A few years after Sarah passed, Abraham aged gracefully. His hair silvered, yet his eyes still held the fire of promise. The Lord had blessed him in every way-flocks, herds, servants, and sons. But one thing remained undone: his son, Isaac, had no wife.
One morning, Abraham summoned his most trusted servant, the elder of his house, the steward of all his wealth. Abraham looked upon him with solemn eyes and said, "Place your hand beneath my thigh and swear to me-by the Lord, the God of heaven and earth-that you will not take a wife for my son from among the Canaanites, whose land we dwell in."
The servant bowed. "Where shall I go, my lord?"
"To my homeland," Abraham said. "To my kin. There, you shall find a wife for Isaac."
The servant hesitated. "But if the woman will not follow me back to this land... shall I then bring your son to her?"
Abraham's voice sharpened. "No. Do not take Isaac back. The Lord who called me out from my father's house-He will send His angel ahead of you. If the woman will not come, you are free from the oath. But do not take my son from this land of promise."
So the servant made the vow.
With ten camels and treasures in his charge, he journeyed north to Aram Naharaim, to the town of Nahor. There, as evening fell and the women came to draw water from the well, he had the camels kneel and bowed his head to pray.
"O Lord, God of my master Abraham," he whispered, "grant me success today. Let the girl who offers me water-and offers also to water my camels-let her be the one You have chosen for Isaac."
Even before the final word left his lips, a young woman appeared at the well. Her name was Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel, of Abraham's own kin. She was radiant-graceful and untouched, with eyes like clear springs and strength in her step.
The servant hurried to meet her. "Please, may I have a little water from your jar?"
She smiled and lowered the jug. "Drink, my lord."
Then, unprompted, she added, "I will draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking."
The servant watched, marveling in silence as she worked. When the camels were satisfied, he stepped forward and placed a gold ring upon her nose and bracelets on her arms.
"Whose daughter are you?" he asked.
"I am Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel, son of Milcah, wife of Nahor," she replied. "And yes, there is room at our home for you to stay."
The servant fell to his knees and worshiped the Lord. "Blessed be the God of my master, who has led me to the house of his family."
Rebekah ran ahead to tell her mother. Her brother, Laban, saw the jewelry and rushed out to the well. "Come, O man of God," he said. "Why do you stand out here? The house is ready."
The servant entered and was offered food, but he raised a hand. "I will not eat until I speak."
"Then speak," Laban said.
And so the servant told them everything-about Abraham, about Isaac, about the oath, the prayer, and the answer God had sent through Rebekah. When he finished, the room was still.
"This is from the Lord," Bethuel and Laban said. "Take her, and let her become the wife of your master's son, as the Lord has spoken."
The next morning, after gifts had been given, the servant asked to depart. But Rebekah's family wished to delay.
"Let her stay ten more days."
But the servant insisted. "Do not hinder me now that the Lord has prospered my way."
So they called Rebekah and asked, "Will you go with this man?"
"I will go," she said without hesitation.
And so she left, accompanied by her nurse and servants, blessed by her family:
"May you, our sister, become the mother of thousands; may your children possess the gates of their enemies."
Across the dusty roads and golden fields, Rebekah rode on camelback. As evening came, she saw a man walking alone in the field-Isaac, meditating beneath the open sky. He lifted his eyes, and she lifted hers.
"Who is that man?" she asked.
"He is my master," the servant said.
Rebekah veiled herself.
The servant recounted all that had happened. And Isaac, quiet and thoughtful, brought Rebekah into the tent of his mother Sarah. There, he took her as his wife.
He loved her.
And in that love, Isaac found comfort after the passing of his mother.