Isaac & Rebekah Married

Abraham seeks a wife for his son Isaac among his own people. He sends his servant, Eliezer, to find a wife in Haran. When Eliezer arrives in this land he prays for guidance and a young woman offers to water his camels. He takes this as a sign of God's leading and goes to her father's home.

After recounting the story of his master's prosperity, of the birth of Isaac, of his own oath to seek a wife for Isaac among his master's relatives, and of the providential way in which he had been led to Rebekah's home, Eliezer, with solemn earnestness, pressed for an immediate decision. In harmony with normal Oriental custom, Laban and Bethuel must approve of Rebekah's proposed marriage to Isaac. Since the Lord had already decided the matter, however, they had no alternative but to concur. So far as they were concerned, Jehovah's decision was not subject to further debate on their part, and Eliezer was free to take Rebekah to Canaan.

Eliezer was impatient to complete his mission by reporting its success to Abraham, lest delay should become a cause of concern to him. As might be expected, Rebekah's relatives were disturbed at the thought of so sudden a separation from her. Their concern was for adequate time to prepare for her departure, and also that they might bid her an appropriate farewell. According to Oriental custom this would no doubt include several days of feasting and merrymaking. Eliezer's insistence and their consideration for Rebekah led Laban to put the decision up to her.

Would she be willing to forgo the pleasure of a few more days in her girlhood home, in order to please her husband—to—be, and his father? Her ready and willing response reflects maturity of judgment, an unselfish spirit, and recognition that henceforth her first duty was to be toward her husband. Rebekah's family invoked upon her the blessings promised by God to Abraham.

On the return trip while Isaac is meditating in the field, the camel caravan returns and the couple meets. Rebekah was eager with anticipation to greet Isaac, but the custom of her country did not allow the groom to see his bride's face until the marriage had been concluded (see ch. 29:23, 25). Her modesty, furthermore, was revealed in yet another way. To meet her future husband for the first time she chose to descend from the camel to the ground. Although nothing is said of Abraham, he doubtless received his daughter—in—law in the most gracious manner and with many benedictions. The account of Eliezer's finding of Rebekah must have afforded him much satisfaction. It is easy to think of this occasion being solemnized by Abraham in a thanksgiving service.

Perhaps that same day, or the day following, Isaac led Rebekah into his mother's tent. Empty for three years, it now became quarters for Rebekah and her maids. This implies that Rebekah took the important place of Sarah in the household of Abraham. Isaac's marriage ceremony itself probably consisted of a simple declaration, before witnesses, of his intention to take Rebekah as his wife (cf. Ruth 4:10—13). The Bible says Isaac "loved her." Isaac had every reason to love Rebekah. She was not only most beautiful (v. 16) but of a kind, cheerful, and considerate disposition. She seems to have been, generally speaking, a paragon of feminine virtue (see Prov. 31:10—31 1 Peter 3:1—6 Titus 2:3—5). Isaac's careful training and submissive spirit have already been noted (see on ch. 22:9). Their home must have been a very happy one.