Abraham's Servant Returns with a Bride for Isaac (2)

Isaac knew that Eliezer had gone to Haran to look for a wife for him. Undoubtedly it was also his prayer that the Lord would make it well. He could plead on the promise that the Lord had given to Abraham; he could plead on the stars in the sky. What a sweetness and comfort there is when we may draw nigh unto the Lord in this way. God's children cannot help themselves, but they must be helped by the Lord.

How different is the superficial religion of our days, which takes the promises in God's Word as if they are for everyone. They take the promises, but the promises are never given to them. Possessing a historical faith, they have heard about conversion from the writings of the old fathers or from the conversation of God's children. They repeat the words like parrots; they readily join the crowd of converted people. But they are so different in many ways. God's people often feel unconverted and poor, but these temporal believers never lack anything. They are rich, but they never have been poor sinners.

The Pharisee in Luke 18 could only thank the Lord that he was such a good man. We find many such people in our days. When they open their mouths, then one hears it immediately. It does not begin with their misery but with deliverance or gratitude; this is not the way the Lord works in His church. You hear words, but no substance.

How different it was with Isaac, who spoke to God and with God. Often he looked toward the north to see whether the servant were yet coming. With tension he awaited the outcome. Then far in the distance he observed a caravan. When it came closer, he recognized his father's camels. Soon he would know what had happened.

Also for Rebekah it was a crucial moment when she realized that she was coming close to Isaac's residence. Undoubtedly she had been looking on all sides to see the possessions of her father-in-law, and probably also to see whether her future husband was there. In the distance she saw a man, and she asked Eliezer who it was. Eliezer told her that it was Isaac himself. Although the servant said, “It is my master,” this did not apply to Abraham, but to Isaac. Rebekah alighted from the camel and put on her veil to cover her face, as is customary in the Orient. The bridegroom will see the bride only veiled.

God's Word shows us that Rebekah acted according to the customs of her days, according to that which was done by her ancestors. Today nearly all the customs of earlier times have been put away. We think also of all kinds of freedoms which are taken before marriage, which are forbidden by God's law. We should, with the help of the Lord, flee from these worldly ways of living, asking the Lord to guide us. Do not forget that many institutions and customs, even those of human origin, can be a wall of protection against much evil. He who breaks with all customs of earlier days does not act wisely.

The servant told everything which he had experienced on this journey, and how the Lord made his way prosperous. He described how he came to the well and the behavior of Rebekah and her family. It was a miracle for Isaac; he saw that he had received his bride from the Lord's hand. He brought Rebekah to the tent of his mother Sarah. Abraham and Isaac did not live in the same place, but it is clear that Isaac had taken the tent of his mother with him. There were reasons for so doing, because he expected that soon a bride would come for him. These two were united in holy matrimony, most likely by Abraham.

Marriage is an ordinance from creation. It is a blessing from heaven that the Lord has left for mankind, also after the fall. In the seventh commandment the Lord commands to honor marriage. In the providence of the Lord two young people meet each other, and the Lord gives love for one another. How necessary it is that the Lord go with them in the future. We cannot miss the blessing of the Lord. That is the reason that we come together in God's house to ask for His blessing. This is not a formality, but a necessity, especially when we think of the many attacks by the devil, who strives to take marriage out of our society and to allow people to live together like animals. Marriage is one of the last strongholds that still hinder the devil.

Scripture tells us that Isaac loved his wife. This is also in agreement with our marriage form, which tells us that every husband should love his wife as his own body and should not be bitter against her. In the beginning of marriage this bitterness is unlikely, but later it can become different. A man should honor his wife as the weaker vessel. Love in marriage is sweet, especially when we think of the many difficulties encountered in daily life. The wife should be subject to the husband in all things which are good. In daily life it should not be difficult to live together in such a way as is described in God's Word. It is a great privilege when we may discuss with each other the difficulties of life and family, but also when we may speak together about eternal matters. Natural love for each other was found in the heart of Isaac and Rebekah, but also spiritual love bound them together.

The first emphasis is on the love of Isaac for Rebekah, but the last part of our Bible study shows the other side: Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. Sarah's death had been a loss not only for Abraham, but also for Isaac, who had mourned the past three years. His marriage was the medicine. Rebekah filled the empty place.

We hope that our young people will become jealous of Isaac and Rebekah. They also had their problems in life, but with the help of the Lord they could overcome the difficulties. If we may experience the Lord's guidance in our marriage life, then we will be very happy.

Paul spoke about the spiritual meaning of marriage, which points to the unity between Christ and His church. This unity cannot be missed in our congregations, and it should be the prayer of God's people that, in this time of great decline, the Lord would give the same grace as in former days.

Questions

1. Gather the different thoughts about Abraham at the time that Eliezer returned. Was he yet alive, or had he died? Give proof from God's Word.

2. Mention some examples of saints who also felt the need to seek the Lord in prayer, as Isaac did.

3. What were the most important things that Isaac should pray for in the evening? Is this also a guide for our days? What is the best prayer?

4. Search the Bible, both in the Old and New Testament, to find different marriage customs and ceremonies.

5. Why did Isaac have the tent of his mother in his residence while Abraham was yet alive in Hebron?

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