Study Desk

Abraham answered, "God himself is providing the lamb for the sacrifice, my son." So both Abraham and his son went together to that place.

Then Abraham noticed a ram whose horns were caught in a bush. So Abraham went and took the ram. He offered it, instead of his son, as a sacrifice to God.

So Abraham gave that place a name, "The Lord Provides." Even today people say, "On the mountain of the Lord , he will give us what we need."

"I am only a foreigner staying in your country. I have no place to bury my wife. Please give me some land so that I can bury her."

"No, sir. Here in front of my people, I give you that land and the cave on it so that you can bury your wife."

Abraham understood that Ephron was telling him the price of the land. So Abraham paid him for the land. He weighed out ten pounds of silver for Ephron and gave it to the merchant.

So the field of Ephron changed owners. This field was in Machpelah, near Mamre. Abraham became the owner of the field, the cave in it, and all the trees in the field. Everyone in the city saw the agreement between Ephron and Abraham.

Abraham bought the field and the cave in it from the Hittites. So this became his property to be used as a burial place.

The Lord , the God of heaven, brought me from my homeland to this place. That place was the home of my father and the home of my family, but he promised that this new land would belong to my family. May he send his angel before you so that you can choose a wife for my son.

So the servant put his hand under his master's leg and made the promise.

I will say to one of them, ‘Please put your jar down so that I can drink.' Let her answer show whether she is the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. If she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give water to your camels,' I will know that she is the right one. It will be proof that you have shown kindness to my master."

So Rebekah quickly poured all the water from her jar into the drinking trough for the camels. Then she ran to the well to get more water, and she gave water to all the camels.

So Abraham's servant went into the house. Laban unloaded his camels and gave them straw and feed. Then he gave Abraham's servant water so that he and the men with him could wash their feet.

Laban then gave him food to eat, but the servant refused to eat. He said, "I will not eat until I have told you why I came." So Laban said, "Then tell us."

So you must promise to go to my father's country. Go to my family and choose a wife for my son.'

She quickly lowered the jar from her shoulder and poured me some water. Then she said, ‘Drink this, and I'll get some water for your camels.' So I drank the water, and she gave water to my camels.

Now, tell me, will you be kind and loyal to my master and give him your daughter? Or will you refuse to give her to him? Tell me so that I will know what I should do."

Then Laban and Bethuel answered, "We see that this is from the Lord , so there is nothing we can say to change it.

So they allowed Rebekah to go with Abraham's servant and his men. Her nurse also went with them.

Then Rebekah and her nurse got on the camels and followed the servant and his men. So the servant took Rebekah and left.