Seeking the Bride
A Homily for the Eighth Sunday in Trinitytide.
Genesis 24:1-27; Psalm 84.
"And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. And Abraham said unto his eldest ServantServant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my Son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my Son Isaac."
Abraham's story in Genesis 24 appears simple at first. He is working to fulfill God's promise to create a great nation. To find a wife for his son Isaac, Abraham sends his trusted servant back to his homeland to look among their relatives. Abraham takes this task seriously because it is essential for continuing God's plan for blessings to future generations. However, the focus of this story isn't on Abraham but on the servant he sends to find a Bride for his son; the Bride of God's choosing. If we dig a bit deeper, what we find is a portrait of the faithful servant seeking the bride.
First, we notice that even a faithful servant of the Lord can initially pause and question the command. Consider Moses' initial response when the Lord called him to return to Egypt to liberate God's people: 'Who am I,' he said, 'that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?' (Ex 3:11). The servant asks, "What if I find her and she chooses not to return with me?" Instead of receiving a rebuke, he is reassured by Abraham, who replies, "Do not worry. The LORD will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there."
Just as Moses was given the reassurance of Aaron, the servant is assured that he will not be alone but will be accompanied by the angel of the Lord. This serves as a valuable reminder for anyone called to serve God: He is quick to provide assurance and support for any holy endeavor He invites us to pursue. The servant, having received God's reassurance, begins the journey to find the Bride. Although questions and doubts may arise, the faithful servant ultimately trusts in and relies on God's promises, obediently carrying out the Master's commands. As the psalmist says, "Blessed is the man who puts his trust in You."
Next, we should take note of the servant's dependence on God and his reliance on prayer. Upon arriving just outside the city, he stops by a well during the evening, the time when women draw water for their flocks and households. He prays,
"O LORD God of my Master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my Master Abraham. Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: And 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 hast appointed for thy Servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my Master."
The specificity of his prayer is remarkable; he seeks God's favor specifically for the task he has been assigned. It's not merely about achieving personal success but ensuring that his triumph will ultimately honor his Master, the one who entrusted him with this mission. This demonstrates his integrity and purity of heart. His focus is not on self-gain but on fulfilling Abraham's legacy. The faithful servant seeks to glorify the one who has sent him, and we should strive to honor God through our service as well. St. Paul, quoting the prophet Jeremiah, says, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends" (2 Cor 10:16-17). Thus, a faithful servant boasts in God, rather than their worldly achievements or personal successes. He lifts his voice in prayer, asking the Lord for a clear sign to confirm he has indeed found the Bride. "Let it come to pass," he prays,
"that the damsel I ask for a drink will not only quench my thirst but also offer to give water to my camels. Let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac; this is how I will know you've shown kindness to my master."
While this request may appear bold and even reflective of uncertainty, he is filled with confidence that God is guiding him, putting his trust in the Lord to reveal the Bride of His choosing. How easy it is to initially rely on God, only to later lean on our own understanding and strength. Yet, this servant remains steadfast, recognizing his need for divine help every step of the way. He earnestly prays for God's provision, waiting for His answer, His solution, and most importantly, His outcome.
"And it came to pass that before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah emerged. She was the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, who was the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother. She had a pitcher on her shoulder and was very beautiful, a virgin who had never been with a man. She went down to the well, filled her pitcher, and came back up.”
As promised, God provided the bride. When the servant asked her for a drink, she graciously offered him water and, without being asked, also fetched water for his camels so they could drink as well. To confirm that the Lord had indeed made his journey successful, it became clear that Rebekah was from Abraham's family."This brief portrait of the faithful Servant is helpful and worthy of our consideration. But if we dig even deeper, Abraham's faithful servant will lead us to THE faithful servant, the Lord Jesus Christ. Friends, the Father sent the Son to fetch the Bride. He came seeking you and me, his beloved, his betrothed. God sent the servant to seek the Bride. But he also brought forth the Bride of his choosing.
