God of new days and blessings, bless richly the life and needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Genesis 24: 34 The servant said, "I'm the servant of Abraham. 35 God has blessed my master - he's a great man; God has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, servants and maidservants, camels and donkeys. 36 And then to top it off, Sarah, my master's wife, gave him a son in her old age and he has passed everything on to his son. 37 My master made me promise, 'Don't get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I live. 38 No, go to my father's home, back to my family, and get a wife for my son there.' 42 "Well, when I came this very day to the spring, I prayed, 'God, God of my master Abraham, make things turn out well in this task I've been given. 43 I'm standing at this well. When a young woman comes here to draw water and I say to her, Please, give me a sip of water from your jug, 44 and she says, Not only will I give you a drink, I'll also water your camels - let that woman be the wife God has picked out for my master's son.' 45 "I had barely finished offering this prayer, when Rebekah arrived, her jug on her shoulder. She went to the spring and drew water and I said, 'Please, can I have a drink?' 46 She didn't hesitate. She held out her jug and said, 'Drink; and when you're finished I'll also water your camels.' I drank, and she watered the camels. 47 I asked her, 'Whose daughter are you?' She said, 'The daughter of Bethuel whose parents were Nahor and Milcah.' I gave her a ring for her nose, bracelets for her arms, 48 and bowed in worship to God. I praised God, the God of my master Abraham who had led me straight to the door of my master's family to get a wife for his son. 49 "Now, tell me what you are going to do. If you plan to respond with a generous yes, tell me. But if not, tell me plainly so I can figure out what to do next." 58 They called Rebekah and asked her, "Do you want to go with this man?" She said, "I'm ready to go." 59 So they sent them off, their sister Rebekah with her nurse, and Abraham's servant with his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah saying, You're our sister - live bountifully! And your children, triumphantly! 61 Rebekah and her young maids mounted the camels and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah and set off for home. 62 Isaac was living in the Negev. He had just come back from a visit to Beer Lahai Roi. 63 In the evening he went out into the field; while meditating he looked up and saw camels coming. 64 When Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac, she got down from her camel 65 and asked the servant, "Who is that man out in the field coming toward us?" "That is my master." She took her veil and covered herself. 66 After the servant told Isaac the whole story of the trip, 67 Isaac took Rebekah into the tent of his mother Sarah. He married Rebekah and she became his wife and he loved her. So Isaac found comfort after his mother's death. (The Message)
When I was called into ministry and I finally made it to seminary, the unwritten rule was that all ministers should be married. I did not fight this rule I just was not married. My first year in seminary was a grave concern for the upperclassmen (yes, all men) and so suggestions and invitations were offered. Somehow I knew this would not be the way to find my wife. I remember finally praying, "Lord, I am just going to trust You and not worry about it." Amen. It was shortly after that prayer that I met and married Nellie. There is a spiritual side to marriage that many either overlook or forget. Today's passage was the process Abraham employed to find a wife for his son Isaac. It was a God-trusting, God-led, and God-answered process where Abraham believed that God's angel would find the "angel" for his son. So, Abraham sends his most trusted servant on this journey. Among the things that made this man Abraham's most trusted was his personal belief and trust in God through prayer. The man prayed a prayer putting the condition that needed to be met as a sign that this woman would be the one intended for Isaac. Yes, these were the days of arranged marriages but it's interesting to note that both the father and the agent charged with finding the wife trusted God. It was a God-arranged marriage.
It was an interesting condition placed on the right woman. She would be a woman of character and compassion for she would not only offer this servant a drink of water, she would offer to water his camels as well. Not a small nor easy task, but one that a caring woman would undertake. And the servant found such a woman in Rebekah with whom Isaac was well pleased and he took her as his wife.
It is spiritually beneficial for us even today to trust the God of our relationship with our relationships. The one who enjoys a daily and close personal relationship with God knows to trust God in all things, especially relationship with others. To seek a lifetime partner in marriage requires a deep trust and commitment to God to provide such a person. And not just the encounter and the wedding, but the entire marriage as well should be covered in prayer.
Do you trust God enough to talk to and listen to?
PRAYER: Loving God of my very being, allow me to trust You and walk with You to be the person You would have me be. I ask a blessing on those who are seeking life partners for marriage that it be You who provides the person best suited for such a journey. Not not just in the meeting and romance, but in every day and detail of the life that is to follow. I ask a blessing on all who are married that we might continue to trust You in our daily dealings; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
