Wearily the man sank down on a rock beneath the friendly shade of a tree.  His camels knelt a few feet in front of him.  A slight distance beyond them lay the city of Nahor, its walls emblazoned with fiery gold and crimson by the setting desert sun.  A slight breeze swept the listless landscape and offered a welcome reprieve from the oppressive heat.

The man was conscious of his mission.  His wealthy master sent him on the journey with a singular purpose: to find a bride for his master's only son and heir.  He leaned back against the tree and closed his eyes, deep in thought.

What did one look for when one was searching for a wife for another man?  Should she be beautiful?  He smiled to himself.  He himself was old; Isaac was young, only 40 years of age.  Their ideas of beauty would be sure to differ greatly.  If he searched for a young woman based only upon her outward appearance, how could he be sure Isaac would be pleased?  No, there was something else, something more substantial and lasting that this young woman must possess.

Mentally, the old servant listed the character qualities he though his master would want in a daughter-in-law.  She must be discreet and respectful in her speech.  She must be modest and chaste in her behavior and dress.  Her actions must demonstrate kindness, joyfulness and a willingness to serve.  He sighed heavily.  It was a high standard to meet.  How would he ever find a young lady who met the criteria?  More importantly, how would he discern that she possessed these qualities when he did find her?  What one attribute could he watch for and rely on as an indication of the young woman's character?  Then it came to him.  Initiative.  Of course!

The old servant lowered himself to his knees and lifted his voice to his master's God:

"O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day . . . Behold, I stand here by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.  Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, 'Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,' and she says, 'Drink and I will also give your camels a drink,' - let her be the one whom You have appointed for You have appointed for Your servant Isaac."  (See Genesis 24:12-14)

When he finished praying, he turned his eyes towards the young women approaching the well.  They clustered together in a group, talking and laughing among themselves.  One in particular caught his attention.  She stood a little apart from the others.  Her back was straight, and her eyes were fixed on some distant specter.  An expression of contentment and serenity hovered over her features and lent a hint of brightness to her already smiling face.  She was very beautiful to behold.  He watched as she went down to the well and came back with her pitcher on her shoulder.  He took a deep breath.  He had to start somewhere.

Running to her, he said, "Please let me drink a little water from your pitcher."

The girl stopped and smiled at the dusty, weather-beaten traveler.  Respectfully she let her pitcher she let her pitcher down and said, "Drink, my lord."

He drank deeply from the pitcher; allowing the cool water to refresh him after the day's long journey.  One thought circulated through his mind: Would she pass the test?  He finished drinking and handed the pitcher back to the girl.

Without hesitation she quickly offered, "I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking."

The old servant was silent with amazement.  Could it be possible that his prayer had been answered so quickly?  He watched, wondering, as the girl proceeded to fetch enough water to satisfy all ten of his camels, without any thought of the inconvenience to herself.  Joyfully, he realized that this indeed was the girl God had ordained to be Isaac's bride.

Rebekah passed the test.  She had learned to show initiative.  Had Rebekah acted selfishly that day by the well, she would have missed God's best for her life.  Because she was sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and because she had faithfully built that character into her life from the time she was a little girl, she was rewarded.  God chose her for the wife of a Godly man, who would be the father of an entire nation.  From their children would ultimately come the Son of God, the Messiah, the Saviour of the World.

Would you have passed the initiative test?  Abraham's servant looked for the character quality of initiative above all others.  Have you been faithful to build initiative into your life?  Would you offer to draw water on a hot day for ten thirsty camels belonging to a stranger?  Rebekah did.  Let us follow her example.

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