Rev Xi An Poon
創世記24:27「耶和華我主人亞伯拉罕的神是應當稱頌的;因他不斷地以慈愛誠實待我主人。至於我,耶和華在路上引領我,直走到我主人的兄弟家裡。」
昨天我們在創世記23章看見,亞伯拉罕面對撒拉的離世,仍然憑信心買下麥比拉洞。那不只是安葬撒拉的地方,也是他在應許之地中第一個實際擁有的產業記號。
到了創世記24章,亞伯拉罕已經年紀老邁,聖經說:「向來在一切事上耶和華都賜福給他。」如果從人的角度來看,他已經可以停下來,享受晚年的安穩;但亞伯拉罕沒有停留在自己的祝福裡。他仍然記念神的約,記念神曾應許他的後裔要承受迦南地,所以他為以撒預備婚姻,不只是為兒子找妻子,更是為下一代預備承接神應許的道路。
今天創世記24章提醒我們:真正蒙福的人,不是停在已經得著的祝福裡,而是願意為著神的心意、神的約、神的下一步,再多走一步路。
一、在蒙福中多走一步
創世記24:1「亞伯拉罕年紀老邁,向來在一切事上耶和華都賜福給他。」
亞伯拉罕一生經歷神的帶領。他曾經離開本地、本族、父家;曾經面對饑荒;也曾經有懼怕和軟弱;但神一直以恩典托住他,引導他,成全祂對他的應許。
到了晚年,亞伯拉罕沒有只說:「我已經蒙福了。」他仍然記念神的約,知道神的應許不能只停在自己身上,也要延續到以撒和下一代。
今天,神也提醒我們:蒙福不是終點。神過去怎樣恩待我們,祂今天也呼召我們,不只是享受祝福,更要在祝福中繼續回應祂的心意。
二、在需要中多走一步
創世記24:6-7「亞伯拉罕對他說:你要謹慎,不要帶我的兒子回那裡去。耶和華天上的主曾帶領我離開父家和本族的地,對我說話,向我起誓說:我要將這地賜給你的後裔。他必差遣使者在你面前,你就可以從那裡為我兒子娶一個妻子。」
以撒需要妻子,這是真實的需要;但亞伯拉罕沒有因為需要重要,就放下神的方向。他很清楚吩咐僕人:不可為以撒娶迦南女子,也不可帶以撒回原來的地方去。
這提醒我們,人的需要要被照顧,但不能使人離開神的約。很多時候,當問題急著要解決,壓力很大,人的情感很強,我們很容易只想快點有答案。但亞伯拉罕讓我們看見,信心不是沒有需要,而是在需要中仍然守住神的路。
老僕人也沒有只靠經驗完成任務。他到了井旁,就向神禱告:
創世記24:12「耶和華我主人亞伯拉罕的神啊,求你施恩給我主人亞伯拉罕,使我今日遇見好機會。」
他在路上尋求神,在細節中等候神,也在人面前見證神怎樣引導。真正的忠心,不只是完成事情,而是在完成事情的過程中仍然敬畏神、尋求神、見證神。
三、在回應中多走一步
創世記24:58「他們就叫了利百加來,問她說:你和這人同去嗎?利百加說:我去。」
利百加的回答只有兩個字:「我去。」但這兩個字承載著很大的信心。她要離開父家、本族、本鄉,前往一個陌生的地方,進入神為她預備的道路。
這與亞伯拉罕當年離開本地、本族、父家的信心很相似。神不一定把未來每一步都完全展開,但當祂的方向清楚時,人就需要回應。
最後,以撒迎娶利百加,經文說:
創世記24:67「以撒便領利百加進了他母親撒拉的帳棚,娶了她為妻,並且愛她。以撒自從他母親不在了,這才得了安慰。」
神所預備的,不只是讓以撒有一個妻子,也使他在母親離世後得著安慰。神不只成就事情,祂也安慰人的心;祂不只安排外在的道路,也觸摸人裡面的失落。
創世記24章讓我們看見,神的祝福不是叫人停下來,而是帶領人繼續走在祂的約中。
亞伯拉罕在蒙福中多走一步,記念神對下一代的應許;老僕人在需要中多走一步,禱告尋求神,在路上見證神;利百加在回應中多走一步,離開熟悉的本家,進入神所預備的道路。
當人願意為神多走一步,神就讓祂的應許繼續往前;當人願意在需要中守住神的方向,神就在路上顯明祂的引導;當人願意憑信心回應,神所帶來的就不只是事情的成就,更是生命深處的安慰。
因此,今天的追求不是要求自己用力做更多,而是讓我們重新回到神的約中,看見祂已經賜下恩典,也正在邀請我們回應祂下一步的帶領。
我們是否已經習慣停留在過去的祝福裡,卻少了繼續為神前行的渴慕?
