Genesis 24:62-67

Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he dwelt in the South. And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming. Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel; for she had said to the servant, “Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?”

The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took a veil and covered herself.

And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Comforted? Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death? What’s that all about?

Using scripture to interpret scripture, we find some solid clues. First, from Genesis 17:17, 23:1 and 25:20, we see that Isaac married Rebekah about three years after Sarah died.

Second, when Rebekah first asks who Isaac is, the servant says, “It is my master,” not “It is my master’s son.” Also, the servant described Isaac inheriting Abraham’s wealth in the past tense with the words “to him he has given all that he has.” The mantle has already been passed.

Third, Genesis 37:35 and 38:12 indicate that “comforted” refers to the completion of mourning. Isaac wasn’t neurotic about the death of his mother, but there was some unfinished business.

Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent;

That’s the key. Remember, God clearly appointed Rebekah to be Isaac’s wife. All that drama with the servant and Rebekah and her family confirms this. The family has a matriarch again—one clearly chosen by God.

This fills the void left by Sarah’s death and completes the transition.

One of the main callings of a Christian is to help and comfort those in need. Grieving people almost always could use a little comforting—and sometimes more than that.

Don’t be afraid of trying to help. If you don’t know what to say, don’t say anything. Still, it’s good to ask questions such as, “How can I pray for you?”, “How can I help?”, or “Is there anything you need?”

And be prepared for a real answer. People in your church are comfortable with being loved.

Also ask God to show you what you can do to help. He may open your eyes to something new. If you feel called to this kind of ministry, check out the training programs that teach how to help hurting people.

Two good ones can be found at https://stephenministries.org and https://www.hopelowcountry.org/

To forward this devotional, see the link in green below.

These weekday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. Saturdays' by Matt Richardson. Subscribe here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/community

The weekly study guides, which include questions for discussion or meditation, are here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NASB stands for the New American Standard Bible. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.