The custom in that day...
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The custom in that day was for the parents to select a mate for their son or daughter. It was important that the woman's family know that her prospective groom was well healed. Isaac was well off now and even better off when his folks died. That was the practice back then in Abraham's time. It is still the practice in several countries today. One of the reasons some converted to the faith in Nepal was to avoid that. One of our members, a cute girl in her late teens told me, "I married for love!" She was very excited about it. We visited India while we were in Nepal and met a couple who were just married. They met for the first time on their wedding day. Their parents did a good job picking. They both had graduate degrees and were excitedly telling each other about the subjects in which they majored. It was more important that they both came from the same faith background than if they were rich or poor, though that was a factor.
I like the way the manservant asked the Lord to solve his problem of finding a mate for Isaac. It saved him a lot of time! He just hung around by the well until he found a girl who was humble and obedient and even went beyond his request for a glass of water. She even watered his camels -- which was quite a job! He checked her lineage next. That gave Rebekah her other job. Now, all the manservant had to do was go and get the family to agree. Once that was done and Rebekah agreed, they were on their way.
As soon as he was sure he had the right one and that she had agreed to the match, the manservant put the bridal jewelry on her including a nose ring. It was something like an engagement ring today. And off they went.
It was good that that servant first turned to thank God for that quick answer to his prayer. Good advice for all of us. Thank God first! But he was still not sure and asked the Lord to reassure him before he took off. We all have those moments when we think we are sure but just want to make absolutely sure. That is one thing with which our church can help.
Rebekah and Isaac didn't recognize each other, but when they learned who each other were, it says they went into his tent. It never says if there was anyone in the tent who conducted a ceremony, but when they came out, they were married. Whatever happened inside was up to God.
I like the way the manservant asked the Lord to solve his problem of finding a mate for Isaac. It saved him a lot of time! He just hung around by the well until he found a girl who was humble and obedient and even went beyond his request for a glass of water. She even watered his camels -- which was quite a job! He checked her lineage next. That gave Rebekah her other job. Now, all the manservant had to do was go and get the family to agree. Once that was done and Rebekah agreed, they were on their way.
As soon as he was sure he had the right one and that she had agreed to the match, the manservant put the bridal jewelry on her including a nose ring. It was something like an engagement ring today. And off they went.
It was good that that servant first turned to thank God for that quick answer to his prayer. Good advice for all of us. Thank God first! But he was still not sure and asked the Lord to reassure him before he took off. We all have those moments when we think we are sure but just want to make absolutely sure. That is one thing with which our church can help.
Rebekah and Isaac didn't recognize each other, but when they learned who each other were, it says they went into his tent. It never says if there was anyone in the tent who conducted a ceremony, but when they came out, they were married. Whatever happened inside was up to God.
