Chapter 12—Isaac
The Canaanites were idolaters, and the Lord had commanded that
his people should not intermarry with them, lest they should be led
into idolatry. Abraham was old, and he expected soon to die. Isaac
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was yet unmarried. Abraham was afraid of the corrupting influence
surrounding Isaac, and was anxious to have a wife selected for him
who would not lead him from God. He committed this matter to his
faithful, experienced servant who ruled over all that he had. Abraham
required his servant to make a solemn oath to him before the Lord,
that he would not take a wife for Isaac of the Canaanites, but that he
would go unto Abraham’s kindred, who believed in the true God, and
select a wife for Isaac. He charged him to beware, and not take Isaac
to the country from whence he came, for they were nearly all affected
with idolatry. If he could not find a wife for Isaac who would leave
her kindred, and come where he was, then he should be clear of the
oath which he had made.
This important matter was not left with Isaac, for him to select for
himself, independent of his father. Abraham tells his servant that God
will send his angel before him to direct him in his choice. The servant,
to whom this mission was entrusted, started on his long journey. As he
entered the city, where Abraham’s kindred dwelt, he prayed earnestly
to God to direct him in his choice of a wife for Isaac. He asked that
certain evidence might be given him, that he should not err in the
matter. He rested by a well which was a place of the greatest gathering.
Here he particularly noticed the engaging manners, and courteous
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conduct of Rebekah, and all the evidence he has asked of God he
receives that Rebekah is the one whom God has been pleased to select
to become Isaac’s wife. She invites the servant to her father’s house.
He then relates to Rebekah’s father, and her brother, the evidences he
has received from the Lord, that Rebekah should become the wife of
his master’s son, Isaac. Abraham’s servant then said to them, “And
now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me; and if
not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.” The father
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