In this part of the Bible we find the acts and experiences of Abraham's servant in Mesopotamia. He had not only taken several servants with him (verses 10 & 32), but also some presents from his master, which he thought might be necessary for his task of seeking a wife for Isaac. After a long journey he arrived in Haran, where the descendants of Nahor lived. Many suppose that Paradise, where our first parents lived to the honor of God, was originally here; but in the time of this history Haran was full of idolatry.

Abraham had been called out of Haran, and later Jacob fled to this place to escape the wrath of Esau. Nothing special is mentioned about the journey to Haran, but the servant must have experienced the protecting hand of the Lord. Abraham had assured him that the care of the Lord would be over him and that He would send His angel before him. This makes it clear that Abraham had labored over this journey and had received the promise of the Lord that He would provide. We also travel much in our days, and we do not know what will happen on those trips. How necessary it is that the Lord go with us and bring us safely to our destination. Do we realize enough that we are also traveling to eternity and must be prepared for that journey? What will be the end of our journey through this life? Well, or woe?

In the Orient we often find a well close to the city gates. Here, toward evening, the women and the girls came to draw water according to the needs of the families. Very likely it was toward evening that Eliezer arrived there. He gave the camels some rest, but it was also the best place to meet Isaac's future bride. In this well-known history it is evident that the Lord was with the servant to fulfil His counsel, also in this matter.

In our imagination we see the well. Men and beasts had been drinking from it for centuries, and yet it did not diminish. Such a well is a portrayal of Christ, who by His sacrifice has become a Fountain of living water, as the spouse says in the Song of Solomon (4:15). Thus the realm of nature is an instruction for us when the Lord opens our eyes for it. We do not know whether Eliezer had been thinking of this, but the question for us is whether we have become thirsty for this living water.

Not only the camels kneeled, but Eliezer also bowed his knees to ask the Lord to crown his journey with His favor, that he might here meet the bride for Isaac. He also asked for a sign, which was according to the custom of those days, that in this way the Lord would show His favor. Still, this sign has a special character, for thereby he made his intentions known to the Lord. In this way he asked the Lord for His approval, praying that it might lead to a wife for Isaac in God's favor.

In his request to the Lord that the damsel would not only give a little water to him, but also to the camels, the servant asked for special qualities in the woman. He desired her to be friendly, industrious, kind, and cordial; she would show these quali­ties when she gave him water for himself, but then also gave water to the camels without his request. The girl who did not possess these quali­ties could not be considered a woman who would make Isaac happy. He did not look in the first place for beauty, but for a woman with a good character, and, above all, with the fear of the Lord in her heart. Eliezer knew that his discernment could be defective, and therefore he asked the Lord for His guidance in this important matter.

God's Word teaches us to acknowledge Him in all our ways, but it is to be feared that many young people and their parents are not as careful in the choice of a partner as was this servant. It is very well possible that many girls would not pass Eliezer's test. It is very well possible that it is the consequence of the modern upbringing of our days, whereby the emphasis on the mentioned attributes is missing. Of course, the circumstances of our days are totally different from those in the time of Abraham, but in essence the same characteristics are needed for a good marriage. It is indispensable that our young people realize that to be a good wife and mother is a serious task which requires special characteristics.

We live in a self-centred world, but we have to learn that we may not live for ourselves. We have to give ourselves with devotion to seek the welfare of our family. To be a truly Christian woman and mother has to come up from the root of faith. We cannot develop it ourselves, but we may ask the Lord to give this. In the choice of a wife or a husband it is important to keep the words of Solomon in mind, "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain" (Proverbs 31:30a).

Before Eliezer had finished his prayer, Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Abraham's brother Nahor, came to the well. How great is the goodness of the Lord! He hears before they call (Isaiah 65:24). We may not explain these words to mean that we always immediately receive what we have asked of the Lord. We have to pray as the Lord Jesus taught His disciples, for then we will add to our prayer, "Thy will be done."

