Sarah was one hundred twenty-seven years old when she died.  After her death rumors would spread about her early passing.  It was said that she died from the shock of learning about Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac.

This was nonsense of course.  When I arrived with Abraham back at camp she was definitely upset.  If I could put it into terms of my old modern life, Abraham spent a lot of time trying to kiss and make up.  It took a little time for her to accept what took place.

Sarah was buried near Hebron.  More specifically at Mamre in a field at Machpelah within a cave.  Abraham purchased the field from a Hittite named Ephron.

While the rumors of why Sarah passed so early may have circulated there was another issue.  Isaac was affected deeply by his mother’s passing.  You could see the sorrow on him wherever he went.

Abraham was of course affected deeply as well.  Still, he was older and wiser thus could better handle what he was facing.  I lamented her death just as anyone else, but this began affecting me in a different way.

One of the curses of living the life I now have was I had to see everyone I care for leave this world.  Noah, Shem and his brothers, and countless other friends I made along the way.  Now Sarah. I knew Abraham was getting older as well. 

Time did not stand still for anyone except for me and those tied to me.

Abraham’s Request To Find Isaac A Wife

I have had some odd requests at times from Abraham.  I never expected to play the role of some kind of matchmaker.  Since my early days with Noah until now, I had never gotten involved with any kind of relationship myself nor did I want to.

I was so bad to my ex-wife that I did not plan on attempting to try that failure again.  If Abraham knew how bad I was with women, he would have never asked me to help Isaac.

Late one evening Abraham called me to his tent.  I went to see him believing it was business as usual.  When I entered he had a concerned look on his face and was scratching his head.

“Clay, I need your help.” Abraham said.
“Sure, what is it?”
“I need you to take Isaac back to my homeland to find a wife.” He said.
“You cannot be serious.” I replied.
“I am very serious.  It is time for him to move forward.”

Abraham’s matter of fact style of dealing with things sometimes floored me. He definitely did not beat around the bush. If he was thinking something, he said it.

He wanted me to go to his brother Nahor who lived in Aram-Naharaim.  The region is a bit further south and east of where we settled in Haran so many years ago.  The city was located near a bend in the Euphrates in Northern Mesopotamia within Assyria.  I knew that he wanted the best for Isaac, but there were no guarentees.

“So what if we get there and no woman will take him?” I asked.
“Then leave him there and you are free of the task.” Abraham replied.
“You don’t want me to bring him back?” I couldn’t believe it.
“No, do not bring him back.  I trust God will prepare the way, so it is not an issue.” He replied.
“You have to know I am not the greatest at approaching women or matchmaking.” I said.
“Promise me Clay, promise me that you will do this.” Abraham insisted.
“Alright.  I will do it, I swear.”

Isaac’s Party Traveling To Aram-Naharaim The City Of Nahor

The next morning, I met Nathan and Jared who would be going with us. A few of Abraham’s men would also follow.  No expense was spared for this trip.  There were jewels, gold, silver, fine clothing, and of all the things I couldn’t believe, ten camels.  Why did it have to be camels?  I hated camels.

Isaac mounted his horse that morning with us and we began riding.  Thankfully the camels were to be gifted to the young lady’s family.  I was happy to be on my horse.

“You were married were you not?” Isaac asked.
“Yes I was, but don’t model yourself after me.” I replied.

Jared overheard and began laughing.  Isaac knew parts of my story but I wasn’t sure how many details of my past life.  I didn’t want to ruin the poor guys hopes.

“Clay is definitely not a lady’s man” Jared said while laughing.
“What do you mean?” Isaac asked.
“Ever since I have known him, he never has had a woman.” Jared replied.
“May I ask why?” Looking at me Isaac asked with curiosity.

I was beginning to try and figure out how to put it nicely.  Before I could get the words out of my mouth Nathan couldn’t help himself and spoke up.

“It’s because he makes them all angry.” Nathan and Jared were both laughing now.
“It’s a long story Isaac, a very long story.” I said.

After about a week traveling we arrived just south of our intended destination.  Added cargo and company slowed the travel down to about forty or so miles a day.  The little town nearby was called Lahairoi.  Isaac decided to make camp here and this would be as far as he would go.  It was now all up to me.

Jared would stay with Isaac and a couple of Abraham’s men.  Nathan would go with me.  At least Nathan doesn’t make women angry.  Women usually liked him.  I needed some kind of advantage on my side.

Meeting Rebekah For The First Time

We rode for the city of Nahor in Aram-Naharaim.  Arriving outside the city we found a well.  The animals needed water and so did we.  I was about to get water when one of Abraham’s servants stopped me.

He began to pray asking God to send the woman who was to be for Isaac to draw water for us and the animals.  I bowed my head and began to pray the same with him, albeit I had no idea what I was doing.  Opening my eyes as I lifted my head I saw a young woman walking towards us.

