Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-26
By REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON.

By REV. HUGH r. STEVENSON.
Tho courtsfip of Isaac and Rebekah
seems far removed from modern Gus
toms and practice. Western civiliza-
ton does not look with favor upon
the oriental habit Of arranging for the
marriage of a man and q woman with
out consulting their ideas and incli-
nations. Yet it is said. that often
such marriages are happy and bless
ed. In the study of this romance. it
must be continually kept in mind that
we cannot take the story in its en-
tirety and fit it closely to our own
time and circumstances. In fact, it
would be both historically impossible
and unwiSe to attempt to do SO. The
institution of marriage has developed
through various stages and some of
them are apparent in the Bible itself.
In the early days of the patriarchs,
polygamy was in common vogue. Sol
ONION, for instance, kept a harem.
Then came the step from the physi-
cal level to the moral level, under the
inspiration of the prophets. Marriage
then assumed a new dignity. In the
New Testament we find Paul giving
the world a higher conception of the
marriage relation, but it remained for
Jesus to lift marriage to the high
plane of spiritual things, even as He
lifted religion itself to that plane. 1t
was at a marriage feast that Christ
performed His first miracle, it will be
recalled. Thus, we may conclude that
the Bible views of marriage. were
were acceptable to the moral con-
science of its own time. These chang
ing levels of ideas and social envir-
onment were, therefore, largely re-
sponsible for the various forms which
are found.
seems to be a strange mission upon
which Abraham sent his trusted serv-
ant, Eliezer. But what a different
story there might have been concern
ing Isaac's. married life if that trip
had not been made. Abraham must
to send to his kindred in Haran for a
wife for his son. Suppose Isaac had
become the husband of a daughter of
one of the heather families of Pales-
tine. The result of such union might
have been similar to that of Esau and
his Hittite wife. Isaac might have had
the same experience as Ahab. who mar
ried the fascinating out wicked Jeze-
bel. There must have been among the
daughters of the Canaanites many
beautiful women who would have
looked with favor. upon the wealthy
heir of Abraham. But God wished to
keep alive in the human race the spirit
ual ideas that had been planted in the
heart of His friend. and so by Divine
guidance Rebekah came to be the
chosen one.
Let us briefly review the story.
Eliezer proceeds to the old home in
Mesopotamia with his caravan Of
camels. and with presents of gold. sill
yer and raiment for the unknown bride
and her family. This servant had
Abraham's faith in a measure at least,
for we see him kneeling in prayer be-
fore the city of Major by the side of
the well. He is praying for Divine
guidance in his task. He realized the
limits of human knowledge and wanted
Jehovah's assistance in his selection of
the right. woman for the son Of his
master. 1t is no wonder he succeeded
with such a spirit. The Bible is full
of the stories of men like Eliezer who
have attempted their tasks with Gods
help. Modern Christians would do well
to take more things to Him in prayer.
How many times we try to achieve
great victories for God without even
asking for His help in our plans and
in our battles.
Before he had done speaking to
God the chronicler tells us that Re-
bekah came with her pitcher upon her
shoulder. 1t was her daily task, and
she probably had no inkling of the
coming events that were to change the
course of her life. Graciously she Of
fers Eliezer draft of water. and Of
fers even to water his camels, no slight
undertaking. Thus she fulfills the
specifications" of his understanding
with God, and he soon makes known
the purpose of his visit upon coming
to the home of her parents. Strange
II ju
ing to leave her home to become the
wife of Isaac. and she makes the trip
with Eliezer to Lahai-roi, where she
meets Isaac for the first time.
All through this beautiful story
runs the same thread, God directing
the affairs of His children. And it
is not only in this story, but it is q
part of all history. God had inspired
Abraham to select wife for Isaac,
not among the daughters of Canaan.
put among the kindred in Mesopo-
tamia- God had led Eliezer on his
voyage and had pointed out to him
directly the very woman he was look
ing for. Just as truly, 1t was God
leading Rebekah to offer the water.
Yet such trivial incidents have
The rose pinned upon the breast of
the woman Of ill-fame brought about
her eternal salvation. A kind word,
a cup of water, a smile. a hearty
n3ndShake-1t VIII take eternity to
unfold the power of these simple
things over the happiness of the
world And just as surely will the
future reveal the results of the cross
words that we have spoken. the am
billions that have been thwarted by
praise withheld and the lives that
have been wrecked by our failure to
be good examples of Christian broth
erhood.
1t was a simple thing for Rebekah
to do, to offer a drink Of water, but
1t distinguished her from the others
!, and marked her out as Gods choice
for Isaac. But the religion of the
Christ consists of doing such simple
things from a Christian motive. To
few are given places of distinction
1t is the lot of most of us to play
humble parts in the worlds history.
But that does not lessen the nobility
of our task If we look upon it as God
given. 1t will be we'll done if we
live in the consciousness of Gods
guidance and il we place the true
valuation upon even the daily routine
of life.
This marriage Of Isaac and Re
bekah was striking. In that Isaac. as
far as We are told, never practiccd
polygamy. But later aspects mar
its early beauty, for 1t il recorded
that Rebekah played q 6eacheroue
part In Jacobs deceit Of his father
In this .we do not wish to initiate
her. and We are forced to agree with
=. writer who states that 1--WE mus,
draw our lessons for the present from
this old story Of the distant past
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