Prayer Time

And they blessed Rebekah…Genesis 24:60

Perhaps these days we think too little of a family blessing. When the decision was made that Rebekah would leave her family to become Isaac’s wife her family gave her their blessing. Their culture may seem strange to us, but this was the norm in the days of Abraham and Bethuel. 

Abraham’s servant was visiting Abraham’s nephew, Bethuel, to secure a wife, Rebekah, for Isaac, Abraham’s son. Rebekah’s brother was Laban. Later two of Laban’s daughters, Leah and Rachel, will be given in marriage to Jacob, Isaac’s son. As Laban was Rebekah’s older brother, he is mentioned with their father in Verse 50-51: Here is Rebekah before you. Take her and ho, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as the LORD has spoken.

Which brings us back to the blessing upon Rebekah, Verses 59-60: “So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, my you become the mother of thousands of ten thousands. And may your descendants possess the gates of those who hate them.” Yes, this blessing may sound strange to our culture. But in fact, it is a prophetic blessing which comes true.

Verse 63: And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening. He lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming. In the distance, Isaac could see his servant returning. And with him is his wife-to-be, Rebekah. 

We may take notice of Isaac’s time and place of meditation—prayer; in the evening, in the field. Or, alone at the end of the day. There are many ways to spend our evenings. Most have little value. Perhaps the answers to our prayers would be more appreciated if our time with God was invested more wisely. Perhaps tonight we take time to be alone in meditation to our Father in heaven. Then, when we see the answer coming toward us like a mirage, we meet it with joy and thanksgiving.