The first matchmaking in the Bible occurred when Abraham confided to his trusted and loyal servant, Eliezer that he was getting old and wanted his servant to find a bride for his son Isaac who was nearing 40 years old and still unmarried. Abraham did not speak to Isaac nor did he asked him whether he wanted to get married, nor did he asked for Isaac's permission. In those days, the father was the head of the household and made all the decisions for his family.

Genesis chapter 24 describes the first matchmaking mentioned in the Bible. Abraham, the man of faith whom God had blessed because He believed what God told him and left his homeland for an unknown land leaving behind all his family behind except his nephew Lot who journeyed with him. Abraham was getting old and his son was unmarried and nearing forty years. He gave specific instructions to his faithful servant, Eliezer to choose a bride from his own tribe. He made Eliezer swear an oath that Isaac, Abraham's son would not marry a Canaanite woman. He believed that God would grant him his wishes.

Abraham chose his loyal and trustworthy servant for the task of choosing a wife for his beloved son, Isaac. He knew Eliezer well from his service to himself and that he would carry out his wishes without fail for he was also a man loyal to God.

Abraham reiterated what the Lord God had told him. "Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence."

Abraham had perfect faith and trust in the Lord God that He would keep His words, and bless his descendants.

Eliezer asked his master what would happen should the maiden refused to follow him. Abraham replied that he was free from his oath. Eliezer took ten camels of his master and departed for Mesopotamia, the city where Nahor, Abraham's brother lived. He arrived by a well outside the city in the evening at the time when women came out to draw water. He prayed to God for guidance to prosper Abraham's wishes.

Eliezer prayed that God would show him a sign that the damsel to whom he addressed, would fulfil what he prayed for.

"Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I many 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" (Genesis 24:14).

Eliezer did not depend on his own wisdom to decide which of the damsels who came to draw water would be the suitable one for his master, Isaac. Eliezer, like Abraham depended on the Lord to choose for him. He prayed in his heart for the Lord to show him the chosen damsel for Isaac.

Eliezer addressed Isaac as the servant of God for he watched him as a child who grew up to be a man and he knew the heart of Isaac who also loved and obeyed God.

Rebekah, Nahor's grand-daughter was the perfect maiden chosen by God for Isaac.  Nahor was Abraham's brother (Gen. 11: 26-29; Gen. 22: 20, 23). 

Rebekah was a beautiful and kind girl to Eliezer, a stranger to her.  She offered him a drink from her pitcher and besides this, she even offered to water all the 10 camels that Eliezer brought with him.  It would take quite a long time for her to water all the camels.  God loves those who are good and kind to strangers (Deu. 10:18,19; Mat. 25:35). Rebekah fulfilled all Eliezer's desires for a good wife for Isaac..

 Eliezer told Rebekah's family about his mission praising Abraham as a man blessed by God and Eliezer asked for permission to take Rebekah back with him to be Isaac's wife.

Rebekah did not hem and haw, but acquiesed her willingness to marry Isaac.  She seemed to be a decisive person and knew what she wanted.  She did not behave coyly nor did she asked for more presents.  She probably knew that she was destined to be Isaac's wife. 

Isaac's role was passive. He did not give his permission nor did he object in the search for a wife. He just allowed the decision to happen. Adam did not seek a companion in his life, but God saw the need for his life to be complete and provided Eve to be his mate. Isaac was a docile person for he did not object when Abraham tried to present him as a sacrifice to God as a burnt offering. He allowed his father, Abraham to meekly tie his hand and set him up ready for slaughter. He even asked Abraham where the lamb to be slaughtered was. He obediently received instructions from his father and God blessed Isaac as He blessed Abraham.

In the whole epiode, the characters played their roles according to the will and commandments of God and it was a perfect match. Praise and thank the Lord God.

The Perfect Role

• By Leslie Verghese,

. Rev. Verghese is a licensed psychotherapist practicing in New York. He is also a minister at the First Church of God in Elmont, NY.

The Basic Foundations that form the Guidelines for a Relationship are:
• God initiated it.
• God made the decision.
• God knew the mate. Man did not.
• God prepared the woman. Man did not.
• God presented her to man. Man did not go in search of her.
• God’s end purpose was unity.
• Jesus upheld the plan and the disciples followed it.
God’s standards are high but are not unattainable. God wants every man and woman to be led into a gate way that leads to this great institution of marriage. When we go through this way, all the guidelines set by God will be completely fulfilled. What is this gateway?

GOD must be in any successful marriage for He created human beings in His own image and instituted marriage for mankind. First He created Adam and found that without a mate, he was incomplete. So God instituted marriage and brought Eve to Adam for his beloved mate.

Genesis chapter 2:21-22 records. "And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof: (22) And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man."

For any marriage to succeed, God must first be considered above all things. Pray for God's guidance and let God bless the marriage. All glory to the Lord.