When Isaac came of age to marry, Abraham did not want his son to marry a Canaanite woman. Rather, he wanted Isaac to marry a woman from his father’s family. Before Abraham died he gave instructions to his chief servant, Eliezer, on how and where to obtain a wife for Isaac. In obedience to his master, the chief servant made a trip back to the land of Abraham’s ancestors. Upon arrival he prayed a prayer for wisdom and success in finding a wife for Isaac.
When Rebekah came to the well where the chief servant rested and prayed, she was an immediate and direct answer to his prayer. Her offer to draw water from the well for Eliezer’s camels was unusual, and this act of kindness displayed Rebekah’s servant heart. Abraham’s chief servant was more concerned about choosing a woman with a right attitude and disposition than concern with physical beauty or social status. It would be good for us to follow his example and focus more on the inner beauty of others, as well as improving our own.
Eliezer went with Rebecca to her home to ask permission for her to go with him back to the land of Canaan for the purpose of becoming Isaac’s wife. After he related his story to her brother, Laben, Rebecca was freely given to become Isaac’s wife. Rebecca was also given a choice in the matter, and she chose to return with Eliezer to the land of Canaan. She must have known that it was part of God’s plan for her life to be willing to leave her family and loved ones to join a stranger in a distant land. She was walking into the unknown, trusting God with her future. The customs were different back then, but there are some elements in this story that would be beneficial in the courting ritual today:
1. The future mate should be sought for from within the family…the Family of God. Compatibility is much more likely when the backgrounds and beliefs are similar.
2. There should be much prayer for guidance in the right selection. Sometimes laying out fleeces is a good way to know for sure the wisdom of God. We should pray in specifics, as the chief servant did, for God delights in answering in specifics. When choosing a life-long partner, God is very concerned that we seek His guidance and choose carefully. He alone knows our future path and who can best accompany us on our journey through life.
3. No one should marry against his or her own will. Adults are given the freedom of choice in our culture, and both partners before the marriage should be able to freely choose whom they intend to share life with. However, once the choice is made and consummated, a new principle goes into effect…one of total commitment until death they both part. Without that commitment, when the road gets bumpy someone may decide to jump off the tandem bicycle. Commitment, on the other hand, will keep both partners working together to complete the journey.
God truly does honor very specific and sincere prayers. His beautiful provision to Eliezer’s prayer left no doubt that God was also answering one of Abraham’s last prayers for the future of his son. If you have not tried praying in the specific state, next time you pray give God some details to work with. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at His response. Intimate details are God’s specialty. Get intimate with God, go ahead….He’s waiting for you!
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