“Clay, do you see what I am seeing?” Nathan asked.
“Sure do.” I replied.
“That was fast.” Nathan replied.
“We will see.  There is only one way to know.”

I ran towards her to make sure of the encounter.  As I approached, she saw me.  Pausing as I came closer I saw she was holding a pitcher, and I knew what to ask.

“Would you mind if I had a drink of water?” I asked.
“Yes you may.” She replied.

While she was giving me water, she looked at the animals.  I could see compassion in her eyes.  Beauty isn’t everything.  The way she was poised, unafraid and confident, but also compassionate, it impressed me.  Poise of this nature is a measure of character.

“I will draw water for your animals so they can drink as well.” She said looking at me.

I remained silent as I watched her fill her pitcher multiple times for the camels.  The animals drank and I began to realize that this could be the woman that God intended for Isaac.  Abraham had said the way would be prepared.  It seems as though he was right.

I reached into a satchel to retrieve gold earrings and bracelets.  These gifts would not only act as a promise of good intent and things to come, but also aid in discovering who she was.  As she finished I approached her and placed the bracelets on her wrists and the earrings to her ears.

“Who is your father?” Nathan asked.
“I am Rebekah and my father’s name is Nahor.  We have room for you and your animals for the night.” She replied.

Abraham’s men fell to the ground and began praising God.  This girl was of Abraham’s house, his people.  His men were rejoicing at finding the one who would be for Isaac.  Seeing this the girl ran home.

Rebekah had told us where to find her home.  We began to follow the path she had taken.  The next few hours would be interesting.  Abraham’s head servant would be the one who did most of the talking.

There while over a meal we would share the events leading up to that moment.  It was made clear that we had come to find a wife for Isaac.  It surprised me how well received this information was taken, and our intent in being there.

We stayed the night and for the first time in a while I had a bed to sleep in.  I lay there thinking of all the events which had transpired over the recent years.  I began to think of Shem, the farm, and wondering if there was anything left of it.  In those thoughts I drifted off to sleep.

Dreaming More Dreams

In my sleep I dreamed once again.  This time there were no visions of bright lights or disks.  There was a room and in it were my two children, Kate and Noelle.  I also could see Liza.  It seemed as though they were in distress.

The room was dark.  It was hard for me to see what was going on.  At first there was no sound.  Slowly the room began to become a little lighter.  I could begin to hear what I thought was whispers.

The sound of my children’s voices was faint, but it was as if I could listen hard enough, I could hear them.  Their words were asking for me to come back.  They were asking me to come home.

Liza was laid back in a chair, head tilted, her eyes closed.  Then suddenly the room became brighter.  I could see Liza looking down at me as if I had been laying here in this cot of a bed.  Her words were, “Clay, where are you?”.

I woke suddenly shaking.  Gasping for air I looked around me to find Nathan laying on the floor in the corner of the room.  He was still sleeping.

I stood and walked outside.  Looking up into the night sky I could see all the stars shining brightly.  Indeed, where was I?  I was never supposed to be here.  My dream haunted me as if trying to tell me something.

If only what I was living wasn’t real.  I could feel the earth beneath my feet, the rough wood of the bench beneath me, the smell of wood smoke in the air.  It was all real.  My dream was just a dream.

Rebekah Meets Isaac And Becomes His Wife

The next morning we met Rebekah’s brother Laban once again.  Abraham’s head servant Mikel began telling Laban of our urgency to return to Isaac.  Rebekah’s family wished for her to stay a little longer to prepare, and spend more time before saying goodbye.

Rebekah was called to this little meeting and asked if she would go with us.  She consented to leaving her family right away.  It was almost as if this had been scripted too perfectly.

We would ride back to find Isaac walking towards us.  I became convinced that God had done something inside of Rebekah.  He had to have done something.  Her reaction to seeing Isaac, the urgency in leaving home, and the way she reacted with her family was surreal.  It was as if it was known that we were coming.

When she saw Isaac she jumped from the camel and ran to him.  That night she would become his wife.  I would have never imagined things to go this well or easily.  I had been so afraid that I would mess this encounter up and something go wrong.

Questioning My Purpose

Here I am still in fear of what I may do, or could change, or break.  I realized something in that moment.  Noah was right.  I couldn’t do anything to change what God has purposed to do.  In all actuality, He didn’t need me.

Me being here was a way to provide a small favor by my actions of merely doing as I was asked.  In short, I was nothing but an escort and a witness to how God already worked out the details.

If God can work out so many details so simply, then why was my situation so complicated?  I know God did not need me.  I could have been replaced by anyone for this task.

Coming to this understanding, it left me with the same question.  Why was this happening to me?