Genesis 24

Genesis 24 is a pivotal chapter where Abraham sends his servant on a mission to find a wife for his son Isaac. This event is deeply significant, showing God’s providence in ensuring the continuation of Abraham's lineage through Isaac. The chapter highlights themes of faith, obedience, and divine guidance as the servant embarks on the journey and finds Rebekah, who will become Isaac’s wife.

Genesis 24:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.
2 So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh,
3 and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell."

At this stage in Abraham’s life, he was advanced in age and had experienced God’s abundant blessings. Recognizing that Isaac’s future was crucial for the fulfillment of God’s promise, Abraham calls his trusted servant, Eliezer, to carry out an important task. The ritual of placing the hand under the thigh was a solemn oath in ancient times, symbolizing a deep commitment. Abraham instructs his servant to find a wife for Isaac, but not from the Canaanites, as their practices did not align with the covenant God had established with Abraham. This shows Abraham’s concern for keeping his descendants faithful to God’s ways.

Genesis 24:4-6 (NKJV)
4 but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”
5 And the servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?”
6 But Abraham said to him, “Beware that you do not take my son back there.”

Abraham insists that the servant go to his homeland to find a wife for Isaac, as the people there would share similar values and beliefs. The servant expresses concern about the potential difficulty of convincing a woman to leave her home and move to a foreign land. In response, Abraham is adamant that Isaac must not return to the land of his forefathers. Abraham is fully aware of God’s promise to give his descendants the land of Canaan, and returning Isaac to their homeland would signal a lack of trust in God's plan for the future.

Genesis 24:7-9 (NKJV)
7 The Lord God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, ‘To your descendants I give this land,’ He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.
8 And if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be released from this oath; only do not take my son back there.”
9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

Abraham reassures his servant that God, who had called him out of his homeland and promised the land of Canaan to his descendants, would guide the process. He believes that God will send His angel to ensure success in finding a wife for Isaac. However, Abraham also provides a contingency plan: if the woman refuses to come, the servant is released from the oath, but under no circumstances should Isaac leave the Promised Land. This shows Abraham’s unwavering faith in God’s promises and his desire to act in accordance with divine will.

Genesis 24:10-14 (NKJV)
10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, for all his master’s goods were in his hand. And he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.
11 And he made his camels kneel down outside the city by a well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water.
12 Then he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
13 Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
14 Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”

The servant embarks on the journey with significant wealth, a reflection of Abraham’s blessings. Upon reaching the city of Nahor, the servant positions himself by a well, knowing that it was a gathering place for women in the evening. Here, the servant prays for divine guidance, asking God to show kindness to Abraham by helping him identify the right woman for Isaac. He devises a specific test: the woman who not only offers him water but also volunteers to water his camels will be the chosen one. This act of seeking God’s guidance in such a detailed way reflects both the servant’s faith and his understanding that God is actively involved in the process.

Genesis 24:15-16 (NKJV)
15 And it happened, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her pitcher on her shoulder.
16 Now the young woman was very beautiful to behold, a virgin; no man had known her. And she went down to the well, filled her pitcher, and came up.

Before the servant even finishes praying, God begins to answer his request. Rebekah, who is part of Abraham's extended family, appears at the well. The detailed description of Rebekah emphasizes her suitability: she is beautiful, pure, and of the right lineage. This swift answer to the servant’s prayer highlights God’s providence and favor, affirming that this mission is under divine guidance. Rebekah’s appearance sets in motion the unfolding of God’s plan for Isaac’s marriage.

Genesis 24:17-21 (NKJV)
17 And the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me drink a little water from your pitcher.”
18 So she said, “Drink, my lord.” Then she quickly let her pitcher down to her hand, and gave him a drink.
19 And when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.”
20 Then she quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough, ran back to the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
21 And the man, wondering at her, remained silent so as to know whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.

Rebekah’s actions align perfectly with the servant’s prayer. She not only gives him water but also eagerly offers to water his camels. This was no small task, as camels can drink a large amount of water. Her willingness to serve and her generosity reveal her character as kind and hardworking. The servant watches in awe, recognizing that this could be the sign he was waiting for, yet he remains silent, waiting for confirmation that God had truly made his journey successful.

Genesis 24:22-24 (NKJV)
22 So it was, when the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a golden nose ring weighing half a shekel, and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels of gold,
23 and said, “Whose daughter are you? Tell me, please, is there room in your father’s house for us to lodge?”
24 So she said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, Milcah’s son, whom she bore to Nahor.”