我們是否在一些需要和壓力面前,只想快點解決問題,卻忘記先尋求神的方向?
我們是否有些地方已經聽見神的提醒,卻仍然停留在猶豫、觀望或安舒之中,不願意說:「主,我去」?
今天,神要我們多走的一步是什麼?
也許是為家庭多走一步,不只享受家庭的祝福,也承擔屬靈的守望。
也許是為下一代多走一步,不只關心他們的生活,也關心他們是否走在神的應許中。
也許是在禱告中多走一步,不再只靠經驗和能力,而是重新尋求神的引導。
也許是在服事中多走一步,不被路上的舒適和人的稱讚停住,而是忠心完成神的託付。
也許是在信心回應中多走一步,離開熟悉的安全感,走進神正在預備的新路。
當我們願意這樣回應神,就會發現,神不是只要求我們向前,祂也在前面為我們預備。祂的慈愛沒有停止,祂的信實沒有改變,祂仍然在路上引領我們。
親愛的天父,我們感謝祢。今天藉著創世記24章,讓我們看見亞伯拉罕沒有停留在自己已經蒙福的生命裡,而是在晚年仍然記念祢的約,為下一代多走一步。
主啊,求祢幫助我們,不只停留在過去所領受的恩典裡,而是繼續走在祢的心意中。
當我們面對生活中的需要、壓力和選擇時,求祢保守我們的心,不讓眼前的需要把我們帶離祢的方向。幫助我們像亞伯拉罕一樣守住祢的約,也像那位老僕人一樣,在路上禱告,在細節中尋求,在人面前見證祢的慈愛和信實。
主啊,也求祢賜給我們像利百加一樣的信心。當祢的引導向我們顯明時,讓我們不只是知道,不只是同意,也願意用生命回應祢。使我們能夠在祢面前說:「主,我願意去;我願意跟隨;我願意為祢多走一步。」
天父,我們相信祢所預備的,不只是事情的成就,也包括生命深處的安慰。求祢安慰那些正在失落中的人,扶持那些正在等候中的人,堅固那些正在作選擇的人,也帶領我們的家庭、下一代和教會,繼續走在祢的約和祝福之中。
願我們今天都不只是停在已經蒙福的地方,而是因著祢的愛和信實,為祢多走一步路。
奉主耶穌基督的名禱告,阿們。
創世記 24
1 亞伯拉罕年紀老邁,向來在一切事上耶和華都賜福給他。 2 亞伯拉罕對管理他全業最老的僕人說:「請你把手放在我大腿底下, 3 我要叫你指著耶和華天地的主起誓:不要為我兒子娶這迦南地中的女子為妻, 4 你要往我本地本族去,為我的兒子以撒娶一個妻子。」 5 僕人對他說:「倘若女子不肯跟我到這地方來,我必須將你的兒子帶回你原出之地嗎?」 6 亞伯拉罕對他說:「你要謹慎,不要帶我的兒子回那裡去! 7 耶和華天上的主曾帶領我離開父家和本族的地,對我說話,向我起誓說:『我要將這地賜給你的後裔。』他必差遣使者在你面前,你就可以從那裡為我兒子娶一個妻子。 8 倘若女子不肯跟你來,我使你起的誓就與你無干了,只是不可帶我的兒子回那裡去。」 9 僕人就把手放在他主人亞伯拉罕的大腿底下,為這事向他起誓。
10 那僕人從他主人的駱駝裡取了十匹駱駝,並帶些他主人各樣的財物,起身往美索不達米亞去,到了拿鶴的城。 11 天將晚,眾女子出來打水的時候,他便叫駱駝跪在城外的水井那裡。 12 他說:「耶和華我主人亞伯拉罕的神啊,求你施恩給我主人亞伯拉罕,使我今日遇見好機會。 13 我現今站在井旁,城內居民的女子們正出來打水, 14 我向哪一個女子說:『請你拿下水瓶來,給我水喝』,她若說:『請喝,我也給你的駱駝喝』,願那女子就做你所預定給你僕人以撒的妻。這樣,我便知道你施恩給我主人了。」 15 話還沒有說完,不料,利百加肩頭上扛著水瓶出來。利百加是彼土利所生的,彼土利是亞伯拉罕兄弟拿鶴妻子密迦的兒子。 16 那女子容貌極其俊美,還是處女,也未曾有人親近她。她下到井旁,打滿了瓶,又上來。 17 僕人跑上前去迎著她,說:「求你將瓶裡的水給我一點喝。」 18 女子說:「我主請喝。」就急忙拿下瓶來,托在手上給他喝。 19 女子給他喝了,就說:「我再為你的駱駝打水,叫駱駝也喝足。」 20 她就急忙把瓶裡的水倒在槽裡,又跑到井旁打水,就為所有的駱駝打上水來。 21 那人定睛看她,一句話也不說,要曉得耶和華賜他通達的道路沒有。 22 駱駝喝足了,那人就拿一個金環,重半舍客勒,兩個金鐲,重十舍客勒,給了那女子, 23 說:「請告訴我,你是誰的女兒?你父親家裡有我們住宿的地方沒有?」 24 女子說:「我是密迦與拿鶴之子彼土利的女兒。」 25 又說:「我們家裡足有糧草,也有住宿的地方。」 26 那人就低頭向耶和華下拜, 27 說:「耶和華我主人亞伯拉罕的神是應當稱頌的!因他不斷地以慈愛、誠實待我主人。至於我,耶和華在路上引領我,直走到我主人的兄弟家裡。」
28 女子跑回去,照著這些話告訴她母親和她家裡的人。 29 利百加有一個哥哥,名叫拉班,看見金環,又看見金鐲在他妹子的手上,並聽見他妹子利百加的話,說「那人對我如此如此說」,拉班就跑出來往井旁去。到那人跟前,見他仍站在駱駝旁邊的井旁那裡, 31 便對他說:「你這蒙耶和華賜福的,請進來,為什麼站在外邊?我已經收拾了房屋,也為駱駝預備了地方。」
