The Devotional Journey
Reading 16
Yahweh provides a wife for Isaac
Read Genesis 24:1–67.
This is the historical account of how Yahweh chose a bride for Isaac, who was now an adult. Interestingly, unlike some other accounts in Genesis, there is no special word from Yahweh, no miracles and no supernatural signs. Instead, we see God deliberately working “behind the scenes”. This account shows us how God often works in the lives of believers, quietly guiding and answering prayers.
God led Abraham to ask his chief servant, Eliezer (see Genesis 15:2), to find a wife for Isaac from among Abraham’s own relatives, and not from among the Canaanites, who worshipped idols. Abraham wanted to find a bride for his son who believed in Yahweh, the true God. Abraham didn’t want Isaac to go himself because he knew that God wanted the family to remain in the land that God had given them. So Abraham sent his chief servant on this mission.
Following the custom of the time, Eliezer put his hand under Abraham’s thigh, to show he was a making a serious promise. If he did not do what Abraham asked, Abraham’s children could punish him for his unfaithfulness.
The journey north to where Abraham’s family lived was a two-week journey, about 800 kilometres (500 miles). Eliezer had to take enough provisions for the long trip. He needed ten camels and accompanying camel drivers to go with him.
When Eliezer arrived at the town where Abraham’s family lived, he prayed to Yahweh to show him a woman with a heart for others. Specifically, he asked God to lead him to a woman who was willing to go out of her way to provide water for a stranger and his ten thirsty camels. Knowing that the average camel could drink about 100 litres of water at one time, Eliezer was asking for an exceptional woman! But he knew the importance of finding a woman with the right heart and so he asked Yahweh for help.
Yahweh worked quietly on this occasion. This is how the life of faith often works. Through prayer, we bring our concerns and requests to God, we move in obedience to His word, and we look for the evidence of God’s working. This was exactly what Eliezer was doing. He was following the example of his master Abraham.
Over the years, by observing Abraham, Eliezer had learnt to have his own faith in Yahweh. What are the people in our lives learning about God from watching us?
When Rebekah showed up to draw water, we see that she is exceptionally generous. Not only did she provide water for Eliezer, she volunteered to get water for the camels. Imagine the number of trips to the well that she took to satisfy the animals. Rebekah demonstrated true kindness to strangers: first to Eliezer and then to his camels. This incident shows her character—her kindness and willingness to work hard.
At Rebekah’s home, Eliezer related to her family what God had been doing in Abraham’s life. He was not shy or afraid to talk about Yahweh and His goodness. We can learn from him how not to be shy but to share about the goodness of God with wisdom and tact.
Rebekah’s family recognised that Eliezer was sent by Yahweh and her brother, Laban, acted as the chief negotiator in the marriage contract. The family was willing to obey God’s will in this matter. And Rebekah also chose to be obedient to God’s plan.
Throughout this incident, we see God directing and working with the different people, yet allowing each of them to make their own decisions of what they would do. Ultimately, God’s sovereign will was accomplished while all the individuals involved made genuine choices.
This account is so helpful for Christians today.
We see faith in God.
We see praying and seeking God’s will.
And we see God quietly directing and guiding, so that eventually, Rebekah became Isaac’s wife.
This should encourage us as it shows how our typical daily life with God often unfolds. Even when there are no dramatic supernatural signs, God is working behind the scenes using our faith and prayers to direct us.
Let’s thank God for His provision even in our everyday life, in big and small decisions. He is ever watching and taking care of His children. He is involved in the lives of His people.
One more point to note is how Isaac took Rebekah as his wife and loved her. Isaac loved the one he married. He didn’t marry the one he loved. Love is also a decision.
Do we choose to love the people God has given to us like our parents, siblings, relatives, spouses, children, classmates, neighbours or coworkers? Do we struggle with loving some of them? Let’s pray, sharing with God our challenges and asking Him to help us love the ones in our lives.