Just as AMERICAN IDOL spawned a genre of TV talent contests, the BACHELOR birthed a litter of marriage contests. What traits are these contestants looking for in the opposite sex? Appearance, chemistry, and a sense of humor probably top the list, along with ambition, success, and money.
Abraham and Isaac looked at marriage differently. Abraham sent his servant to find a bride for Isaac. The requirement? She must be connected to Abraham’s family and culture, not one of the local idol worshippers. And 40-year-old Isaac? He said nothing. He had enough faith to leave the matter in the hands of his father and his father’s servant.
The servant had to make the choice. But how? He prayed.
“Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. … Let the girl to whom I say, ‘Please lower your water jug so that I may drink,’ and who responds, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels also’—let her be the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac” Genesis 24:12-14.
Rebekah showed up while the servant was still praying, and she offered to water his camels. And the servant had TEN camels!
Ancient wells were different. “There was no rope … Rebekah would walk down a few stairs, bend over to fill her jar, lift the heavy jar onto her shoulder, walk back up the stairs, and dump the water in the feeding trough. 60 TIMES! Rebekah would have seen the 10 camels and known the heavy lifting required to water them.”[1]
Was she pretty? Yes. Was she a virgin? Yes. Was she from Abraham’s family? Yes. But the trait the servant was looking for was SERVANTHOOD. This man who ran Abraham’s household understood family: it’s a lot of hard work! Jobs, preparing meals, laundry, repairs, sick children, paying bills, cleaning house, and on and on. FAMILY IS HARD WORK.
Look for a spouse who is hard-working and SELFLESS.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 