Isaiah 65:24, "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear."
God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of many descendants. In order for God to fulfill this promise, Abraham's son, Isaac, needed a wife. This bride needed to be chosen with particular care since she would play a key role in God's plans for the future and in His promises to Abraham. The Canaanite women were idol worshipers, and none of them would be suitable as a wife for Isaac. So Abraham instructed his most trusted servant to journey back to Nahor, about 500 miles from Hebron where Abraham was presently living, and find a wife for Isaac among Abraham's own people.
The servant was anxious to fulfill his mission well, but he did not know how to recognize the woman God had in mind as Isaac's bride. He did as we are instructed to do when we lack wisdom. He prayed and asked God to show him the right person. Where do you suppose this servant had learned to pray? No doubt he was following the example of his master. What a contrast with Abraham's influence and Lot's influence upon those around them.
The servant prayed specifically, "See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a young woman, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too'--let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac." Genesis 24:13-14a. Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her water jar and gave the servant a drink and then watered his camels. She was the daughter of Abraham's nephew, Bethuel. God had answered the servant's prayer and had led the servant to the bride He had for Isaac.
When Rebekah was asked if she would go with the servant to be Isaac's bride, she was ready and willing to leave her old life for the new life that God had prepared for her.
This beautiful love story is a picture of God's love for us. Abraham represents the Father who is seeking His bride, the church. The servant represents the Holy Spirit Who searches for those who will comprise the Bride of Christ. He does not speak of himself but directs all attention to the Bridegroom. Isaac is the picture of the Bridegroom, Jesus, who welcomes His bride into His house, loves her, and shares all He has with those who belong to Him. Rebekah represents the Church, the Bride of Christ, on whom the Bridegroom lavishes His love, His possessions and His presence.
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