In the pleasant home of Bethuel, Rebekah’s father, there was much talking. Eliezer was explaining who he was, and for whom he worked. When Rebekah’s father and brother heard he was from Abraham, their close relation, they were overjoyed.
The little Mouse, sitting in the corner listening, nodded her head happily. Yes, Abraham was a wonderful man who loved the Lord God with all his heart.
Eliezer then explained his errand - to find a wife for his Master’s much-loved son, Issac. He went on to say that Abraham did not want Isaac to marry a Canaanite woman who worshipped false gods but to marry someone from his own people.
Bethuel and Laban understood.
‘The Lord sent His Angel before me’ Eliezer continued in a hushed voice full of awe, ‘And Rebekah did exactly as I had prayed. Not only did she gladly give me a drink, but she drew water for my Camels also.’
‘And me’ piped up the little Mouse who had shared the Camel’s water, but they did not hear her tiny voice.
‘This is from the Lord’ said Rebekah’s father, and his son agreed. ‘She may go with you, and become Isaac’s wife as the Lord has led’ Bethuel decided giving his permission to his daughter’s marriage. ‘But first let us ask Rebekah if she is willing.’
Rebekah was called in and, after the question was put to her, agreed. ‘I will go’ was her answer.
‘The Angel of the Lord must have spoken to her’ the little Mouse whispered to herself. ‘Oh, I must tell the others’ and she was just about to scamper away when she saw Eliezer bringing out the most beautiful gifts of silver and gold jewellery for Rebekah and the most gorgeous clothing. Eliezer also gave many expensive and beautiful gifts to her family.
The little eyes of the Mouse were wide with wonder as she saw one beautiful gift follow another. Then, after a last look at the sparkling array, she ran off to tell the others the latest news.
‘I’m sure Isaac will love her straight away’ she finally said as her story came to an end. ‘She is so beautiful.’
‘Huh!’ snorted Asher as he looked at his reflection in the water trough. ‘Beauty is only skin deep, it’s what is inside you that counts!!’
‘How true! It certainly is’ giggled the Mouse as she watched him stamp over to the others, and roughly push them aside to make more room for himself!
The next day Rebekah’s parents tried to persuade Eliezer to stay a week or two longer, but Eliezer was keen to get back to his Master, Abraham.
So Bethuel, and his wife, and Laban agreed they should leave that day, and they blessed Rebekah and prayed for her new life with Isaac. Rebekah and her maids then mounted their Camels and, together with Eliezer and his servants, they began the long slow journey back to the home of Abraham.
‘We never saw the Angel’ said Omar as they plodded along. ‘I think he should have thanked us for bringing Eliezer all this way, don’t you?’
‘Yes, what’s the point of having an Angel guiding you if you can’t see him’ grunted Joash.
The others all joined in with their grumbles.
The little Mouse sighed, then jumped up and down on Joash and squealed at the top of her voice ‘Oh! you grumbly Camels, isn’t it enough to know that he HAS led us, without having to see him?’
‘And we CAN see the results of his guiding’ added Tamar thoughtfully. ‘Because Rebekah is coming with us.’
‘Exactly!’ agreed the Mouse.
The Camels’ mutterings began to fade away, but as they walked along Nebo was heard to say ‘I still think we should have .....’ but his voice was lost as one of the servants shouted ‘Come along, Nebo, stop your groaning.’
And so the days and weeks passed, until one day they saw the tents of Abraham in the distance, and the Camels began to hurry as they saw the end of their journey in sight.
That evening Rebekah saw a man in the nearby field. ‘Who is that man coming to meet us?’ she asked.
‘It’s Isaac’ came the high-pitched voice of the little Mouse.
‘It’s my Master, Isaac’ Eliezer confirmed, so Rebekah got down from her Camel and shyly covered her face with her veil.
And the moment she and Isaac looked at each other, they fell in love!
The little Mouse had a wonderful time telling all her friends and relations the wonderful story of how the Angel of the Lord had prepared the way for them, and how their Heavenly Father had given Isaac and Rebekah a great love for each other.
‘And now, here we are at their wedding’ she sighed. ‘Was there ever such a happy story as this one?’
And even the Camels agreed and were happy - And That Was Another Miracle!!!
Elizabeth Aynsley ©
Genesis Ch.24 vs. 1 - 67.