Where do you go when you nd yourself in the midst of a painful event in your life? Who will embrace you with compassion? Naturally we desire to be with loving friends and family when we experience troubling times.
Abraham acknowledges his son Isaac’s mourning the death of his mother. Recognizing that he already suffers from old age, Abraham feels driven to make every effort to provide his son with someone who will bring love and understanding into his life. Compassion moves the heart of a loving father. Sharing troubling times exempli es compassion at work.
Rebekah chooses to return with the servant to Isaac. Those of her household bless her before she sets out: “May you, our sister, become thousands of myriads; may your offspring gain possession of the gates of their foes.” And so we hear an echo of God’s promise to Abraham of descendants as many as the grains of sand. The promise endangered by Isaac’s being a bachelor moves toward a bright future. Isaac takes Rebekah; she becomes his wife, and he loves her.
That is how it is with God. God’s love comes to us bearing an invitation, offering a future of promise. We, like Rebekah, step into relationship. We cannot escape God’s love. Psalm 139 describes eloquently how even if we “settle at the farthest limits of the sea . . . your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.” Hope and compassion ow from the heart of our God and remind us that we are not alone.