[And He Walks With Me] Genesis 24

2        under my thigh may have meant “on my genitals.” It is suggested that this indicated that the “oath was related to Abraham’s last will and testament” and was to be binding even posthumously.^[50]

4        Abraham first learned that his brother Nahor had a family in 22:20-24. Now that Sarah was gone and he himself was getting on in years (1), Abraham resolved to find a wife for Isaac from my land and my family. To marry a relative or another member of the same social group (e.g., clan, tribe) was not uncommon (e.g., Sarah was Abraham’s half-sister (20:12)). The practice, called endogamy, was generally designed to preserve inheritance. In Abraham’s case, he had an additional interest in “avoiding assimilation with the people in the land.” Later, God would prescribe endogamy for Israel to preserve religious and cultural fidelity, but Laban and his family did not share Abraham’s faith.^[51]

6-9        Abraham wanted to find his son a wife, but notice the trust and commitment expressed here. Abraham expected that, because God promised to give this land to your offspring, he would send his angel before the servant to prepare a woman who was willing to (a) leave her family, (b) travel to a distant land, and (c) adopt a new religion. If the woman is unwilling to follow, the servant was instructed to abort the mission and ensure Isaac remained in Canaan because God’s mission was the priority, and God would find another way to provide Isaac a wife and offspring.

14        The servant here used a common strategy to discern the will of God. A question with two possible answers – typically, yes or no – was presented to a deity along with a specific way for the deity to answer. Generally, a positive response was indicated by a particular extraordinary response, and anything more ordinary indicated a negative response. In this case, God was to indicate Isaac’s future wife by having her willingly offer exceptional hospitality by offering to water his camels when he asked only for a sip for himself. This offer would defy natural inclination and accepted social norms.^[52]

19        Depending on how long they had gone without water, camels could drink 25 gallons (appr 100 liters) each. The typical water vessel held 2-3 gallons. Given that there were ten camels (10), this would mean as many as 100 trips to the well. Of course, there is a good chance they were watered more frequently, but Rebekah’s willingness to water the camels without knowing when they were last watered was nevertheless an example of remarkable generosity!^[53]

22        A shekel weighed approximately 0.4 ounces (11.34 gram). Typically, 10 shekels of silver was equivalent to a person’s annual wages. This gift, then, was exceedingly extravagant. As of January 22, 2025, each of these bracelets would have been worth more than USD$10,000, and the ring would have been worth more than $500.

26-27        The man knelt low [and] worshiped the Lord in immediate recognition that God had answered his prayer. How many times do we pray for something and then neglect to acknowledge that God has fulfilled it because we take credit for ourselves or attribute it to mere coincidence. We must be deliberate about praising and thanking God for all that he has done!

58        It is remarkable that they considered Rebekah’s opinion in the matter.

67        As the matriarch of the household, Sarah held a place of honor that was vacated when she died. Now, however, the matriarch’s tent was to be occupied by Rebekah, who would assume that role of honor.

[50] NIV Study Bible 2011, Genesis 24:2; Keener and Zondervan 2016, Genesis 24:2

[51] Keener and Zondervan 2016, Genesis 24:4

[52] Keener and Zondervan 2016, Genesis 24:14

[53] Keener and Zondervan 2016, Genesis 24:19