Happy Matrimony

“Isaac brought her into the tent…and he married Rebekah…and he loved her….”  Genesis 24:67

The match was made in heaven but the message needed to make it to earth, for Sarah was dead, Abraham old, and their son Isaac unwed.   The hometown girls weren’t exactly holy, so dad sent a servant to retrieve a relative for his son.  

The man was more than moderately anxious about this assignment.  Abraham promised an angel would go before him, but the servant heard no wings as he approached the well at Nahor. (Since women came to draw water in the evening, he thought it a good place to scout for a spouse.)

But before he inspected, he implored.  “Then he prayed, ‘O Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today.”   He asked God to make the choice easy and obvious—“Please, may the girl who gives water to both me and my camels be the one you’ve chosen as Isaac’s wife.”

Before he even said “Amen,” Rebekah arrived and gave him a drink to sip and his camels drinks to slurp.  The servant was delighted to discover she was the granddaughter of Abraham’s brother, and he bowed in worship.

Invited home as a guest, he wouldn’t touch his supper until he told the whole story, giving God credit for His kindness and praise for His provision.  Rebekah’s brothers realized this duo was divine, bestowed their blessing, and agreed for her to depart the next day.  

As she neared her new home, Rebekah spotted Isaac in the field and hopped down from her camel into holy matrimony.  The servant’s mission was complete, and Operation Hitch was a has-been.

If you’re married, you probably prayed for your spouse.  God answered when you asked, so praise Him for your partner.  Unlike Isaac, you got to pick for yourself, so celebrate your choice and commit again to helping your mate become all that God desires.

Love holy and wholly. That will make the Matchmaker happy. 

And you too.