Thursday, April 14, 2016

Story 17: A Wife Is Chosen For I'saac lll

   E-li-e'zer then told Re-bek'ah that he was a servant of her uncle A'bra-ham, who was now a prosperous herdsman in the land Ca'naan. Now certain that he had been led by the hand of  Divine Providence, E-li-e'zer bowed his head in a prayer of gratitude. Meanwhile Re-bek'ah ran to her father's house and told her family about the stranger, and the things which he had told her. Her brother La'ban went out to meet E-li-e'zer, whom he addressed as a servant of the LORD, and urged him to come into the house. E-li-e'zer and the servants which he had brought with him on the mission were shown all the courtesies of Oriental hospitality.
   E-li-e'zer refused to join the feast until he had explained his errand to the hosts. First he told them of his master's prosperity, and of the blessings which God had granted him, pointing out the fact that A'bra-ham had only one son to inherit his entire estate. He then praised the nobility and piety of both A'bra-ham and I'saac, explaining the many advantages that would be enjoyed by the woman who became the wife of I'saac. He also described the instructions which A'bra-ham had given him for the task of finding a wife for I'saac, and the Divine Providential guidance which had led him to the choice of Re-bek'ah. Finally, he asked that the parents give their consent for Re-bek'ah to become the wife of I'saac, and that he be permitted to return to Ca'naan with her.