If the servant points to Jesus, the obedient servant sent by God, then Rebekah represents the Church, the Bride of Christ. God establishes a covenant with His people through the institution of marriage. This relationship is more than just a metaphor; it embodies the sacramental reality of God's unwavering love for His people. Through the prophet Hosea, God spoke to Israel, saying, "I will betroth you to me forever: I will betroth you to me with fidelity, and you shall know the Lord" (Hosea 2:21-22 ). He said to Isaiah, "For the LORD delights in you... And as the Bridegroom rejoices over the Bride, so shall your God rejoice over you (Isa 62:5).
The relationship between Israel and the LORD is often depicted as that of a wayward spouse. In Jeremiah 3:1, the lament is expressed: "You have played the whore with many lovers; and would you return to me?" Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, the LORD reaches out with compassion, saying, "like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit... For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you" (Isaiah 54:7). This longing for reconciliation is why Jesus was sent—to reclaim His wayward Bride. His people had strayed from their divine marriage covenant. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus states that He was sent specifically to gather “the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Mt 15:24). Some may wonder, "But didn’t you say He came to seek His bride?" Absolutely! Jesus refers to Himself as the Bridegroom when addressing objections about His disciples not fasting—"Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?" (Mt 9:14-15). So, while the metaphor of lost sheep is significant, the identity of Jesus as the Bridegroom is clear. Tragically, Israel, the Bride He sought to save, chose to reject Him. Yet, the Lord seeks a bride. And brides, as we have learned, are often found at the well.
In the fourth chapter of John's Gospel, we learn of an encounter that reveals profound truths about Jesus and his mission. As he travels through Samaria, he arrives at Jacob's well, weary from his journey. It is here that he meets a Samaritan woman who has come to draw water—a moment reminiscent of the biblical account of Abraham's servant and his quest for a bride. Just as he approached Rebekah at the well, so too does Jesus approach this woman, asking her for a drink. However, this encounter is strikingly different. The Samaritan woman is no pure Rebekah; her life is marked by struggle and sin, and she carries the weight of societal judgment. When Jesus speaks to her, she is taken aback, unsure why a Jew would reach out to her, a Samaritan. Yet, despite her doubts and her past, Jesus remains undeterred. His purpose is clear: he is in search of the Bride, the one who is often overlooked and deemed unworthy.
He offers her the gift of "living water," a symbol of eternal life and grace. This moment highlights a central theme: God seeks not the righteous but those who are imperfect, outsiders to the covenant. Jesus embodies the loving pursuit of the Father, reaching out to those who may feel distant from the promises of God. In this act, he affirms that everyone, regardless of their history, has the chance to be transformed and welcomed into divine fellowship. Just as he sought her, he is seeking all who are lost, any who are not married to the Divine Bridegroom. He is inviting them to the baptismal well of his grace.
And for those who have died with Christ and risen with Him in holy baptism have, as St. Paul puts it, been betrothed to One Husband, the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor 11:2). Beloved, we were like the Samaritan woman, yet He sought a bride—His Church—because He loved her and gave Himself up for her. Why did He do this? "That He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the Church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish" (Eph 5:27). We are called to become the beautiful Bride, like Rebekah—fair to behold and pure in spirit, like the virgin is pure. Therefore, we must heed our Lord's warning and avoid being like the foolish virgins—betrothed and awaiting the return of our Bridegroom to consummate the marriage. We should be prepared, filled with the Holy Spirit, and walking in loving obedience, extending hospitality to the Lord, fulfilling His requests, and serving Him joyfully, just as Rebekah did for Abraham's servant. In essence, by loving and serving Jesus, we ready ourselves for our heavenly Bridegroom, who will take us to the great Wedding Feast of the Lamb. St. John describes this beautifully:
"Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, 'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure'—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints." The angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he declared, "These are the true words of God." Amen.
