Matchmaker, Matchmaker

Genesis 24

If you can remember back to the last time I actually blogged, Sarah had just passed away, and as this chapter opens we find Abraham thinking about his son's future.

It's interesting to think about the possible relationship between these two. While we often hear about the story of the sacrifice of Isaac, we don't much discuss the aftermath. There's nothing written about it (which more or less explains the lack of discussion) but consider the dysfunction. Remember, Abraham tried to kill his son- yes it was God-ordained, and God stopped the death-inducing slash, but how would that moment have changed the relationship of father and son?

I wonder how comfortable Isaac would have been in Abe's presence. Would he worry that God would speak up again? While his intellect understood his father's obedience, did his heart resent the possibly perceived betrayal.

And now Sarah- the potential bridge between father and son is gone. And Isaac is left with his father.

How awkward was it for Abraham at this point? He acted out of faith- but did it cost him the warmth of his son? And while this is total speculation- is that why he acts at the beginning of this chapter to try and bring some peace to Isaac's life?

It seems significant that Abraham trusts such an important task of choosing his son's mate to a servant. Abraham seemed to know the value of delegation- a lesson that is easy to ignore. Too often we try to carry the load ourselves, neglecting the help that we could get for each other. This independent spirit seems a lot more in line with patriotism than Christianity. We don't like to admit our need for each other, our inability to handle it all on our own.

Abraham here let's his servant handle the important task and trusts that it will be handled the way God intends.

God commands going back to the homeland to find a wife. While Abraham here is following God's command, it's a little puzzling to me why God commands this. Is this an issue of race (keeping God's physical nation pure), or is it a matter of making sure that Isaac's partner comes from a land that knows and reveres Jehovah, helping ensure a smoother coexistence between these strangers who are spouses to be?

The method of choosing the bride also seems a little odd. The servant sets up a test. The woman who offers water to the camels is the woman who is to be the bride. It seems like this might be a "test" for God to get the choice made. While the process ultimately works, it's puzzling to think about God's nature in relation.

It seems ludicrous to assume that I can set up some random, arbitrary method of judgment and claim that it comes from God. The first 11 students to show up to class will be the ones who deserve A's, the first candidate who ties his shoe is the one we should hire, the first charity request written in blue ink will get our money. But as ridiculous as it seems, here, it's the right choice. So what do we take from it? (Jana's take..."she was nice")

Its cool to me that once it works, the servant praises God. It's not, God please help me; it's not God, I need you- it's simply God...thanks! - and God... You're awesome. That's not something we hear often enough. It's as important to remember God in joy as it is in sorrow or fear- and that's what the servant seems to do.

We also see some foreshadowing of Laban's sneakiness. He agrees that the decree is from above, but tries to prolong the departure. We'll see more sneakiness with Rachel later on.

So, Isaac gets his bride and all is well. The chapter ends with this thought:
So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

A result of Abraham looking out for his boy- I'd like to think the gap to Isaac got bridged.