The big ideaThe Bible tells us a kind girl's welcome at a well began Isaac and Rebekah's family.
How it works
Abraham was old. He sent his oldest servant far away to find a wife for his son Isaac, and the servant loaded ten camels with gifts.
At sunset the camels knelt by a well outside the city of Nahor. The servant prayed for a sign: the girl who gave him a drink, and his camels too, would be the one.
Before he had finished, Rebekah came with a jar on her shoulder. She gave him a drink and then watered all ten camels, again and again.
Her family blessed her, and she said, I will go. She rode a camel across the sand, and Isaac saw the camels coming one evening.
The story in a row.
Example 1: Count the camels
The servant had 10 camels, and they were all thirsty.
Say Rebekah has watered 4 of them.
10 − 4 = 6
So 6 camels are still waiting.
Example 2: A well in those days
A well was where a whole town came to get its water.
Women came out at the hour for fetching water.
Rebekah went down the steps to the spring and filled her jar.
Example 3: Who is who?
Abraham sent the servant, and Isaac was his son.
Rebekah was Bethuel's daughter and Nahor's granddaughter.
Her brother Laban ran out to welcome the servant.
Example 4: More than anyone asked
The servant asked only for a little water.
Rebekah gave him a drink and held the jar for him.
Then she offered to draw water for all the camels too.
Words to know
well
A deep hole dug to reach water under the ground.
servant
Someone who works for a family and helps with its needs.
Watch out
The servant asked for a little water. Rebekah offered the camel water herself.
In those days people did not travel in cars or send messages by phone. A servant carried the message, and Rebekah rode a camel.
The servant gave Rebekah a gold ring and two bracelets, not a crown.
Try it
What did the servant ask Rebekah for?
How many camels did Rebekah water?
Rebekah watered 4 camels, then 3 more. How many of the 10 were still waiting?
What did Rebekah say when her family asked if she would go?
Answers: 1. A little water · 2. All ten · 3. 3 · 4. She said, I will go
Try at homeWith a grown-up, do one kind thing for someone today without being asked, as Rebekah did.
For grown-upsAsk your child to do one kind thing today without being asked, as Rebekah did, and notice how it felt. The story tells what she did; it does not need a lesson tacked on.
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