Fulfilling a Sign

Today's first reading presents us with the "Reader's Digest" version of a rather lengthy story from the Book of Genesis. I am always curious when I notice that the citation at the beginning of the reading indicates that verses have been ignored. Consequently, I looked up the entire story. I would encourage you to do the same.

The length of the story of how Abraham's story finds a wife for his son Isaac can be credited to its meticulous detail. Abraham's servant has been charged with the responsibility of finding a suitable wife for Isaac. He enlists God's help in this task by asking God to fulfill a specific sign which is precisely stated. The fulfillment of that sign is also related with great detail. The entire situation is recounted, again in great detail, to Rebekah's family.

There are two reasons why the sacred writer makes this point so meticulously. First of all, by repeating the details three times, the story is actually easier to memorize. It is important to remember that the stories of this period were not written down immediately but were conveyed orally for generations. Recounting the details three times makes it certain that the story will not be forgotten nor will it be embellished.

However, besides this technical aspect of the story, underlying the great attention to detail is the conviction that this is all God's doing. Abraham's servant enlists God's help to fulfill his promise to Abraham. When he sets the plan in motion, he steps back and lets God take over. In this way he makes a statement about his own faith in God as well as the importance of God's will in his life. Once again, we are reminded that God is in control, that our lives are not our own. We are the instruments through which God acts in this world.