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Isaac’s Marriage: The Happiest in the Bible
101
If a young woman could not be found who would leave her home
and family, then the messenger would be released from his oath.
Abraham encouraged him with the assurance that God would crown
his mission with success. “The Lord God of heaven,” he said, “who
took me from my father’s house and from the land of my family ...
[77]
He will send His angel before you.”
The messenger set out without delay. Taking ten camels for his
own attendants and the bridal party that might return with him as
well as gifts for the intended wife and friends, he made the long
journey beyond Damascus to the plains that border on the Euphrates,
the great river of the East.
When he arrived at Haran, “the city of Nahor,” he stopped outside
the walls near the well where the women came at evening for water.
His thoughts troubled him. Far-reaching results, not only to his
master’s household but to future generations, might follow from the
choice he made. Remembering that God would send His angel with
him, he prayed for clear guidance. In his master’s family he was
accustomed to constant kindness and hospitality, and now he asked
that an act of courtesy might indicate the maiden whom God had
chosen.
Hardly had he uttered the prayer before the answer was given.
Among the women at the well, the courteous manners of one at-
tracted his attention. As she came from the well, the stranger went
to meet her, asking for some water from the pitcher on her shoulder.
The request received a kind answer, and she offered to draw water
for the camels also.
Thus the sign that he had asked for was given. The young
woman “was very beautiful to behold,” and her prompt courtesy
gave evidence of a kind heart and an active, energetic nature. So
far the divine hand had been with him. The messenger asked whose
daughter she was, and when he learned that her father was Bethuel,
Abraham’s nephew, he “bowed down his head, and worshiped the
Lord.”
The man told the young woman about his connection with Abra-
ham. Returning home, she told what had happened, and Laban, her
brother, at once hurried to bring the stranger to share their hospitality.
Eliezer would not eat any food until he had told them about his
errand, his prayer at the well, and all the circumstances that went