Genesis 24: Who's behind Door #2?

 Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as we discover new insights and new perspectives from a very old book.

Reading Young’s Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

It appears Abraham learned his lesson from Hagar and Ishamael: his seed from which will be born a "great nation" wasn't to come from the Egyptian, the Canaanite, or other descendents of Ham. He sent his servant back to where Abraham's own kin, descendants of Shem, were living. He didn't want Isaac's children in a "house divided" between the materialism the Canaanite represents and the spirit represented in the line of Shem.

I don't think this has anything to do with history, or is evidence of the superiority of some humans over other humans, or that some groups of humans ought to be separated from others. Instead, the meaning is that spirit must be married to spirit, and shouldn't be wedded to the slave-mindset concerned with the materialistic world.

As to the story itself, the servant's "manifestation" of finding Isaac's wife in the precise manner he wanted is an example that some projects and some journeys can be easier than they seem if we just "let the LORD sort it out." Good things will come if we allow them; we don't have to put in the effort.

As to the story as a story instead of allegory, I don't think it's cool that Rebekah didn't seem to have a choice in the matter of marrying Isaac. But, she was more than willing; she was probably ready to marry the servant himself. It seemed that Abaraham and the servant weren't above making sure that Abraham's kin would be so dazzled by his wealth that just about any unmarried woman would have taken the offer. Who's behind door #2? 

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!

(Photo credit: TyshkunVictor)