Of Rebekah is written that she was very fair, and she was a virgin. Her beauty is not forgotten, but it is not the most important thing. Beauty is so much promoted in our days, but we are to be reminded of our first parents in Paradise, who were fair before the Lord. By sin so much has been destroyed, also in this respect. As mentioned, Rebekah had lived in obedience to God's law, for she was a virgin. This is important to mention also in our days, since in our society the morals are often so different. Sin is not sin anymore, especially when we speak of sexual activity. May the Lord give us to flee from and hate sin, young people.

At the servant's request Rebekah gave him water, and she took care of the camels also, which certainly was not light work. When Eliezer saw how willingly she did this, he became more and more convinced that she would be a good wife for Isaac.

2In the marriage form it is written that the Lord brings together husband and wife as with His own hand. How clear this is in the history on which we are meditating. Rebekah was most likely the first woman who came to the well, and she was chosen by the Lord. Eliezer was overwhelmed by the Lord's dealings. In his heart it must have been, "Lord, how good Thou art."

When she had done her voluntary work, Eliezer offered her a present: a golden earring, or jewel for the forehead, and two golden bracelets. It was not yet a bridal gift, but it was a token of appreciation for what she had done. If Eliezer had not been sure that she was to be Isaac's future wife, then most likely the gift would not have been of such great value. He became more certain when he learned the young woman's ancestry. After he heard she was of the family of Abraham, and after she added that he and the camels could stay with her family, Eliezer bowed his knees again to acknowledge the Lord (verses 26-27).

Rebekah also had an urgent need to pour out her heart, but not in the way of Eliezer, who ended in the Lord. She ran to her mother to tell what had happened to her. This created quite a stir in her home, and the servant of Abraham was received with open arms by Laban, the son of Bethuel, who called him the blessed of the Lord. It seems that Laban was quite surprised by the splendid gift his sister had received, and therefore he thought it worthwhile to take this man as a guest under his roof.

Laban comes on the foreground in this history because he is the brother of Rebekah. Either Bethuel was not such a strong person, or for some other reason is not mentioned. It is possible that the hospitality of Laban was not so upright as it sounds. If he had to do according to Luke 14:12-14, then he probably would not have done it. To prepare a meal and receive the poor, maimed, crippled, and blind is generally not so profitable. Laban has had many followers through all ages. Many have no excuse, because they know the words of the Master, but still they do not want to practice this. They think more of themselves than of their neighbor.

Laban's words, "Blessed of the Lord," were not a vain, flattering title, because he was convinced of the truth of his word. To him, the wealth of Abraham was proof that Abraham was blessed by the Lord. Still, his conclusion was premature and superficial. God's Word teaches us that wealth is not always a sign of God's favor; it can also be a stumbling block for us, but Laban did not think so!

In this portion of God's Word there are many spiritual lessons which we have skipped. Yet we may mention something of them. We have seen that Eliezer tried to win the heart of Rebekah. This points to Christ and His church. When the Holy Spirit finds a sinner in the land without God, then He gives knowledge of self, of God, and, later on, of Christ. A sorrow after God is worked, which gives a spiritual sorrow over the sin which is committed against a good-doing God, who is also holy and righteous. The sinner begins to see that with all his religion he is without God, without Christ, and without hope in the world. He is standing outside! As Eliezer told Rebekah about Abraham and his son, Isaac, so the Holy Ghost teaches the sinner, who has come to an end with himself, about God and His Son.

True happiness lies in the hands of the heavenly Bridegroom. As Eliezer brought beautiful presents for Rebekah, so the Spirit shows the fullness which is in Christ. How inexpressibly great are Christ's benefits for His church: wisdom, justification, and sanctification in this time; and everlasting life in eternity. May the Lord instruct us by His Word and Spirit to know Him and His benefits.

Questions:⤒🔗

1. Try to trace Eliezer's possible route to Haran.
2. Eliezer's prayer was answered right away by the Lord. Do you know of more examples like this? Are there also opposite examples, in which the Lord did not answer?
3. What is the weight of a shekel in our system? Mention some other biblical weights and measures.
4. Try to find a few examples of people who showed hospital­ity. What does God's Word say about hospitality?
5. What does the Bible say of wealth in general? It can be a blessing, but it can also be a curse. Give biblical evidence of both. What is your personal opinion about this subject?