Today Abraham is dated, well-advanced during the decades; plus the LORD had privileged Abraham in most one thing. Therefore Abraham considered the latest oldest slave from his household, just who governed overall that he had, “Delight, put your give less than my personal leg, and that i can make you swear from the LORD, the brand new Goodness regarding paradise in addition to Goodness of your environment, that you will not simply take a girlfriend getting my kid from brand new dong whom I live; however you will head to my nation in order to my loved ones, and take a wife for my boy Isaac” (Genesis twenty four:1-4).
The old son had a couple of gold bracelets and you will a band, presents to have a lady he did not understand. Camels observed him having food and gear to your excursion and you can with several gifts. These people were designed for some one way of life someplace in Haran in which Terah got settled. Abraham insisted that their guy marry somebody of his very own some one rather than a beneficial Canaanite girl. That is why he delivered their trusted servant to find a wife out of Terah’s nearest and dearest (Gen. -24). Abraham believed the fresh servant manage discover a bride inside Haran due to the fact Jesus “will be sending His angel along with you and do well the right path” (Gen. ). Therefore, the existing gentleman try into the a goal of believe-Abraham’s trust.
(Note so you’re able to readers: Of many commentaries, for example Nelson’s cited throughout the footnote, believe this new servant’s name’s Eliezer “on account of their highest reputation overall one to Abraham had.” I will occasionally use the identity Eliezer in the referring to this new slave.)
When Eliezer arrived in Mesopotamia, the guy eliminated at well from Nahor where Terah’s some one have a glimpse at the website lived. The old man prayed to have instantaneous triumph in finding just the right girl getting Isaac. He expected one she be identified by three signs: she would reach the better for drinking water; when he expected her getting a drink she’d provide it with so you’re able to your; and you can she would render in order to h2o the newest camels. Quickly, stunning Rebekah featured at the well, occupied the woman pitcher, offered him a glass or two and you will received liquid with the camels. If it were not enough cause of contentment, Rebekah told you she is actually associated with Abraham’s aunt Nahor. Aside appeared brand new bracelets and the nose-ring.
Like are not often the explanation for an arranged relationship
Eliezer know she was the solution to prayer. Jesus got divinely designated Rebekah since girl required having Isaac. So he “put the nose ring on her nostrils plus the necklaces towards the her arms…and you will worshipped the lord” (Gen. -48). Inside bestowing the fresh jewellery, Eliezer advertised Rebekah to own Isaac. Into the accepting this new jewelry, she welcome Eliezer to the touch her arms and face-she was happy to just do it. She “went and you can told her mom’s house these materials” (Gen. ). Rebekah’s looking before them sporting necklaces and you may nose-ring opened the latest way for Eliezer to meet the woman friends and recommend relationships. Shortly after hearing brand new servant’s superior story, Rebekah’s father and aunt decided that this “comes from god…allow her to become your master’s son’s wife, just like the LORD enjoys spoken” (Gen. -51). Try she enough time at this point? Not even, though visitors first started restaurants, ingesting, and becoming when the she were.
As the talks is positive, Eliezer showed mohar, a present on category of the new groom for the parents of fiance. It had been traditionally provided to new bride’s dad if the mothers gave their say yes to the wedding. Mohar is when it comes to money, home, precious jewelry, clothing or something “precious” (Gen. ). Mohar got some a feeling of getting mandatory and you can expressed the brand new legal aspects out of an arranged marriage. It absolutely was thought to make up brand new bride’s family on her behalf losses. Certain dads leftover its daughter’s mohar once the insurance coverage however, if she is actually widowed or divorced. When you look at the Rebekah’s case, Eliezer offered beloved what to the girl sister Laban also to this lady mom. The new Bible will not talk about as to why Bethuel, the daddy, failed to receive mohar, whether or not he performed offer permission with the matrimony (Gen.).
Like was not a factor that Eliezer and you may Laban chatted about inside the wedding offer
Preparations got collaborate easily. Eliezer gave Rebekah carefully selected presents on groom into bride called mattan. Mattan could well be bucks or property or something from a personal characteristics, “precious jewelry regarding silver, accessories away from silver, and you will outfits” (Gen. ). Mattan try a volunteer warranty of one’s groom’s individual need for his bride to be. Isaac is an abundant boy (Gen. -36) with his mattan should have become sumptuous-red linens, superb jewelry, padded fabrics, silver and gold trinkets, fragrances-that which you to contentment Rebekah’s cardiovascular system. Are she invested in relationships now that mattan had been administered?
Not quite. New adult arrangements for marriage and also the replace out-of gifts ’s the reason day could buy the spouses. In the event that a person advised and gave merchandise to an excellent girl’s father, did she have state in the count? Daughters and you can sons was basically considerably according to the authority of their fathers. Jewish methods, not, made it obvious you to a girlfriend must consent to be married. “New advice one Israelites was necessary to get their spouses off mom and dad otherwise friends appears unfounded.” Rebekah is actually in the long run wanted the girl agree when Eliezer packed up toward get back excursion.
A last round out of provide-offering happened when Rebekah departed. The household anticipate Rebekah’s nurse and you will maids to leave Haran and you will suffice this lady into the Isaac’s household.
Don’t assume all son you are going to pay the money Isaac produced in procuring a spouse. “It can certainly be expected that mohar are going to be proportioned until of bride hence a bad son cannot on that account be able to . ). Isaac and you will Rebekah’s man Jacob, including, reduced his Buddy Laban inside the work for the latest advantage of marrying Rachel. The relationship among them guys had out to a detrimental initiate because of Laban’s deceit, also it didn’t raise historically. Whenever Jacob ily, there is certainly no shilichin, no pleased separating gifts.
ily, property and you will associations. Brand new transactions, replace regarding gifts, agree of the bride to be, wedding celebration, and blessings into the departing bride kept this new title of the friends. Yet not, with Divine chemistry at the job, Isaac and you will Rebekah began to love both the day it came across (Gen. -67).-Mary Hendren
