Genesis 24:62 - Meaning and Application

Isaac and Rebekah are at last brought together in happiness. Notice first that Isaac was busy with something good when he met Rebekah. He went out into the field in the evening to meditate, or pray, (Genesis 24:62-63). Some think he was expecting his servants back and went out to meet them. But it seems more likely that he went out to enjoy the quiet of evening and the solitude of the field for meditation and prayer, those holy exercises in which we talk with God and search our own hearts.

Holy people love being alone. It does us good to spend time by ourselves, walking alone or sitting alone, and if we use solitude well, we find we are never less alone than when we are alone. Meditation and prayer should be both our work and our delight when we are by ourselves. As long as we have a God to know, a Christ to trust, and a heaven to seek, we will not lack matters for thought or prayer. When meditation and prayer go together, they help each other.

Walks in the field are most pleasant when they lead us to prayer and reflection. There we can look up at the heavens above and around us, with all their beauty and riches, and that sight should lead us to think about the Maker and Lord of all. Devotion should also be the refreshment of the evening. It helps relieve us from the weariness of the day’s care and work, and it prepares us for the rest of the night.

Merciful acts of God are doubly sweet when they find us doing our duty. Some think Isaac was praying for success in this matter that was coming, and meditating on what could encourage his faith about it. Then, just as he was watching, as it were, from his lookout tower to see what God would answer, as the prophet says, he saw the camels coming (Habakkuk 2:1). God sometimes sends the mercy we ask for right away (Acts 12:12).

Rebekah behaved very fittingly when she met Isaac. Once she understood who he was, she got down from her camel (Genesis 24:64) and took a veil and covered herself (Genesis 24:65), showing humility, modesty, and submission. She did not complain that Isaac had not come himself to fetch her, or at least met her partway. She did not grumble about the long trip or about leaving her family to go to a strange place. Instead, seeing that God’s providence had gone before her in this matter, she gladly adjusted herself to her new relationship.

Those who by faith are joined to Christ, and who want to be presented to him as pure virgins, must follow Rebekah’s example. They must humble themselves and submit to him as their head (Ephesians 5:24). Rebekah showed this by getting down from the camel when she saw Isaac on foot, and by putting on the veil, which signaled submission (1 Corinthians 11:10).

They were brought together, likely after some further acquaintance, to their mutual joy (Genesis 24:67). Here we see, first, how affectionate a son Isaac was toward his mother. It had been about three years since her death, and yet until now he had not been comforted concerning it. The wound left by that loss had stayed open in his tender heart for a long time, and it was not fully healed until God brought him into this new relationship. In this way, sorrows and comforts balance each other (Ecclesiastes 7:14) and help keep life even.

We also see what a loving husband Isaac was to his wife. Those who have done well in one relationship may be hoped to do well in another. Rebekah became his wife, and he loved her. There was every reason for him to do so, for husbands should love their wives as they love themselves. The duty of marriage is fulfilled, and its comfort is enjoyed, when mutual love rules. There the Lord gives his blessing.