Abraham sent his trusted servant, Eliezar, to the country where he was born, to find a wife for his son, Isaac. With ten camels loaded with his master’s goods, the servant started out across the desert for Mesopotamia.
Finally he arrived at the city one evening and stopped beside a well. The daughters of the men of the city came out to draw water. Here the faithful servant knelt down and prayed asking God to direct him to the right maiden who would become Isaac’s bride.
“Let it come to pass,” he prayed, “that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also; let the same be that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac.”
Before he had done praying, Rebekah came down to the well. She was a very beautiful young lady, and the servant asked her for a drink. Gladly and hastily she let down her pitcher for him to drink, and then she said, “I will draw water for thy camels also.”
Wonderingly, the servant took some of the beautiful and costly jewels he had brought and put them upon the hands and head of Rebekah, who also stood in wonder and surprise, not knowing what this was all for. The servant asked her who she was and she told him she was “the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor,” Abraham’s brother. Then the servant bowed and worshipped God for he believed He had answered his prayer.
Rebekah ran into the house and told these things to her family. They invited the servant to come in and dine, but he would not go eat until he had told them of his mission. After telling them many wonderful things about his master, Abraham, and his son Isaac, they asked Rebekah, “Wilt thou go with this man?” She said, “I will go.”
In the morning they blessed Rebekah and saying good-bye, they sent her away in the care of the servant. She rode upon the camels all across the desert. No doubt the servant would tell her much more about Abraham and his wealth, and of what a wonderful son Isaac was.
At last they drew near the end of the journey. Isaac had gone out to meditate in the field at eventide, and saw the camels coming. Would they bare his long hoped-for bride?
Rebekah had asked the servant who was this man coming to meet them, and he told her. When she saw Isaac, she lighted off her camel, took a veil and covered herself. The long desert journey was ended. The bride was home at last in the presence of Isaac who loved her.
God the Father purposed in that past eternity, that His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus, should have a bride —the Church for whom He died. “Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for it.” Ephesians 5:2525Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25). That bride is composed of all those who in answer to the question put to Rebekah, “Wilt thou go with this Man?” answer, “I will go.” Dear reader, “Wilt thou go with this Man?”
Soon the long weary journey across this desert world will be over, and we shall be at rest forever in the arms of our heavenly Bridegroom.
Yet onward we are speeding,
Though often let and tried;
The Holy Ghost is leading
Home to the Lamb His bride.
ML-12/17/1978