Rebekah et Eliézer by Alexandre Cabanel
Abraham's servant sought? Shall I tell of
Her strength and beauty or her opportune
Passing just then to draw water thereof?
Shall I expound her solicitous heart
To not only give drink to a stranger
But relinquish her moment to depart
To draw for all his ten camels water?
You know the story already, and how
The servant then gave her bracelet and ring,
And asked if her household would allow
Him provision, rest, and lodging.
How blessed that servant must've been
When he heard that her family of origin
Was Nahor, the brother of Abraham
And they'd gladly provide for all the men.
Upon hearing this, the old servant fell down
Upon his knees to worship the Lord
For making plain how to fulfill the vow
To Abraham just as he had implored.
"Such attentive kindness and love has he,"
Said the servant as he worshipped there,
"For not forsaking my master's family
And leading me here through his gentle care."
Then Rebekah's family, her brother
Laban, invited the servant within
His home, unharnessed the camels, gave fodder
To them too and washed the feet of the men.
But when food was set before him to eat,
He refused to start 'til he'd said his piece,
Then tells them all without being brief,
This tale again. At end, you've read it twice.
Did we need to hear it again from the
Servant's mouth as told to Laban?
Was there something there that we didn't see
That needs repeating so we won't mistaken?
The task was given. The journey was long.
The test was put forth. The sign was fulfilled.
It was God who worked. Now don't get that wrong.
It was he who directed, who guided, who willed.
And in the retelling, Laban can't mistake,
Neither we who reread, the miracle
Of God's interacting with us for our sake
Proving Heaven's link to earth empirical.
Like the ladder in Jacob's yet-born dream
This attestation of connection from Hea'en
Must be repeated here and on every ream
Of printed Word from Gutenburg spread
'Til no man deny it was God who led
Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob
And a nameless servant who to Heaven said,
"I stand by the spring, give me drink from thy cup."
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