As we read in Genesis today we may get the idea that Isaac was not very active in pursuit of a wife. That's actually a bit of a misnomer. We should realize that it was really Abraham's job to secure a wife for Isaac. That's exactly what Abraham sets out to do here.
Much is made today of the kind of search people carry on for a husband or wife. We often want just the right person. In fact, many people have such a tendency to want just the right person, to "marry up" and secure a spouse who is good looking, smart, funny, and preferably wealthier than we are, we see a growing population of adults who have not married. They just haven't been able to find someone good enough. As they age, marriage becomes more difficult.
What kind of person does Abraham desire for his son, the child of promise? He desires a woman who is from his clan and who is willing to come and marry Isaac. That's all? That's all. He wants Isaac to have a wife who will be faithful, who understands that Isaac will be her husband, her guard, her guide. He wants Isaac to have a wife who will be a companion to him and will join with him in bringing God's promised blessing to all people. Looks are optional. Wealth is optional. In the final analysis, Abraham is interested in seeing his son married to someone who will leave home and family and follow Isaac.
Consider the adventure the servant goes on. He enters into unknown territory. He doesn't know anyone there. He is to go and bring back a bride. Armed with a fleet of camels, presumably a number of other servants, and a bunch of golden gifts, he goes, entrusts himself to the mercy of God, and finds a distant cousin of Abraham on the first try. God proves to the servant that he will in fact work to enable the servant to accomplish his task.
What has our Lord placed before us today? What task has he given us? Are we ready to look past the cultural hangups we have? Are we ready to look for the task to be accomplished in God's timing, using our Lord's resources, taking us along for a wild ride? Are we ready to trudge around town looking for the person who will offer to water our camels for us? Are we ready to face a task which may bring us defeat and send us home without success, as this servant of Abraham was? Are we ready to give God the glory for whatever situation he brings us into and whatever outcome he brings about? Let us rejoice in his provision, in the tasks he has given us, in the opportunities we have to love and serve our neighbors, and in the fact that he actually understands the task truly at hand.
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