E-li-e'zer then took his departure as he had planned, taking Re-bek'ah with him, and followed by the good wishes, blessings, and prayers of the entire household. Be-thu'el bestowed upon Re-bek'ah certain goods according to the customs of those days, and gave her the maid who had watched over her from infancy. Her name was Deb'o-rah, and she remained a faithful servant of Re-bek'ah until her death many years later.
While all these events were taking place in Mes-o-po-ta'mia, I'saac remained in Ca'naan, hoping and praying for the success of E-li-e'zer's mission. He went out to the well where the Angel Je-ho'vah had comforted Ha'gar, for A'bra-ham was now living once more in southwestern Ca'naan near Be'er-she'ba. Here I'saac recalled how many times the LORD had blessed his father's family, and here he entreated the LORD concerning his own marriage.
We are not told how long I'saac remained lost in meditation, nor what thoughts filled his mind, but we do know that while his eyes were still lifted up toward Heaven, there suddenly appeared in the distance E-li-e'zer's caravan of camels. When Re-bek'ah was told that the man coming out to meet the caravan was I'saac, she followed the custom of the day by covering her face with a veil. I'saac loved her from the first moment, and in due time the marriage ordained by the LORD was carried out. As a token of love and respect I'saac placed Re-bek'ah in the tent which Sa'rah had occupied until her death, thus proving that he was comforted for his mother's death.
Such is the story of this beautiful, romantic marriage, a marriage not unlike many which take place today among certain peoples of the East, except that it was directed in every detail by the LORD. It was a marriage made possible by faith in God: Faith on the part of A'bra-ham and his loyal servant E-li-e'zer, on the part of I'saac, and on the part of Re-bek'ah. The prompt, cheerful response of Re-bek'ah, and the good spirit which she showed in the course of so many strange events can be explained in no other way than to credit her with perfect faith in the LORD,
This was truly a marriage in the LORD. It was pervaded by a spirit of reverence toward God as the Founder of the institution, and by a desire for His blessings. The motives of all concerned were pure and sincere, and supreme regard was given to the will of God. A spirit of prayer precipitated every movement, and the LORD'S indication of His own choice of a bride was accepted by I'saac as a gracious Providence.
Although there were taints of idolatry in Te'rah's family and in the households of some of his descendants, there were also striking examples of loyalty to the True God worshipped by A'bra-ham, and Re-bek'ah may be counted as one of those who was most faithful. We shall learn more of this sublime truth in future chapters,
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