“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” (Genesis 24:63).
At first glance, this might seem a strange text verse; but it is actually the climax of a beautiful drama that unfolds in this chapter. This story begins as Abraham calls his eldest servant (no doubt the steward, Eliezer, mentioned in Genesis 15:2) to give him a command: find a wife for Isaac. The servant saddled up camels and departed towards Mesopotamia, Abraham’s ancestral home.
In verses 12–14 we find Eliezer praying for God’s direction to the appropriate lady. “And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out. . . .” He followed her to her father’s house and related the purpose of his visit (v.15). Verses 58 and 59 confirm God’s blessing on this campaign: “And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.”
The last act of this drama is their coming home. What immense anticipation must have been in the hearts of Isaac and Rebekah as those camels came over the horizon! By God’s providential direction, they knew the relationship was His will. “And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her” (vv.66,67).
More than a romantic story, these events portray the evangelistic task of every believer. Like Eliezer, we have been given a command by the Father to find a bride for His Son. As we seek to obey the Great Commission, we must pray for God’s direction to the appropriate individuals who are prepared for a relationship with Christ. Lastly, we must point them to the wonderful groom and rejoice to see them fall in love with Him. DW
