Last night at our mens Bible study, we came to Genesis chapter 24, the account of Abraham’s servant sent to find a wife for Isaac, Abraham’s son. It’s a fascinating story of a daunting challenge for the servant, who might have been Eliezer, the chief servant mentioned earlier in Genesis. Basically it was this:

“Do not let my son Isaac marry one of these local girls. Instead, I want you to travel hundreds of miles to a city you don’t know. There I want you to find a willing virgin, who, by the way must be from my own clan, and persuade her and her family to let her go to a foreign land to marry a man they’ve never met.”

So Eliezer loads up some camels with gifts and heads out with a few of his men, back to the homeland Abraham had left decades before. I’m guessing he had a lot on his mind on that long journey. “How will I know when I’m in the right place? Where should I look for a young, single woman? How will I know if she’s part of Abraham’s clan? Will anyone remember old uncle Abram?”

Arriving at the place, Eliezer stops near a well. He and his guys and their camels are all thirsty, but before he drinks, he prays. “Lord, please help me fulfill this task, give me success in what my master has sent me to accomplish.” Then he gets very specific. “Let me meet a suitable young woman. And so I know that she’s the right one, let her, when I ask her for a drink, not only give me a drink, but offer to water the ten camels I have.” According to people who know camels, each one was capable of drinking about twenty gallons of water. That would require multiple trips from the well to the watering trough.

The Bible then says, “Before he had finished speaking, behold Rebekah…” Eliezer had hardly got to “Amen” when a young woman shows up. He runs to her, asks for a drink, gets it, and she says she’ll water his camels too. Certainly not every prayer is answered this quickly, but the fact that this one is gives me great confidence in the God who answers the prayers of his people.

Eliezer’s next challenge is to determine Rebekah’s family line; who’s her kin? He gives her an elaborate gift of gold, a ring and bracelets. Then he boldly asks to stay at her family home. Rebekah tells him who her folks are, and the servant of Abraham bows to thank the Lord for his success so far.

They get to the house, and the family puts on a spread for Eliezer and his men (and camels too). But he refuses to eat until he’s told his tale to Rebekah and her family, and asks them to agree to let her go to be the wife of Abraham’s son. Can you imagine? At their table is a stranger they’ve never met, claiming to be the servant of a rich uncle, who wants to take beautiful Rebekah away forever, and they have to say yes or no right now. Surprisingly, they agree. They agree because it is apparent to them that this is the Lord’s doing. Eliezer heaps gifts on Rebekah’s family and bows again before the Lord in thanksgiving. Then they tucked in to what must have been a sumptuous meal.

The next morning, the family shows a little reluctance, “Let Rebekah stay a few more days.” they say. But Eliezer will not be deterred, setting his face toward the land of Canaan, they head out. As they approach their destination, Isaac is out in the field meditating (praying?). Just like in the movies, Isaac and Rebekah spy each other from a distance, and it’s love at first sight. He takes her home to be his wife, as he assumes the role of head of household, taking over from his father, Abraham, control of the family fortune.

But, of course, Isaac and Rebekah assume an even more important role. They are now the family through whom all the nations will be blessed. They are now the key players in God’s drama of redemption.

I wonder how Eliezer slept on the night he arrived home, having faithfully and successfully served his master. My guess is that he slept very well. Mission Impossible completed.