The Book of Genesis
Part 41
Marriage Through the Lord
(Chapter 24)
The event of Isaac’s marriage to Rebekah may be considered from both the literal and the typical view points. In fact, it might be profitable to make, first, a literal examination of the circumstances which eventuated in the marriage, and then, in a future issue of Food for the Flock, to engage in a typical study.
Many of the points of interest recorded here occur in modern family life.
The Father’s Concern
Isaac was now of marriageable age, possibly he was between 35 to 38 years of age, and according to prevailing customs Abraham had an important duty to perform. Abraham, at this time, would be approximately 140 years old. Since he lived to be 175 (Chap. 25:7), he survived Isaac’s marriage by 35 years and watched Esau and Jacob grow into maturity.
There may have been something distasteful to Abraham in the comportment of the daughters of Canaan, but we have to look for a stronger reason than that for his insistence, “That thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites”. It is, even to this day, in certain parts of the Holy Land, customary not to allow a boy or girl to marry out of their kindred, lest in so doing, they become united to a family which has a blood feud with their own. This, definitely, was not what Abraham had in mind.
The first apparent reason in his action was that God’s call embraced the fact his seed was to remain a distinct people. They were not to marry one of another race lest they thus merge with the heathen. The call of God to Abraham was a call to complete separation. In second place, God’s covenant with Abraham had to do with the land in which he was then dwelling. Under no circumstance was there to be a return of his seed to Mesopotamia; they ever were to remain in the land God had promised to them. Consequently, a bride was to be found who, although of Abraham’s race, and thus born outside of Canaan, would be willing to live as a pilgrim and stranger in the Land of Promise.
While prevailing customs influenced Abraham’s concern for his son, there is no doubt loyalty to God and His revealed will were the controlling factors in this momentous transaction. In a previous study we saw that Abraham had news of a maiden of his kindred who, in all probability, met these very requirements.
The Necessary Preparation
It seems obvious that all who have read the Book of Genesis have sought an explanation of the oath between Abraham and his steward. There are, of course, those who believe that the oath was merely one of loyalty between master and servant. There are others who attach it to the rite of circumcision, believing that the placing of the hand beneath the thigh suggested that only one circumsized could perform such a holy covenant. There are still others, who, taking the word thigh as it means loin (Chap. 46:26. Ex. 1:5), believe there is a hint here that, as out of Abraham’s loins his Seed, the Lord Jesus, was to come, the oath in practice was to maintain His line holy and pure. There may be a measure of truth in all three, but, in all probability, it was the first of these suggestions that both parties to the oath meant when they entered into that understanding.
The words of James are suggested by this contract: “Let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay.” Fromthese words, we would gather that a true believer should be so loyal and truthful no oath is necessary in the affirmation of his words.
Dependence on God
The long journey made by Eliezer was made in the spirit of humble prayer and reliance upon the Lord. What a number of domestic tragedies would have been avoided had young Christians approached marriage in this attitude! The thanksgiving of Abraham’s steward is a classic, “And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the Lord. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, Who hath not left destitute my master of His mercy and His truth: I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.”
A Test of Character
The well of water was the property of the whole city and was used at set hours; therefore, the travel-stained Eliezer had to wait until the women came to draw water. This was one of the daily duties of those Oriental women, even as it is today in parts of Europe and Latin America.
There apparently was, over and above his desire for a drink, a fixed intention in the mind of Eliezer when he asked Rebekah, “Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water from thy pitcher.” His observant eye was quick to follow her response as an expression of her true character. There was no suspicion or fear in Rebekah’s attitude, only one of confidence and poise. There was a pleasant alacrity of mind and hand, and an admirable generosity of spirit. Moreover, Rebekah was not indolent. Some of the crowning features of her character were her respect for age and position, as this was seen in her attitude to Abraham’s steward, and in her kindness to a stranger.
To the man who had vowed to his master and had travelled so far to perform his vow, these were the natural qualifications required to make this young woman a suitable life-companion for Isaac. She was a virtuous woman of greater value than many rubies.
Overtures for Isaac
Although as a suitor Eliezer was acting by proxy, he did his part well, and won Rebekah for his master’s son. This remarkable steward not only displayed the riches of Abraham, but made his appeal to the young heart of the maiden and to her family in different ways:
Kinship: “I am Abraham’s servant.” Many years had passed since Abraham had parted from them to go into the land of Canaan, but he was still well remembered.
Greatness: “The Lord hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great.” He sought to impress upon their minds this human interest touch, his master was an important person.
Affluence: “The Lord… hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, … “ How this would assure the entire family! Should their sister leave them to go so far away, her every need would be well supplied.
Spirituality: This is very evident. First, he says, “The Lord hath blessed my master,” and then, in recounting his experience, he says, “The Lord before Whom I walk.”
All these different considerations impressed Rebekah’s family. Finally, Laban and Bethuel answered, “The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good. Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as the Lord hath spoken.”
It would seem that, at this point, Eliezer brought forth the real betrothal present, part for the bride and part for her family. Notwithstanding, it is contended by some that Eliezer, on meeting Rebekah at the well, was so convinced of guidance to God’s choice that he gave her an earring. More correctly this was a nose-rig, an ornament which hung from the left nostril and was the usual betrothal present in Arabia.
The Test of Love
It was one thing for Eliezer to know that he had impressed her family, but now he must discover how deeply he had impressed Rebekah. He, therefore, pressed for an immediate departure. What a test of the heart! To say farewell to all, to face a long and dangerous journey, to go among strangers, and to face the reality that she would never again see her relatives surely was a deep probing of the strength of newly stirred affections.
In spite of the fact a woman in the East had little choice in her marriage, in this case her preference was sought. She was asked, “Wilt thou go with this man?” Promptly, Rebekah gave her decision, “I will go.”
While love does acquire much, it must also sacrifice much. In fact, true love ever is more ready to yield than to claim ought for itself.
The Bridal Party
As the caravan neared the end of its long trek, “Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.” It is still the custom in the East for an inferior to dismount before a superior and to approach on foot. This revealed an attitude of respect in Rebekah.
Moreover, we read, “She took a vail and covered herself.” Rebekah thus indicated that she was the bride, for among her race, a bride was not seen unveiled by her husband until after marriage.
The veil used on such occasion enveloped the whole person and was larger than one usually worn.
The long journey was over, the wedding accomplished. Two hearts were now united; two lives blended together. “Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent,” that had been so empty, “and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.”