Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
So he said, ‘I am Abraham’s servant. The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become wealthy; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels and donkeys. And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and he has given him all that he has. My master made me swear, saying, “You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live; but you shall go to my father’s house, to my kindred, and get a wife for my son.”
‘I came today to the spring, and said, “O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, if now you will only make successful the way I am going! I am standing here by the spring of water; let the young woman who comes out to draw, to whom I shall say, ‘Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,’ and who will say to me, ‘Drink, and I will draw for your camels also’—let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.”
‘Before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her water-jar on her shoulder; and she went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, “Please let me drink.” She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder, and said, “Drink, and I will also water your camels.” So I drank, and she also watered the camels. Then I asked her, “Whose daughter are you?” She said, “The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.” So I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her arms. Then I bowed my head and worshipped the Lord, and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to obtain the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. Now then, if you will deal loyally and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so that I may turn either to the right hand or to the left.’ And they called Rebekah, and said to her, ‘Will you go with this man?’ She said, ‘I will.’ So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse along with Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,
‘May you, our sister, become
thousands of myriads;
may your offspring gain possession
of the gates of their foes.’
Then Rebekah and her maids rose up, mounted the camels, and followed the man; thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
Now Isaac had come from Beer-lahai-roi, and was settled in the Negeb. Isaac went out in the evening to walk in the field; and looking up, he saw camels coming. And Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she slipped quickly from the camel, and said to the servant, ‘Who is the man over there, walking in the field to meet us?’ The servant said, ‘It is my master.’ So she took her veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
Reflection
Here we have God active. God is active in the actions of the people. We have faith. Faith that the people of this passage put into real action. A servant goes to a land away from his residence to find a wife for his master's son. The servant goes in faith. Upon arrival the servant stops to pray. Can't you just imagine? Now what? I'm here, but how am I supposed to find the right person? I have no idea!
Yet, in faith the servant waits. And Rebekah shows at the well. Willing to water the servants camels. He had a lot of camels! This could take all day. Really! That request would take a strong arm to fulfill. But Rebekah in faith and action offered to do the work of watering the camels. God surely was active in this passage. God was active in these people.
So the servant greets Rebekah and gifts her with the jewelry he was sent to give. Jewelry that Rebekah's family would notice. But first the servant worshipped God for answering his prayer. Yes, the servant noticed an answer and paused to worship rather that hurry on to the family. God active in the faith of the servant. God active in worship.
Rebekah at this point takes on the faith of Abraham. Will she leave her home country and wander far away in the faith that God will lead and guide her. Yes, she does! God active in the great faith of Rebekah. And then the return to Abraham and Isaac.
Abraham and Isaac were mourning the death of their wife and mother, Sarah. In faith and hope they had waited. Waited for the continuation of God's Chosen People in the lives of God's faithful people in a new generation. Yes the faith of Abraham, the servant, Rebekah, Rebekah's family and Isaac; all evident in the love of God in this scene of faith and action played out in the combined lives... the corporate lives of so many people.
Isn't this how God acts in the Church today. God acts out faith and love and service and action through the lives of his faithful servants. God acts in the lives of the people. God uses and builds the trust and hope and faith of people both individual and corporately in love. God brings people together and then shows them God's love through the life of Jesus. God gifts the people and the Church with the Holy Spirit and encourages all to show his love to God and to one another.
In some way or another we are all a "Bible Story." Yes, we are all part of God's plan if we but have the faith that God gives to each of us.
Will you choose to be part of your own "Bible Story?" Or will you run from the love of God?
Life is in the balance. The journey may seem strange. You may go places you may not want to go but you may live so much more than you could ever imagine.
Here we have God active. God is active in the actions of the people.
Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbNK50T35wY
Prayer
Lord, as I live this life you have given me, may I go when you want me to go and stay when you want me to stay. May my actions show the faith and trust I have in you. For I know you will be with me always, no matter where I go and no matter where I stay... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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