Genesis chapter 24

After reading chapter 24:

*Abraham is getting old, so he makes his chief servant swear he will see Isaac gets a wife from among Abraham's relatives, not the Canaanites. Isaac is not to go back to Abraham's homeland himself because he must maintain a presence in Canaan to insure that God's promise to give him the land is not annulled. The servant swears the oath while putting his hand under Abraham's "thigh." The study bible politely informs us that thigh is an euphamism for the organ of procreation.

* So, the servant takes his camels and travels to the land of Abraham's relatives in Mesopotamia. He prays to Yahweh, Abraham's God, for success in finding a wife for Isaac. In spite of the forced circumcision, Abraham's God must not be the servant's god. The servant asks God to show him who  will marry Isaac by having one of the girls who is coming to draw water from the well offer him and his camels a drink.

*He had immediate results.  A beautiful virgin offered him and his camel some water. The servant gave her some gold jewelry.  She came from the right family, and they had room for him to stay with them. Then the servant bowed down and worshipped Abraham's God for such speedy service.

*The girl ran home to tell her family. Her brother, who had seen the gold, went to fetch Abraham's servant and provide everything he needed. Before he ate,  the servant insisted on telling the whole story of why he was there and how he had prayed when he got to the well. Rebekah's brother and father are sure it must be Yahweh's doing, so they say sure, take her away. The servant then showers them with gifts.

*The next morning, Abraham's servant is ready to leave. The  family is not in a hurry, but they decide to ask Rebekah what she wants to do. She's willing to go, so they send her off with blessings. When they get back, Isaac and Rebekah are married, and Isaac is comforted after the death of his mother.