The courtship and marriage of Rebecca and Isaac – Genesis 24

In this Biblical story, the matriarch Rebekah and her husband Isaac are sandwiched between the lives of Abraham and his son Jacob. As a result, their story offers an excellent illustration of the importance of choosing a wife in God’s plan.

Rebekah was a woman of high social status, an elite in her time. Her family had lived in upper Mesopotamia (in what is now northeastern Syria).

She was well educated and grew up with a sense of honor. She had an innate understanding of the importance of her role as the future wife of her young son, Isaac.

Her character reflected this. She remained loyal to her own family, but she also cultivated the ability to love and serve others.

Rebecca was not perfect in any way, but her sins did not thwart God’s plans.

The Bible shows us that women are not just “women” – they are people who can be ambitious, loving and deceitful. They must have an honest understanding of themselves, and a willingness to share their innermost thoughts with their mate.

In this case, they were able to communicate in a loving manner and build a happy, long-term relationship.

It was God’s grace that helped them to find each other and to establish a mutually satisfying marriage. In the end, they became a couple whose children would fulfill the promise of prophecy. The life of their sons showed that God has good plans for His people and can work out the details through His wisdom and mercy, despite our own misdeeds.