32 那人就進了拉班的家。拉班卸了駱駝,用草料餵上,拿水給那人和跟隨的人洗腳, 33 把飯擺在他面前,叫他吃。他卻說:「我不吃,等我說明白我的事情再吃。」拉班說:「請說。」 34 他說:「我是亞伯拉罕的僕人。 35 耶和華大大地賜福給我主人,使他昌大,又賜給他羊群、牛群、金銀、僕婢、駱駝和驢。 36 我主人的妻子撒拉年老的時候給我主人生了一個兒子,我主人也將一切所有的都給了這個兒子。 37 我主人叫我起誓說:『你不要為我兒子娶迦南地的女子為妻。 38 你要往我父家、我本族那裡去,為我的兒子娶一個妻子。』 39 我對我主人說:『恐怕女子不肯跟我來。』 40 他就說:『我所侍奉的耶和華必要差遣他的使者與你同去,叫你的道路通達,你就得以在我父家、我本族那裡,給我的兒子娶一個妻子。 41 只要你到了我本族那裡,我使你起的誓就與你無干。他們若不把女子交給你,我使你起的誓也與你無干。』 42 我今日到了井旁,便說:『耶和華我主人亞伯拉罕的神啊,願你叫我所行的道路通達。 43 我如今站在井旁,對哪一個出來打水的女子說:「請你把你瓶裡的水給我一點喝」, 44 她若說:「你只管喝,我也為你的駱駝打水」,願那女子就做耶和華給我主人兒子所預定的妻。』 45 我心裡的話還沒有說完,利百加就出來,肩頭上扛著水瓶,下到井旁打水。我便對她說:『請你給我水喝。』 46 她就急忙從肩頭上拿下瓶來,說:『請喝,我也給你的駱駝喝。』我便喝了,她又給我的駱駝喝了。 47 我問她說:『你是誰的女兒?』她說:『我是密迦與拿鶴之子彼土利的女兒。』我就把環子戴在她鼻子上,把鐲子戴在她兩手上。 48 隨後我低頭向耶和華下拜,稱頌耶和華我主人亞伯拉罕的神,因為他引導我走合適的道路,使我得著我主人兄弟的孫女,給我主人的兒子為妻。 49 現在你們若願以慈愛、誠實待我主人,就告訴我,若不然,也告訴我,使我可以或向左或向右。」
50 拉班和彼土利回答說:「這事乃出於耶和華,我們不能向你說好說歹。 51 看哪,利百加在你面前,可以將她帶去,照著耶和華所說的,給你主人的兒子為妻。」 52 亞伯拉罕的僕人聽見他們這話,就向耶和華俯伏在地。 53 當下僕人拿出金器、銀器和衣服送給利百加,又將寶物送給她哥哥和她母親。 54 僕人和跟從他的人吃了喝了,住了一夜。早晨起來,僕人就說:「請打發我回我主人那裡去吧。」 55 利百加的哥哥和她母親說:「讓女子同我們再住幾天,至少十天,然後她可以去。」 56 僕人說:「耶和華既賜給我通達的道路,你們不要耽誤我,請打發我走,回我主人那裡去吧。」 57 他們說:「我們把女子叫來問問她。」 58 就叫了利百加來,問她說:「你和這人同去嗎?」利百加說:「我去。」 59 於是他們打發妹子利百加和她的乳母,同亞伯拉罕的僕人,並跟從僕人的,都走了。 60 他們就給利百加祝福說:「我們的妹子啊,願你做千萬人的母!願你的後裔得著仇敵的城門!」
61 利百加和她的使女們起來,騎上駱駝,跟著那僕人,僕人就帶著利百加走了。 62 那時,以撒住在南地,剛從庇耳拉海萊回來。 63 天將晚,以撒出來在田間默想,舉目一看,見來了些駱駝。 64 利百加舉目看見以撒,就急忙下了駱駝, 65 問那僕人說:「這田間走來迎接我們的是誰?」僕人說:「是我的主人。」利百加就拿帕子蒙上臉。 66 僕人就將所辦的一切事都告訴以撒。 67 以撒便領利百加進了他母親撒拉的帳篷,娶了她為妻,並且愛她。以撒自從他母親不在了,這才得了安慰。
【Key Scripture】
Genesis 24:27
“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.’”
Yesterday, in Genesis 23, we saw Abraham facing the death of Sarah. Even in grief, he did not lose faith. He bought the cave of Machpelah as a burial place for Sarah. That piece of land was not only a burial place, but also the first visible sign of Abraham possessing part of the land God had promised.
In Genesis 24, the focus moves from Sarah’s death to Isaac’s future. Abraham was now old, and the Bible says that “the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.” From a human point of view, Abraham could have simply rested and enjoyed the blessings of his later years.
