God blessed Abraham in every way. He blessed him with great herds of sheep and cattle, camels and donkeys; tents filled with treasures of silver and gold, and servants to take care of it all.
But it wasnt all that stuff that made Abraham rich.
Abraham knew that everything he had was a blessing from God.
When Abraham woke up each morning, he remembered that God was with him, and that God loved him so much.
Thats what made Abraham truly rich.
What a blessing it is to know that God loves you!
But Abraham was getting old.
His son Isaac was getting older too. And so one day Abraham sent for his most trusted servant.
Make an oath with me, Abraham said to his servant, Promise me that you will find a wife for my son Isaac. But you must not find her here. Promise me that you will go to the land where I was born and find a wife for my son Isaac there.
But Abrahams servant said, What if she wont come with me? Shall I take Isaac back to live with her there?
No, Abraham said, God brought me from my fathers house and gave me this land. God will send his angel to help you find a wife for Isaac from among our people, but you must not take my son Isaac back there.
And so Abrahams servant took ten camels and piled them high with treasures from Abrahams house. When all was ready he took his men and set out for the land where Abraham was born.
It was getting towards evening when he came to the town of Nahor.
There was a well outside the town, and Abrahams servant made his camels kneel there, beside the well.
Then he prayed, God of my master Abraham, be kind to my master today! Help me find a wife for his son Isaac. Look, the daughters of the townspeople are coming to get water. I will ask one of them for a drink. If she says, Please, drink, and I will water your camels too, then I will know that she is the one you have chosen.
Before he had even finished praying, Rebekah came out to the well with a large clay jar on her shoulder. She was very beautiful.
Rebekah went down to the spring and filled her jar with water.
Abrahams servant hurried to meet her. He said to her, Please give me a little water from your jar.
Drink, my lord, Rebekah said, and quickly she lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.
And then she said, I will draw water for your camels too. So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels. Abrahams servant watched her without saying a word.
Was this the one God had chosen to be Isaacs wife?
When the camels had finished drinking, Abrahams servant asked, Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your fathers house for us to spend the night?
Rebekah answered, I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Nahor. Nahor was Abrahams brother! She was one of Abrahams own people, just as Abraham had asked. We have plenty of straw and fodder, as well as room for you to spend the night, she said.
Abrahams servant bowed down to the ground and worshiped the LORD. Praise be to the LORD, the God of my master Abraham! He has smiled on my servant Abraham this day. He has guided me on my journey and led me to the house of my masters relatives.
And then he gave Rebekah heavy gold bracelets for her arms and a golden ring for her nose.
Rebekah ran back to her mothers house.
When Rebekahs brother Laban heard Rebekahs story, and saw the gold ring and the golden bracelets, he ran out to the stranger at the well.
Why are you waiting out here! Laban said. Come to my fathers house, you who are blessed by the Lord! I have prepared a place for you, and for your camels too.
The camels were unloaded and straw was brought for them to eat. Laban brought water for Abraham servant and his men to wash their feet. And then he brought a delicious meal and set it before them.
I cannot eat until I tell you why I am here. Abrahams servant said.
Please, tell us, Laban said.
Abrahams servant told Laban and his family the whole story.
Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out, with her jar on her shoulder. She gave me water to drink, just as I had prayed. So, please, tell me, is she the one for my masters son Isaac?
Rebekahs father answered, This is from the LORD! Here is my daughter; take her with you, and let her become the wife of your masters son.
When Abrahams servant heard this, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD. Then he brought out more gold and silver jewelry and other costly gifts and gave them to Rebekah. And he gave treasures to her brother and to her mother also.
The next morning Rebekah's father asked her, Will you go with this man?
I will go, she said.
And so they sent Rebekah on her way. They blessed her and said to her,
Our sister, may you increase
to thousands upon thousands;
may your offspring possess
the gates of their enemies.
One evening some time later, Isaac was out in the field meditating when he heard the sound of camels approaching.
He looked up. At that moment Rebekah also looked up, and their eyes met.
Who is that man in the field coming to meet us? Rebekah asked Abrahams servant.
He is my master, the servant answered.
Isaac ran up to the travelers, and Abrahams servant told him all that had happened.
Isaac took Rebekah by the hand, and soon after she became his wife.
God had brought the two together, and they loved each other deeply.
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