Of camels and nose rings

Genesis chapter 24

Abraham now decides to get a wife for Isaac. 

One interesting cultural thing in this chapter is that Abraham makes his servant put his hand on his thigh and promise to find a wife for Isaac from his extended family (rather than from the local Hittite community)

Just as well we moved on to a raised hand or a handshake – grabbing each other’s thigh would be a tad awkward these days!

Anyway to cut a long chapter short – Abraham’s servant heads off, finds Rebekah, persuades her to leave with him and become wife to Isaac.

The prayer of Abraham’s servant is quite interesting – I guess it did not work for me so well when I tried something similar as I’m still single. (and have no camels!!)

It is also interesting that part of presenting Rebekah with gifts and claiming her for Isaac’s wife includes a nose ring – This seems a tad on the extreme side, did the girl even have a piercing for a nose ring?

More to the point – fathers, if your daughter comes in with stranger and a nose ring, saying that she is going to marry a distant cousin how would you respond?

Daughters – I do not recommend you try this at home.