I can't imagine leaving your family for what is probably forever to marry some guy you had never even seen. Simply because you watered some guys camels. Yet Rebekah did. That's faith -- or else you just need an adventure. I think it's the former one. One thing I noticed was the nose-ring that they gave her. I guess that was the predecessor to the rings that people wear today, but I hadn't really thought about it.
After Abraham died, the Bible says that both Isaac and Ishmael buried him. I was glad to see that the boys put aside their differences to take care of their father. Apparently Abraham mattered a great deal to both of them.
The story then shifts to Isaac and his family. We learn about twins who were very different. Esau was all hairy and liked to hunt. Jacob was smooth and liked to stay at home. Dad favored the hunter; Mom favored the homebody. A definite setup for some division in the family.
Esau wasn't too good with decisions. He traded his birthright for a single meal. And I just don't think lentil stew would be worth that.
After the story of Abimelech, there's one other verse that draws my attention. In v. 35, we see the first in-law problems. Esau's wives made life miserable for Isaac and Rebekah. I wonder from the quick mention if he talked this over with his parents first or just went and did it. I kind of assume the latter if he was marrying pagan women. Different cultures. Different values. That usually means problems.
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