After seeing Rebekah’s response, the servant offers her valuable gifts as a token of appreciation and as part of the marriage negotiation process. He then asks about her family and whether they could accommodate him. Rebekah’s reply reveals that she is indeed from Abraham’s family, which was a critical confirmation for the servant. Her connection to Nahor, Abraham’s brother, indicates that she is the right choice for Isaac. The gifts also show the servant’s recognition of her as a suitable match, in both lineage and character.

Genesis 24:25-27 (NKJV)
25 Moreover she said to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge.”
26 Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the Lord.
27 And he said, “Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.”

Rebekah not only confirms her lineage but also offers hospitality, welcoming the servant and his camels into her family’s home. Upon hearing this, the servant immediately worships the Lord, recognizing that God’s hand had guided every step of the journey. His prayer of thanksgiving acknowledges that God’s mercy and faithfulness toward Abraham were evident, as he had been led to the very household Abraham desired for Isaac’s wife. This moment emphasizes the servant’s deep faith and the unfolding of God’s promises.

Genesis 24:28-30 (NKJV)
28 So the young woman ran and told her mother’s household these things.
29 Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban, and Laban ran out to the man by the well.
30 So it came to pass, when he saw the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and when he heard the words of his sister Rebekah, saying, “Thus the man spoke to me,” that he went to the man. And there he stood by the camels at the well.

Rebekah rushes to inform her family about the extraordinary encounter. Her brother Laban takes notice of the lavish gifts given to Rebekah, which signals the seriousness of the servant’s intentions. Laban’s reaction, though initially focused on the material wealth, sets the stage for a formal meeting between the servant and the family. This part of the narrative introduces Laban, who will later play a significant role in the lives of Isaac’s descendants, particularly Jacob. Laban’s actions also demonstrate his position in the family as a decision-maker.

Genesis 24:31-33 (NKJV)
31 And he said, “Come in, O blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels.”
32 Then the man came to the house. And he unloaded the camels, and provided straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.
33 Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told about my errand.” And he said, “Speak on.”

Laban invites the servant into their home, recognizing him as one blessed by the Lord. Hospitality is shown as they care for the servant’s camels and provide water for washing. Before eating, the servant insists on delivering the message he was sent to share. This shows his dedication to his task and his desire to fulfill his master Abraham’s request before indulging in personal comfort. The urgency and importance of his mission are clear as he prepares to reveal the purpose of his journey.

Genesis 24:34-38 (NKJV)
34 So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant.
35 The Lord has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.
36 And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and to him he has given all that he has.
37 Now my master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell;
38 but you shall go to my father’s house and to my family, and take a wife for my son.’”

The servant begins by introducing himself and explaining the great blessings God had bestowed on Abraham, highlighting his wealth and the birth of Isaac, the promised son. He recounts the specific instructions Abraham gave regarding Isaac’s future wife: that she should not come from the Canaanites but from Abraham’s own family. The servant’s detailed account reinforces his loyalty to Abraham and his trust in God’s plan. He emphasizes how God has faithfully led him this far in fulfilling his master’s wishes.

Genesis 24:39-41 (NKJV)
39 And I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’
40 But he said to me, ‘The Lord, before whom I walk, will send His angel with you and prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son from my family and from my father’s house.
41 You will be clear from this oath when you arrive among my family; for if they will not give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’”

The servant shares his initial concern about whether the woman would be willing to leave her home and follow him. Abraham’s response is one of unwavering faith, affirming that God would guide the process. Abraham believed that God’s angel would ensure the success of the mission, but he also provided a way out for the servant if the woman or her family refused. This recounting reveals the deep trust Abraham placed in God’s promises and reassures the family that the journey was divinely orchestrated.

Genesis 24:42-44 (NKJV)
42 “And this day I came to the well and said, ‘O Lord God of my master Abraham, if You will now prosper the way in which I go,
43 behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass that when the virgin comes out to draw water, and I say to her, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,”
44 and she says to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,”—let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.’”

The servant recounts his prayer to the Lord at the well, explaining how he sought a specific sign from God. His request was that the right woman would not only offer him water but also show kindness by offering to water his camels. By sharing this detail, the servant highlights the divine nature of the encounter with Rebekah. It demonstrates that God had been actively involved in leading him to the exact person appointed for Isaac, affirming that the servant’s mission was aligned with God’s will.

Genesis 24:45-47 (NKJV)
45 “But before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah, coming out with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down to the well and drew water. And I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’
46 And she made haste and let her pitcher down from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels a drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels a drink also.
47 Then I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the nose ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists.”

