Meeting Rebekah’s family

Genesis 24:29-67

After she watered the servant’s camels, he had given her two gold bracelets and an earring, and asked about staying at her families home. She immediately ran home to tell them he was coming and show them the jewelry, which amounted to about five and a half ounces of gold.

“And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well. And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well. And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.” (Genesis 24:29-31)

It seems to have been the gold that got Laban’s attention. Such an expensive tip indicated considerable wealth, and an interest that could potentially be exploited. Years later, when Jacob came to visit and work for him, Laban repeatedly tried to take financial advantage of Jacob. He was delighted to have the servant come and stay with them.

“And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him. And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.” (Genesis 24:32)

After the camels were unsaddled and cared for, the normal customs of hospitality were followed, letting the men wash their feet and relax while a meal was prepared. That the servant was accompanied by other camel handlers undoubtedly impressed Laban, although traveling alone was unusual. It was always possible to be thrown from one’s mount or have an accident, and require assistance. The servant refused to even partake of their food under any misapprehensions. He was not there on his own account and was not rich himself, and he wanted them to understand that.

“And he said, I am Abraham's servant. And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses. And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.

And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell: But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son. And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me. And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house: Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.” (Genesis 24:34-41)


Eighty or ninety years before, Laban’s grandfather, Terah had taken his uncle Abraham and his nephew Lot and moved to Haran, several hundred miles away. About sixty five years before, Abraham and Lot had moved to Canaan, about another three hundred miles away. Later Nahor’s family moved to the area around Haran as well. Communication over about three hundred miles was difficult when walking was the only way of transportation, depending mostly on chance travelers. It is probable that this was the first direct contact they had had, although they had periodically had news about them as we saw in Genesis 22:20.

The servant quickly brought them up to date on the basic family news, then explained the commission he’d been given, to find a wife for Isaac from the local area who might have a similar religious background. He then described his prayer for guidance.

“And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go: Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink; And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master's son.

And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee. And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.

And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands. And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.

And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left. ” (Genesis 24:42-49)

It was clear to the servant that Rebekah was the one God had chosen to be Isaac’s wife. In spite of that She and her family had the right to refuse to let her marry Isaac. If they refused, the servant would continue to look for a woman who was satisfactory. God doesn’t force people to do his will. Their refusal might well indicate that the servant had misunderstood God’s leading.

While I believe that God has a perfect mate for every person, both parties have to choose that one. Should they choose a different person, for whatever reason, they can still have a good and satisfying marriage if they want to. Even marriage to the right one will not ensure a successful marriage without considerable effort on both sides. Happily ever after is a fairytale that doesn’t happen automatically. It will not work unless both parties are convinced it is right.

“Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, 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.” (Genesis 24:50-51)

After hearing how the Lord had directed the servant to Rebekah, her family were convinced it was God’s will and yielded with no resistance. The decision was no longer whether Rebekah should marry Isaac, but whether they would obey God.

“And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth. And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things. And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master.” (Genesis 24:52-54)

The Servant bowed to the earth, humbly thanking God for blessing his efforts. The same attitude is seen in every example of worship in the Bible. Pride is the antithesis of worship.

The dinner then turned into an engagement party with the servant presenting Rebekah with new clothes and jewelry, He also presented valuable gifts to her mother and brother. Can’t you just imagine the party? The next morning he wanted to get everything ready to leave.

“And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go. And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.” (Genesis 24:55-56)

The family hadn’t had a lot of time to adjust to the idea of Rebekah leaving and wanted her to wait ten days before leaving so they could adjust. The servant, on the other hand felt the need to finish his job. While a delay would have given the family a chance to get to know Isaac if he’d been there, it would serve no purpose without him, but giving a chance for doubts to arise. They finally left the decision to Rebekah.

“And they said, We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth. And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go. And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men. And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them. And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.” (Genesis 24:57-61)

When Rebekah agreed that there was no point in a delay, her family blessed her, helped pack her belongings and those of her maids, and supplied water and food, sending them off. It would take a month or more to make the journey and Rebekah and her maids rode the camels, following the servant.

“And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country. And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.

And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a veil, and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.” (Genesis 24:62-66)

Isaac kept the herds on the south grazing area, and met them on his way to meet his father. When she saw him and knew who it was, Rebekah followed the custom of the day, still practiced today in that part of the world, of wrapping herself with a veil when meeting a guy she was interested in. Today, American women hide behind an veil of feminine mystique in a similar fashion. The physical veil is easier to penetrate.

“And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.” (Genesis 24:67)

People often don’t realize how long grief can last. Ten years after his mother’s death Isaac was still deeply affected by it. Rebekah’s coming changed his emotional focus and he was finally able to put it completely behind him. Contrary to popular belief, physical activity may distract without giving emotional relief, leaving the person to struggle with it privately.

There is no indication of a formal wedding, Isaac simply took her to his mothers tent, and they were considered man and wife. Many groups today would say they were living in sin since there was no approved wedding. Though that has been taught by both Catholic and Protestant groups for at least five hundred years, it is a perversion of the scriptures, and contributes to many of the modern marriage and family problems.