I am thinking of love today as my son and daughter-in-law celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary. I remember with joy their special day and the great love story they shared. Thoughts of wedding gowns and wedding vows remind me as well of a very special love story recorded in the Bible: the love story of Isaac and Rebekah.
Isaac’s mother, Sarah, had passed away and his father, Abraham, realizing he was getting older, decided to arrange a bride for his son. Abraham sent his most faithful and trustworthy servant back to Abraham’s homeland to seek a wife for Isaac.
When the servant arrives at his destination he prays, “Let it come to pass that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink, and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also, Let the same be she that thou has appointed for thy servant Isaac.”
Just as he lifted his head from his prayer, Rebekah came out to the well. The servant asked and she gave him and his camels water to drink. Recognizing immediately God’s answer to his prayer, the servant asked to go to her father’s house.
In Rebekah’s home, Abraham’s servant explained his mission to find a bride for Isaac. He told how God had answered his prayer by sending Rebekah. The servant then gave precious goods to Rebekah and her family. We are told he gave gifts of jewels, fine gold, and raiment. The servant never boasted about himself he only spoke of the greatness of Isaac. Finally, he asked if Rebekah would return with him to marry his master’s son. She agreed and they left for Abraham’s house.
It is easy to imagine as they traveled Rebekah asking that the servant to please tell her again about Isaac. “O”, the servant could have answered, “he’s a good man with great possessions, godly and kind.” On their journey toward her groom, Rebekah’s love for Isaac grew though she had never seen him.
The special day came when the servant and Rebekah approached Isaac as he meditated. The Bible reads that Rebekah lighted off her camel to greet him. Isaac loved her and took her that night to be his wife.
What a romantic encounter! It does our hearts good to recall how God moved in the lives of his people so many years ago. It is also comforting to know that He is moving in lives today. There is another love story taking place right now. Just as Abraham sent his servant, God the Father has sent His Holy Spirit out into the world to seek a bride for His Son.
The Holy Spirit never speaks of himself but only of the greatness of the Son. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth, for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:13-14)
Abraham’s servant brought good gifts to Rebekah and her family. In the same way, the Holy Spirit brings good gifts to the bride of Christ. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22)
As Rebekah’s love grew for Isaac, so the bride’s love grows for the Bridegroom though she has never seen him. “Whom having not seen 
ye love, in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” (I Peter 1:8).
O Holy Spirit of God, tell us again about Jesus. “He’s Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father…full of Grace and Truth.” On your journey to the Father’s house, is your love growing for Jesus? Do you love him more today than you did yesterday?
“Herein is love. Not that we love God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (I John 4:10). The greatest love story of all time began to unfold at the foundation of the world when the Lamb of God was slain for us. It will culminate one day in a wedding ceremony that will take place when Jesus comes back to receive His bride. Is the Holy Spirit calling you today to make that journey to Jesus? Will you accept His call?
As I flip through the wedding pictures of my son, Nick, and his bride, I remember how simply elegant Kim made their sacred day. Joy and love filled the air. One glorious day we will see Jesus face to face and be with Him forever. It will be joy unspeakable and full of glory.