her in Proverbs 31. She did something that would draw the attention of every diligent reader. In verse 64 it said that when she saw Isaac she lighted off her Camel. Rebekah was not a woman who would meet a man and remained on her camel. What woman wants peace at home and yet seeks to captain the ship? Are there not some who nurse the intention that someday they will ascend above the heights of the cloud, and within the thought burns quietly: “… I will be like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:12-15). Rebekah would rather put off her educational qualification, her social status, her ‘spirituality, and whatever she had attained and submit to the man. When it is marriage, she knows well that the man, whoever is the Lord has given her is her lord. She would not join the daughters of the land to agitate for gender equality in her family. How this falsehood had crept into the church and among God’s people – that some seek to make equal with the woman what God has made the head? Next, we notice she covers her face with a veil (vs. 65) when she heard it was her lord. Now let’s draw to an end this exposition. The Bible had charge husband to love and wife to submit (Ephesians 5:22, 23).
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