Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, "The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good. Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the Lord hath spoken."
And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth unto the Lord. And the servant brought forth jewels of silver and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things. And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, "Send me away unto my master."
And her brother and her mother said, "Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go."
And he said unto them, "Hinder me not, seeing the Lord hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master."
And they said, "We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth."
And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, "Wilt thou go with this man?"
And she said, "I will go."
And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men. And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, "Our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them."
And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
D. THE MARRIAGE
And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, there were camels coming.
And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. And she said unto the servant, "What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us?"
And the servant said, "It is my master." And she took her veil, and covered herself.
And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.
THE MEANING OF THE STORY
21. What promise had been made repeatedly to Abraham? But he had grown old and was still without a son. Yet the Lord repeated the promise and Abraham believed. At last to his great joy the son was born. It makes a man's life strong to believe that God will fulfil his promise. Faith and goodness are very near together (Gen. 15:6). A good boy believes his parents: surely he can believe God.
22 (§8A). In order to understand this story we must consider a strange and fearful custom of the old times. Read II Kings 3:26, 27, and note the awful sacrifice that a king, who was seeking help, made to his heathen god. The ancients felt that God ought to have the best that man has. They had not learned that he is loving and good, wishing our best to be given to him in loving service and not killed in sacrifice.
23 (§8A). Abraham knew that it was the custom of his neighbors to show their loyalty to their gods by killing their oldest sons. He was most anxious to do what God would wish, so what would he naturally think that he ought to do? Is a man wicked if he does what he thinks is right? But if he is pure in his motive and is very anxious to know what is right, he will often come to the truth. This story shows how God led Abraham to know what he really wanted of him.
24 (§8). It is a very striking story. Picture the scenes: (1) The long journey: who went? (2) Abraham and Isaac alone: what did Isaac ask? What was Abraham's confidence in God? (3) The preparation for the sacrifice. (4) The wonderful interference: what did this teach Abraham? What was the promise that was repeated?
25 (§8). Men have often used wrong methods, thinking to please God. What did the Puritans do to the witches? But the Puritans were good men, anxious to do right, and they soon learned that they had been wrong. It is not enough for us to be willing to do right. We must try hard to find out what is right.
26 (§9A). This section is a long one, but is full of interest and need not detain us for special study. It is the charming story of an old-time wooing. Parents often arranged the marriages of their children in those days as they do in many countries to-day. Abraham had a trusted servant who managed his business for him. What did he ask the servant to promise?
27 (§9B). Mesopotamia means "between the rivers." Locate it between the two rivers of Abraham's old country. Recall Abraham's journey (5, 6, §2) and trace the servant's journey.
28 (§9B). Tell the story of the meeting with Rebekah.
29 (§9C). Tell the story of the betrothal. Notice that the betrothal took place although Isaac was not there.
30 (§9D). Tell the story of the marriage.
WRITTEN REVIEW
We have finished the study of the "Father of the Faithful." He was a man who trusted God. Think over all that you have learned about him and write down in your notebook two or three ways in which you think that he showed his trust in God. Think whether there is any way in which you would be willing to trust God.
JACOB-ISRAEL
| IV. | Jacob, the Clever |
| V. | Israel, the Godly |
IV. JACOB, THE CLEVER
THE STORY
§10. The Purchase of the Birthright (Gen. 25:25-34)
Isaac and Rebekah had two sons who were twins. The first was red, all over like a hairy garment; and they called his name Esau, and the name of his brother was called Jacob.
And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. Now Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: and Rebekah loved Jacob.
And Jacob boiled pottage: and Esau came in from the field, and he was faint: and Esau said to Jacob, "Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint."
And Jacob said, "Sell me this day thy birthright."
And