But Abraham did not remain only in his own blessing. He remembered God’s covenant. He remembered that God had promised the land of Canaan to his descendants. Therefore, he arranged for Isaac’s marriage, not merely to find a wife for his son, but to prepare the next generation to continue walking in God’s promise.
Genesis 24 reminds us today: a truly blessed person does not stop at the blessings already received, but is willing, for the sake of God’s heart, God’s covenant, and God’s next step, to take one more step with Him.
- Take one more step in blessing
Genesis 24:1
“Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.”
Abraham had experienced God’s guidance throughout his life. He had left his country, his family, and his father’s house. He had faced famine. He had also experienced fear and weakness. Yet God had continued to uphold him with grace, lead him, and fulfil His promise.
In his old age, Abraham did not simply say, “I have already been blessed.” He still remembered God’s covenant. He knew that God’s promise was not meant to stop with him, but had to continue through Isaac and the next generation.
This reminds us that blessing is not the end. God has blessed us, but He also calls us not merely to enjoy His blessings, but to continue responding to His heart.
- Take one more step in need
Genesis 24:6-7
“But Abraham said to him, ‘Beware that you do not take my son back there. 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.’”
Isaac needed a wife, and this was a real need. But Abraham did not lower God’s direction because of that need. He clearly instructed his servant not to take a wife for Isaac from the Canaanites, and also not to take Isaac back to the land Abraham had left.
This shows us an important spiritual principle: human needs should be cared for, but they must not lead us away from God’s covenant.
Many times, when problems are urgent, pressure is heavy, and emotions are strong, we may only want a quick answer. But Abraham shows us that faith does not mean having no needs. Faith means that even in our needs, we still choose to remain on God’s path.
