“I will go”

There are many stories of faith in the Bible, but few match the trust in God displayed by a young lady who decided to leave her family and home with a complete stranger for a new life and new husband she knew absolutely nothing about.

One of the most well-known tales from the Bible is the test of Abraham’s faith with the command to sacrifice his son Isaac. It is a difficult test to consider, it seems cruel and unreasonable.

Abraham- like Job and Noah- is on another level. He is a friend to God. He talks with God, has been trusted with extraordinary knowledge, and has been called to an extraordinary role. The father of many nations, the patriarch of the Lord’s people. In proving his friend, the Lord required extraordinary faith from someone who trusted God completely.

Abraham- like Job- could be trusted by God to demonstrate to all men (and the devils) how to trust completely in the Lord. An example of what is meant by true faith in God.

A faith that was quietly and simply displayed by a young lady named Rebekah.

Sarah had already passed away, and Abraham knew he wouldn’t be around forever. He didn’t want Isaac to marry one of the local heathen women, so he sent his most trusted, competent head servant back to the old country to find Isaac a wife from his people.

The man traveled to the old country and sat down near a well:

Genesis 24: 12-14   ¹² And he said O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.  ¹³ Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:  ¹⁴ And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.

Before he had even finished his prayer, a young lady named Rebekah had arrived at the well. After she filled her pitcher, Abraham’s servant asked for a drink. She told him no problem, and she would get water for his camels as well.

Rebekah reveals she is of Abraham’s kin folk, and they would be able to lodge the travelers for the night. When the man arrives at the home and sits down for supper, he tells them his story, being sent by Abraham, culminating in the incident at the well. After the story, Rebekah’s people agree- this thing is from the Lord.

From the servants point of view, he was led straight to his master’s people, was given a sign at the well, and met the young lady he was sent for. It was a miracle.

From Rebekah’s and her families point of view- a strange man has shown up claiming God has sent him to take Rebekah back to his master’s son. Any adult reading this can certainly imagine what some concerns with this story might be.

They couldn’t call Abraham or send him a text to confirm this story. Rebekah couldn’t look up Isaac’s profile on Facebook to see what sort of person this was. It was time to lean on faith, to trust in God.

⁵⁸ And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.

I will go. A simple statement with a powerful meaning. I trust the Lord.

Would you go? Would you have allowed your daughter to go? Sometimes letting go and trusting God isn’t easy. But if it is something you practice daily, learning to lean on the Lord, learning to trust in the Spirit- you will be ready to answer when he calls.

⁶⁴ And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. ⁶⁵ For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.  ⁶⁶ And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. ⁶⁷ And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.