LESSON XVII.—ISAAC AND REBEKAH.
2. Where was she buried? Verse 19. 3. To whom did Abraham intrust the management of all his affairs? Gen. 24:2; 15:2. 4. What was the character of this servant? 5. When Isaac was forty years old, on what errand was Eliezer sent? Gen. 24:1–10. 6. To what place did he go? 7. Why did Abraham take such a course? 8. What did Eliezer take with him on his journey? 9. Where did he stop when he came to the city of Nahor? Verse 11. 10. Why did Eliezer ask God to guide him in this matter? 11. What token did he ask the Lord to give him? Verse 14. 12. How was his request granted? Verses 15–19. 13. What did Eliezer give Rebekah? Verse 22. 14. What questions did he ask her? 15. What answers did she give? 16. What did Rebekah then do? 17. How was Eliezer invited in? 18. How did Eliezer manifest his prompt and thorough habits? Verse 33. 19. After he had told his story, what request did he make? Verse 49. 20. What reply did he receive? Verses 50, 51. 21. After this what did they do? Verses 53, 54. 22. What decision was finally made in regard to the time when Rebekah should go? 23. How did Isaac feel about the choice that had been made for him? Verse 67. 24. Why is this history recorded? 25. What lesson is taught by it? 26. Where may we find much valuable instruction on this subject? 27. Would it not be well to study it? When Sarah was a hundred and twenty-seven years old, she died; and Abraham buried her in Hebron, in the cave of Machpelah, in a field that he had bought of Ephron. Abraham had a wise servant, named Eliezer, a man of mature years and sound judgment. To this servant Abraham intrusted the management of all his affairs. When Isaac was forty years old, Abraham sent Eliezer to the country of Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor, to get a wife for Isaac; for he feared that Isaac might take a wife from among the wicked Canaanites that dwelt near them. So Eliezer took camels, and servants, and rich presents, and went on his journey. When he came to the city, he stopped outside by a well, where the women of the city were accustomed to come out to draw water. Feeling incompetent to judge in so important a matter, he asked the Lord to guide him in the choice of a wife for Isaac. He said, “And let it come to pass that the damsel to whom I shall say, ‘Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink;’ and she shall say, ‘Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also:’ let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac.” Before Eliezer had done speaking, Rebekah, a beautiful young woman, came out to draw water, and did just as Eliezer had asked that the one should do whom the Lord had chosen for Isaac. After talking with her, the servant gave her an earring and bracelets of gold, and asked if he and his company could find entertainment for the night at her home. She ran to the house, and her brother Laban came out and invited Eliezer in. Eliezer refused to eat till he had made known his errand. After he had told his story, Rebekah’s people said that the thing proceeded from the Lord, and that they could not refuse. After this, they ate and drank, and Eliezer brought forth many rich presents for Rebekah. It was finally decided that Rebekah should go at once to become the wife of Isaac; for Eliezer was very anxious to return immediately to his master. As Rebekah was willing to go, they started on their journey the next morning. Isaac was much pleased with the choice that had been made, and he and Rebekah lived very happily together. This history is recorded as a lesson to young people of all times, teaching them that in such matters they should rely upon the judgment of parents, or others who are led by the Spirit of God; or that they should, in some way, be sure that they are following the counsel of God. On this subject the Bible gives much valuable instruction, which it would be well to study.