Introduction
17. The choice of a bride for Isaac ch. 24
Abraham’s servant returned to Paddan-aram charged with the duty of finding a suitable bride for Isaac. He faithfully and resolutely fulfilled his task relying on God’s faithfulness to prosper his journey and God’s providence to guide him. God directed him to Rebekah.
The length of this story and the amount of detail included suggests that this incident played an important part in the fulfillment of the Author’s purpose. This is the longest chapter in Genesis. [Note: See Brian A. Bompiani, "Is Genesis 24 a Problem for Source Criticism?" Bibliotheca Sacra 164:656 (October-December 2007):403-15, for defense of the unity of this chapter.] The details show how God provided a wife and seed-bearer for Isaac and thus remained faithful to His promises to Abraham. God’s working providentially through the natural course of events to accomplish His purposes clarifies His ways with humankind.
"The key idea in the passage is in the word hesed, ’loyal love’ or ’loyalty to the covenant’-from both God’s perspective and man’s." [Note: Ross, "Genesis," p. 67.]
"This . . . narrative is the most pleasant and charming of all the patriarchal stories." [Note: von Rad, p. 253. Cf. 15:18-20.]
The structure of the four sections (1-9, 10-28, 29-61, 62-67) is again palistrophic (chiastic). The first and fourth sections take place in Abraham’s household in Canaan, and the second and third record events in Rebekah’s household in Aram.
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