The servant recounts how, even before he had finished his prayer, Rebekah arrived at the well. She perfectly fulfilled the sign he had asked for, offering him water and then going above and beyond by offering to water his camels as well. This confirmed to the servant that she was the chosen one. He then asked about her family, and upon learning she was from Abraham’s kin, he gave her the gifts, sealing the beginning of the marriage arrangement. The speed and accuracy of the events reaffirm the hand of God at work.

Genesis 24:48-51 (NKJV)
48 And I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the way of truth to take the daughter of my master’s brother for his son.
49 Now if you 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.”
50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing comes from the Lord; we cannot speak to you either bad or good.
51 Here is Rebekah before you; take her and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as the Lord has spoken.”

The servant worships and praises God for faithfully leading him to Rebekah, the woman chosen for Isaac. He then asks the family to confirm whether they will allow Rebekah to go with him as Isaac’s wife. Laban and Bethuel, recognizing the divine hand in these events, acknowledge that this matter is from the Lord and that they have no right to oppose it. They willingly give their blessing for Rebekah to go and become Isaac’s wife, affirming that the Lord’s will must be done. This reveals their understanding of the significance of the situation and their respect for God’s plan.

Genesis 24:52-54 (NKJV)
52 And it came to pass, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, that he worshiped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth.
53 Then the servant brought out jewelry of silver, jewelry of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother.
54 And he and the men who were with him ate and drank and stayed all night. Then they arose in the morning, and he said, “Send me away to my master.”

Upon receiving their confirmation, the servant once again worships God, expressing his gratitude for the successful outcome. He then gives further gifts to Rebekah and her family as part of the marriage arrangements. The servant and his men enjoy the family’s hospitality, and after staying the night, the servant is eager to return to Abraham with Rebekah to complete the mission. This demonstrates the servant’s diligence and commitment to ensuring that Abraham’s instructions are fully carried out.

Genesis 24:55-58 (NKJV)
55 But her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman stay with us a few days, at least ten; after that she may go.”
56 And he said to them, “Do not hinder me, since the Lord has prospered my way; send me away so that I may go to my master.”
57 So they said, “We will call the young woman and ask her personally.”
58 Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.”

Rebekah’s family asks for her to stay a little longer, but the servant, knowing that God’s blessing has already been granted, urges them not to delay. Recognizing the importance of the matter, they leave the final decision to Rebekah. When asked, Rebekah willingly agrees to go with the servant immediately, showing her trust in God’s plan and her willingness to leave her family to become Isaac’s wife. Her response highlights her courage and faith, as she steps into a future led by divine guidance.

Genesis 24:59-61 (NKJV)
59 So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men.
60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her:
“Our sister, may you become
The mother of thousands of ten thousands;
And may your descendants possess
The gates of those who hate them.”
61 Then Rebekah and her maids arose, and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.

Rebekah’s family sends her off with their blessing, wishing her a fruitful and victorious future. Their blessing echoes the promises made to Abraham, underscoring the belief that Rebekah would play a vital role in the continuation of God’s covenant. Rebekah departs with her nurse and maids, riding on camels provided by the servant. The journey back to Isaac marks the next step in fulfilling God’s promises to Abraham’s descendants. The significance of Rebekah’s role in the future of God’s people becomes evident in this part of the narrative.

Genesis 24:62-65 (NKJV)
62 Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he dwelt in the South.
63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming.
64 Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel;
65 for she had said to the servant, “Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took a veil and covered herself.

Isaac, living in the South, is introduced as he meditates in the field. This act of meditation shows Isaac’s contemplative nature and his connection with God. As the caravan arrives, both Isaac and Rebekah see each other from a distance. Rebekah dismounts, signaling her modesty and respect, and covers herself with a veil upon learning that the man approaching is her future husband. This act of veiling was a customary sign of modesty and preparation for marriage, marking the formal beginning of her new role as Isaac’s wife.

Genesis 24:66-67 (NKJV)
66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.
67 Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

The servant reports the entire journey to Isaac, recounting how God had faithfully guided him to Rebekah. Isaac then brings Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent, signifying that Rebekah now takes on the role of matriarch in the family. Their marriage is consummated, and Isaac’s love for Rebekah grows, providing him comfort after the loss of his mother, Sarah. This final verse emphasizes the significance of this union, as Isaac and Rebekah’s marriage not only continues Abraham’s lineage but also brings emotional healing to Isaac.