Abraham fathered Ishmael and Isaac who both would be leaders of many nations. Isaac, however, was chosen by God to be the covenant heir and direct bloodline of Israel through Abraham’s wife, Sarah.

After Sarah died, Abraham sent the elder servant of his household on a journey back to his country to find for Isaac a wife. It was important that Isaac marry only from Abraham’s family and not from the Canaanites where he lived.

Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, that I may make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” 
Genesis 24:1-4

Abraham’s servant was concerned whether the young woman suitable for a wife for Isaac would refuse to leave her family and land to be Isaac’s wife. Abraham assured him that he must go and seek out a wife for Isaac from his family and that the LORD would direct his steps to the chosen woman. Abraham believed God would be faithful and provide a wife for Isaac.

The servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” Abraham said to him, “see to it that you do not take my son back there. The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, “To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.” 
Genesis 24:5-8

It was customary for parents to choose spouses for their children in those days, so Abraham summoned his servant to go search for a wife for Isaac instead of sending Isaac himself. There was a covenant to be fulfilled and Abraham would not risk sending his son Isaac to the land that God told him to leave years before in search for a better land.

As Abraham’s servant traveled back to Mesopotamia, he asked God to let the woman he asks for a drink of water who gives him and his camels water, be the woman He has chosen for Isaac’s wife. The servant eventually stops near a spring for water and finds Rebekah. He asks her for water and she said that she would give him water to drink and also draw water for his camels. He was grateful that God led him to Rebekah and then asked her if there was room at her father’s house to stay for the night. She invited him to her home where he met her family. Abraham’s servant found out Rebekah was the granddaughter of Abraham’s brother, Nahor. The servant meets Bethuel, Nahor’s son and Rebekah’s father, and is intent on settling his business in Mesopotamia. He tells Bethuel and Laban, Rebekah’s brother, how he was sent by his master Abraham to seek a wife for his son and what happened at the spring with Rebekah. He tells them that his master Abraham is very wealthy and asks if they would be willing to let Rebekah go back with him to be Isaac’s wife. They acknowledge the request to be from the LORD and gave their consent.

“…Then I bowed my head and worshiped the LORD and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. Now then if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.” Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing has come from the LORD; we cannot speak to you bad or good. Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the LORD has spoken.” When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before the LORD. And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments. 
Genesis 24:48-53

It’s important to add that Rebekah accepted the proposal as well and was willing to leave with Abraham’s servant the next day, as he wanted to waste no time in returning to Isaac with Rebekah.

When Rebekah reached Canaan she sees a man in a field in the distance, and asks Abraham’s servant who he is. He tells her that the man is his master Isaac, so she jumps off the camel and runs to meet him. The Bible tells us that Isaac falls in love with Rebekah, marries her, and is consoled of his mother’s death.

Isaac prayed to the LORD for children because Rebekah could not conceive. God answered his prayer and Rebekah becomes pregnant with twin sons, Esau and Jacob. These two brothers were very different and fought against each other even while in the womb. Rebekah was concerned about this and asked the LORD why this was happening.

And the LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.” 
Genesis 25:23

Esau, the eldest was named as such because he was red and hairy. Jacob came out of the womb holding onto Esau’s heel and was therefore given his name which means “he cheats.” In Hebrew, “heel catcher” means supplanter which means “to supersede (another) especially by force or treachery.” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

As Esau grew up, he became a hunter of wild game and was Isaac’s favorite. Jacob was the opposite and preferred to be at home and was Rebekah’s favorite.

Once when Esau was out hunting, Jacob was home cooking stew. When Esau returned, he begged his brother for some of his stew because he was hungry and exhausted. Jacob tells him, of course! But first, you must sell me your birthright. Esau’s rashness led him to comply because he said what good was a birthright when he was going to die of starvation. Jacob made Esau swear to give him his birthright, which he did, and God despised Esau’s lack of gratefulness.

A famine in the land where Isaac lived became severe, so Isaac went to Abimelech, the king of the Philistines for help. Then the LORD spoke to Isaac.

And the LORD appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” 
Genesis 26:2-5

Isaac remained in the land of Gerar and became very successful and wealthy. Even with success, Isaac experienced trials with his neighbors and continued disappointment in his children.  

Join me next for Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob

For additional information, look for Israel—Chosen by God: Abraham

In the meantime, I pray that God blesses you and reveals His truth to you.

I have included the song below for your listening pleasure and to encourage you in your walk with God.

“Waiting” – Healing Place Worship