The Covenant (1-10)

Abraham was advancing in years and pondering his own mortality when he called for his chief servant, Eliezer. In a moment of intense direction, Abraham had Eliezer place his hand intimately upon his body and swear an oath not to allow, under any condition, his son Isaac to marry a Canaanite woman. 

Abraham clearly did not want Isaac joined to a woman whose religious background could, in any way, entice Isaac to become indifferent to the covenant-promise that was only to be fulfilled through him (1-3).

Having heard word from home about Nahor, his brother’s family, and knowing their family had a godly influence through their father Terah, Abraham knew a wife from his brother’s house would be more suited to stand with Isaac, as Yahweh fulfilled the covenant through him (4).

Abraham then began to work through some problems Eliezer might face.

• First, what if Isaac needed to go back to Haran to secure the wedding deal? 

  Abraham was insistent, no matter what, that Isaac could not leave the land; he could not be tempted to forsake the promise of God for the comfort and warmth of a large family, even for a wife. Abraham rehearsed with Eliezer God's promise to give Isaac the land and then assured Eliezer that Yahweh’s Angel would go before and secure the wife Isaac needed (5-7).

• Second, Eliezer wondered about the covenant if the trip were unsuccessful; what if the family or woman refused to return? 

Abraham freed him from the obligation if a wife would not come (8). The covenant was finalized with Eliezer’s hand laid intimately on Abraham's thigh, affirming he would take care of his seed, Isaac (9). Eliezer rounded up ten servants, loaded supplies and gifts, and headed to the city of Nahor (Haran) (10).

The Prayer (11-14)

Eliezer arrived in Haran, just outside the city. He had the servants lower the camels and begin to ready them for water, as Eliezer began praying. Eliezer prayed that if the Angel of Yahweh was in front of them, he would give a simple miracle. He requested that the first girl to approach the well, the girl he would ask to give him a drink, would not only give him a drink but also draw water for all the camels to drink (camels are famous for drinking great amounts of water). If the girl performed these tasks, then Eliezer would know she was Yahweh’s chosen for Isaac (11-14).

Rebekah Serves with Joy (15-21)

Eliezer couldn't even finish the prayer before Rebekah arrived. It was Abraham’s niece with a water jar on her shoulder (15). Eliezer noticed she was a beautiful virgin, who, with modesty, went to the well and filled her jar. As Eliezer asked for water, Rebekah filled her container “quickly,” almost joyfully offering also to water his camels, giving them as much as they wanted, running back and forth from the well to the camels (16-20). She did all of this while 11 servants looked on in silence, Eliezer yet wondering if the Lord had blessed his trip (21).

The Gifts (22-33)

Eliezer, fairly certain this was the woman, reached in his luggage for a gold ring and two bracelets and then asked Rebekah for her pedigree and if her family would be hospitable to his entourage overnight (22-23). Rebekah affirmed she was Abraham's niece and welcomed them to stay at their estate (24-25). 

Eliezer’s first act was to bow and worship Yahweh, who had confirmed once again His faithful love toward Abraham and himself (26-27). Rebekah ran, with gifts in hand, to show and tell her mother what had just happened (28).

Of course, Laban, Rebekah’s brother, having seen the gifts, acted swiftly and ran out to meet Eliezer at the well and show him the way to his home. (29-30). Laban here is seen as the head of the family, the reason for which is unclear. Laban blessed Eliezer and the servants with him; he then assured them they would be no trouble. He brought them to his home, unpacked their animals, washed their feet, and prepared a feast for them (31-32). Eliezer, however, would not eat with Laban and his family until he had divulged his purpose (33).