Abraham’s servant also did not depend only on his own experience. When he arrived at the well, he prayed to God.
Genesis 24:12
“Then he said, ‘O LORD God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.’”
He sought God on the journey, waited for God in the details, and later testified before Rebekah’s family about how God had led him. True faithfulness is not only completing a task, but fearing God, seeking God, and witnessing for God while completing it.
- Take one more step in response
Genesis 24:58
“Then they called Rebekah and said to her, ‘Will you go with this man?’ And she said, ‘I will go.’”
Rebekah’s answer was simple: “I will go.” But these words carried great faith.
She was leaving her father’s house, her family, and her homeland, and going to an unfamiliar place. She was stepping into a future she had not yet seen.
This echoes the faith of Abraham, who once left his country, his family, and his father’s house because of God’s calling. God may not show us every detail of the future, but when His direction becomes clear, we need to respond.
At the end, Isaac received Rebekah as his wife, and the Bible says:
Genesis 24:67
“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.”
God’s provision was not only that Isaac received a wife. God also brought comfort to his heart after the loss of his mother. God does not only accomplish outward matters; He also comforts the heart. He does not only arrange the road ahead; He also touches the hidden places of grief and loss within us.
【Summary】
Genesis 24 shows us that God’s blessing is not meant to make us stop, but to lead us to continue walking in His covenant.
Abraham took one more step in blessing, remembering God’s promise for the next generation.
The servant took one more step in need, praying, seeking God, and witnessing to God’s guidance on the journey.
Rebekah took one more step in response, leaving the familiar and entering the path God had prepared.
When people are willing to take one more step with God, His promise continues to move forward. When people remain in His direction even in their needs, He reveals His guidance along the way. When people respond by faith, God brings not only the fulfilment of matters, but also deep comfort to the heart.
Therefore, today’s pursuit is not about forcing ourselves to do more by human strength. It is about returning to God’s covenant, seeing the grace He has already given, and responding to the next step He is leading us into.
【Pursuit】
Have we become used to remaining in past blessings, while losing the desire to continue moving forward with God?
When facing needs and pressure, do we only want quick solutions, while forgetting to first seek God’s direction?
Are there areas where we have already heard God’s reminder, but still remain in hesitation, observation, or comfort, unwilling to say, “Lord, I will go”?
What is the one more step God is asking us to take today?
Perhaps it is to take one more step for our family, not only enjoying family blessings, but also carrying spiritual responsibility.
Perhaps it is to take one more step for the next generation, not only caring about their daily lives, but also whether they are walking in God’s promise.
Perhaps it is to take one more step in prayer, no longer depending only on experience and ability, but seeking God’s guidance again.
Perhaps it is to take one more step in serving, not being stopped by comfort or human praise, but faithfully completing what God has entrusted to us.
Perhaps it is to take one more step in faith, leaving familiar security and entering the new path God is preparing.
When we are willing to respond to God in this way, we will discover that God is not only asking us to move forward; He is also preparing the way before us. His mercy has not stopped. His faithfulness has not changed. He is still leading us on the way.
【Prayer】
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You. Through Genesis 24, You show us that Abraham did not remain only in the life he had already received, but in his old age, he still remembered Your covenant and took one more step for the next generation.
Lord, help us not to remain only in the grace we have received in the past, but to continue walking in Your will.
When we face the needs, pressures, and choices of life, guard our hearts. Do not allow present needs to lead us away from Your direction. Help us to be like Abraham, holding firmly to Your covenant, and like the servant, praying on the way, seeking You in the details, and witnessing Your mercy and faithfulness before others.
Lord, also give us faith like Rebekah. When Your guidance becomes clear, let us not only know it or agree with it, but respond with our lives. Help us to say before You, “Lord, I am willing to go. I am willing to follow. I am willing to take one more step with You.”
Father, we believe that what You prepare is not only the fulfilment of outward matters, but also deep comfort for the heart. Comfort those who are in loss. Strengthen those who are waiting. Establish those who are making decisions. Lead our families, the next generation, and the church to continue walking in Your covenant and blessing.
May we not remain only in the place where we have already been blessed, but because of Your love and faithfulness, may we take one more step with You today.
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Genesis 24
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; 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. 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.
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.”
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. 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.
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.” 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.” 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. 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.”
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.’ 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.’
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.’
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. 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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
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.


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