Gen 24:61b-64a

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†. Gen 24:61b . . So the servant took Rebecca and went his way.

The 500 mile trip to Isaac's camp, which must have taken at least two
weeks, was a great opportunity for Rebecca to become familiar with the
manager of her spouse's goods. People bond well under hardship and under
close knit circumstances. In the years to come, the friendship and trust that
developed en route with Rebecca and the man, would really come in handy
after she took over Isaac's home. We can easily guess what the primary
topic of conversation was on the way back-- Mr. Isaac.

"Oh, do tell me more about him. What's his favorite food? His favorite color?
When's his birthday? Has he been a playboy, dating lots of girls? Is he
mellow or is he thin-skinned and easily angered? What does he do in his
spare time? How tall is he? Does he have many pet peeves? What color is
his hair and eyes? How old is he? Does he have a sense of humor? Would he
get upset if I burned the toast? Is he generous with his money, or a miserly
tight wad? Do you really think he will like me?" All those things, and lots,
lots more, are very important to most brides and I have no doubt that
Rebecca pried a great many things out of Abraham's steward concerning her
Isaac. By the time they arrived, all of Becky's anxieties and fears about her
future husband were resolved, and she admired that man before even
meeting him for the very first time.

You know, Becky only had the steward's word that there really was an Isaac.
She herself had never seen him, her family had never seen him, in fact no
one in her whole town had ever seen Isaac. What if the entire story were a
big hoax and the man was not telling the truth. Perhaps he was a smooth
con man who actually had in mind to sell Becky into slavery down in Egypt.
The farther and farther she got from home, the more danger Becky was in.
The land was strange and hostile, Becky had no friends and no one to turn
to if she might try an escape. She was in fact trusting her very life to an
almost complete stranger. (cf. Php 1:6)

But that man's speech and his bearing were powerfully persuasive. He was
able to convince Becky that he was genuinely Abraham's steward and that
there really was an Isaac waiting for her at trail's end. Becky left home with
one stranger to marry yet another stranger. But by the time they arrived,
Abraham's trusty steward had Becky all prepared to meet her man; and she
feared nothing.

†. Gen 24:62 . . Isaac had just come back from the vicinity of Beer
lahai-roi, for he was settled in the region of the Negeb.

Beer-lahai-roi was the source of water where Hagar met God for the very
first time; and her experience caused the well to be named the way it was in
Gen 16:13-14.

Hagar's water source became not only somewhat of a holy land mark, but
also an important watering hole for people with flocks and herds down there
in the Negev; thanks to a runaway slave girl.

†. Gen 24:63a . . And Isaac went out walking in the field toward
evening

The precise location of this field is uncertain. Since Isaac's ranch was in the
Negev, near Hagar's well, that might be where this next scene occurred.

There lacks a consensus opinion among Jewish scholars as to the precise
meaning of the Hebrew word laasuwach, which is translated "walking" in
some Bibles; and "meditate" in others. The JPS rendering, "walking" is based
upon the Arabic saha. Tradition has it that Isaac was out in the field for
reflection and prayer. What might he be praying about? Well, most likely
about his impending marriage to a mail-order bride. If Rebecca was at all
nervous, you can bet Isaac was just as nervous himself. These two were
going to be joined at the hip for the rest of their lives and they had yet to
even meet.

†. Gen 24:63b-64a . . and, looking up, he saw camels approaching.
Raising her eyes, Rebecca saw Isaac.

I've heard the wording suggests a simultaneous meeting of the eyes. Isaac
saw Rebecca just when she saw him. Rebecca couldn't be positive at that
moment the man she saw was her future husband; but one thing Isaac
knew: his dad's servant didn't leave home with female passengers. One of
those women out there on the camels had to be for him.

Cont.
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