Finding a wife for Isaac. Part 3: Guidance

Abraham's servant was told to find Isaac's wife from his family (Genesis 24:4).  “He will send His angel before you” (verse 7). Now in the right location, He waited at the well outside the city of Nahor,   praying that if the woman who came to the well was the right one,     that when he asked her for a drink she would not only give it to him,  but would also water his camels without being asked. Almost immediately the woman  Rebekah comes and does  exactly what he had asked the Lord for her to do. Receiving this confirmation  the servant gives her a golden earring and golden bracelets. As further confirmation,  she tells him she is  the daughter of Abraham's nephew Bethuel. The servant is then invited him to  with the family, and he blesses the Lord saying “As for me, being on the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren” (verses 10-27).

Clearly the angel of the Lord had guided the servant. It was no coincidence that Rebekah was the first woman to arrive at the well, that she did as the servant had requested God that she would do and that, as Abraham had required,  she was indeed part of his family. A friend of mine says coincidences are little miracles that God does not get the credit for. It's a cute saying,  but the enemy can cause coincidences too. For that reason, it is important to note that the servant was “being on the way.” We are talking here of faith and obedience. When we step out in obedience we need to have more faith that God can guide us than the Devil has to deceive us.  The servant's prayer was not unreasonable, a positive answer would say something about her character (see last day's post), and he was not asking for the earth to swallow her up if she was the wrong one!

When asking the Lord for guidance the Bible is a primary source, but there are some things for which there is no specific verse. There is no text that told the servant Rebekah is the one. On the other hand,  in terms of marriage for the believer,  the Bible tells us clearly “only in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39).  After that which believer, which job, which house etc., requires something more.

 Isaiah 30:21 essential says  that being on the way, i.e when you walk in the way “you will hear a voice behind you saying this is the way walk in it.” In other words it's confirmation. The servant is following his masters directions, and we would do well,  in making important decisions,  to follow the council of  other believers. Danny Silk (Bethel Church, Redding,  California) has a premarital conciliating course that's available on DVD. He tells that after taking it some decide to go ahead, some to wait and some, now sensing disaster,  decide not to marry at all. The point is that it is in the process of  doing these things (walking in the way), the the confirmation is received.  

Father, for me seeking You in prayer, asking for wisdom (James 1:5), talking to those whose opinions I respect, these are all ingredients in making important decisions. But I also need Your peace,  and time after time as I have engaged in  the process I have heard You words of confirmation. For this and many other things I give You thanks and praise again this morning in Jesus Name Amen