Wayfinding Bible - Flipbook - Page 44
38
Genesis 24
PG 36
DIRECT
PG 36
SCENIC
25:19-34
25:19-34
14
18
BIRTHS AND BIRTHRIGHTS
Isaac married Rebekah, but, just like his parents, they are unable to have children. His mother Sarah had waited for 25 years before she gave birth to him.
Now he and his wife Rebekah wait for 20 years. Once again God intervenes by
his power, and Rebekah becomes pregnant, this time with twins. But even before
she gives birth, there are signs that conflict is looming.
you and will make your mission successful. Yes,
you must find a wife for my son from among my
relatives, from my father’s family. 41 Then you
will have fulfilled your obligation. But if you go
to my relatives and they refuse to let her go with
you, you will be free from my oath.’
42
“So today when I came to the spring, I
prayed this prayer: ‘O Lord, God of my master, Abraham, please give me success on this
mission. 43 See, I am standing here beside this
spring. This is my request. When a young
woman comes to draw water, I will say to her,
“Please give me a little drink of water from
your jug.” 44 If she says, “Yes, have a drink, and
I will draw water for your camels, too,” let her
be the one you have selected to be the wife of
my master’s son.’
45
“Before I had finished praying in my heart,
I saw Rebekah coming out with her water jug
on her shoulder. She went down to the spring
and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please give
me a drink.’ 46 She quickly lowered her jug from
her shoulder and said, ‘Yes, have a drink, and
I will water your camels, too!’ So I drank, and
then she watered the camels.
47
“Then I asked, ‘Whose daughter are you?’
She replied, ‘I am the daughter of Bethuel, and
my g
randparents are Nahor and Milcah.’ So I
put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on
her wrists.
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“Then I bowed low and worshiped the
Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master,
Abraham, because he had led me straight to
my master’s niece to be his son’s wife. 49 So tell
me—will you or won’t you show unfailing love
and faithfulness to my master? Please tell me
yes or no, and then I’ll know what to do next.”
50
Then Laban and Bethuel replied, “The
Lord has obviously brought you here, so there
is nothing we can say. 51 Here is Rebekah; take
her and go. Yes, let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed.”
52
When Abraham’s servant heard their answer, he bowed down to the ground and worshiped the Lord. 53 Then he brought out silver
and gold jewelry and clothing and p
resented
them to Rebekah. He also gave expensive
presents to her brother and mother. 54 Then
they ate their meal, and the servant and the
men with him stayed there overnight.
But early the next morning, Abraham’s servant said, “Send me back to my master.”
55
“But we want Rebekah to stay with us at
least ten days,” her brother and mother said.
“Then she can go.”
56
But he said, “Don’t delay me. The Lord
has made my mission successful; now send
me back so I can return to my master.”
57
“Well,” they said, “we’ll call Rebekah and
ask her what she thinks.” 58 So they called Re
bekah. “Are you willing to go with this man?”
they asked her.
And she replied, “Yes, I will go.”
59
So they said good-bye to Rebekah and sent
her away with Abraham’s servant and his men.
The woman who had been Rebekah’s childhood nurse went along with her. 60 They gave
her this blessing as she parted:
“Our sister, may you become
the mother of many millions!
May your descendants be strong
and conquer the cities of their enemies.”
Then Rebekah and her servant girls mounted
the camels and followed the man. So Abraham’s
servant took Rebekah and went on his way.
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Meanwhile, Isaac, whose home was in the
Negev, had returned from Beer-lahai-roi. 63 One
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