READING: Genesis 24-26
“He will send his angel before you, and you can take a wife for my son from there.”
Genesis 24:7
One of the longest narratives in the book of Genesis is the story of the connection between Isaac and his bride-to-be, Rebekah. How their lives crossed paths was nothing short of God’s divine intervention as he connected two people who had never met, but who would together continue the line of Abraham toward the Messiah.
Abraham, Isaac’s father, did not want his son to marry a pagan Canaanite. Instead, he sent his servant to find a bride for Isaac among his own people. His servant sought a particular sign that Rebekah fulfilled when she arrived at a well outside the town: “Let the girl to whom I say, ‘Please lower your water jug so that I may drink,’ and who responds, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels also’—let her be the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master” (Gen. 24:14). Isaac met Rebekah, loved her and married her—and Abraham’s servant could respond only in praise for the God who orchestrated such events: “Blessed be the Lord” (Gen. 24:27).
Obviously, the processes for finding spouses in Abraham’s day were quite different from how we North Americans find spouses today. That truth notwithstanding, it’s still the case that God is the One who brings potential spouses together, connects the hearts of a believing male and female, and supernaturally makes them one in marriage. When we remember God’s divine hand in that process, we’re much more inclined to make marriage work with God as the center. Indeed, we will agree wholeheartedly with Jesus’ own words, “What God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matt. 19:6).
ACTION STEPS:
- If you’re married, remember the ways God worked to connect you with your spouse. Love your spouse more deeply today based on the truth that God brought you together.
- If you’re single, ask God to guard you against making relationship decisions outside of His will.
PRAYER: “God, I thank You for the way You unite believers with their spouses. Thank You for the gifts of those who love us deeply.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Genesis 27-29