“And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.”
This verse is part of the narrative about Abraham’s servant who was sent to find a wife for Isaac, Abraham’s son. Let’s explore the context and the significance of this verse in the larger story.
The story begins in Genesis 24 when Abraham, who was getting old, was concerned about finding a suitable wife for his son Isaac. He didn’t want Isaac to marry a Canaanite woman, but rather someone from his own people and his homeland. Abraham entrusted this task to his oldest servant, who is unnamed in the text but is commonly believed to be Eliezer of Damascus.
In Genesis 24:10-11, the servant embarked on his journey to find a wife for Isaac. He took ten of Abraham’s camels loaded with valuable gifts and traveled to the city of Nahor. When he arrived, he made his camels kneel down near a well outside the city during the evening, at the time when women traditionally came out to draw water.
This act of making the camels kneel down by the well was a practical one. Camels are large animals, and it was customary to provide them with a resting place while they were being watered. Making the camels kneel also made it easier for the women who came to draw water to access it from the well.
However, this action goes beyond practicality. The servant’s choice to position the camels by the well during the evening when women typically came to draw water was strategic. He was looking for a specific sign from God to guide him in finding the right woman for Isaac.
In the subsequent verses (Genesis 24:12-14), the servant prayed to God, asking for a specific sign. He asked that the woman who would fulfill his request for a drink of water, as well as offer to water his camels, would be the one chosen by God as Isaac’s wife. This request was a significant test because watering ten camels required a considerable amount of effort.
The servant’s prayer was answered when Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel, came to the well and fulfilled the servant’s request. Her act of kindness and generosity towards a stranger, along with her willingness to go the extra mile by watering the camels, indicated her character and suitability as a wife for Isaac. This confirmation led the servant to praise God for His faithfulness and guidance in fulfilling his mission.
Genesis 24:11, therefore, sets the stage for the miraculous encounter between the servant and Rebekah, which ultimately leads to Isaac’s marriage. It highlights the servant’s wisdom and reliance on God’s guidance as he positions himself strategically at the well to find the woman God had chosen.
Overall, this verse emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s guidance in our lives and the role faith plays in our decision-making processes. It demonstrates how God can orchestrate events in seemingly ordinary circumstances to fulfill His plans and purposes.
