Level 2
Lesson 1: Rebekah's Decision

There was once a young girl whose name was Rebekah. Rebekah helped her mother in the home. Near the door of Rebekah’s house there stood a small pitcher or water jar. All the water Rebekah’s family used had to be carried in this pitcher and brought from the well.

Every evening Rebekah would lift the jar to her shoulder. Down the street she would go to the well which was just outside the city. Deep, deep into the well she would dip her pitcher until it was full of water. Then once more she would lift the heavy jar to her shoulder and carry it home.

One evening when Rebekah was getting the water at the well she saw some camels coming. She counted ten of them. On some of the camels men were riding and some camels had bundles tied to their backs. The men and the camels looked very dusty and very tired. As Rebekah stood watching, one of the men came quickly toward her.

“Will you let me have a little water from your pitcher to drink?” he asked.

“Drink sir,” said Rebekah, smiling, for she had been taught to be polite to strangers. She quickly lowered her pitcher so the man could have all he wanted.

As he was drinking, Rebekah looked at the tired and thirsty camels. “I will get some water for your camels too,” she said kindly. Then she filled her pitcher again and emptied it into a trough that stood near.

The thirsty camels crowded around. They stretched out their long necks and drank the water. How good it tasted! Soon it was all gone.

Again Rebekah filled her jar and emptied it for them. Again the camels drank it all. How thirsty they were! Back and forth from the well to the trough went Rebekah with her pitcher until the camels had all they wanted.

The man was pleased with the girl that was so polite to strangers. He opened his bag and took out a gold ring and two gold bracelets. He gave them to Rebekah. Then he said, “Is there room in your father’s house for us to stay tonight?”

“Indeed, yes,” said Rebekah. ”There is room, and there will be straw and food for your camels too.”

Rebekah ran ahead to tell her family company was coming. As soon as she told the news, her brother started out to meet the strangers. He gave them food and straw for the camels. He took the men into the house. There Rebekah and her mother had supper ready for them.

“I will not eat until I tell you why I have come,” said the man who had talked to Rebekah. ”I am the servant of your cousin Abraham who lives far away. Abraham has sent me to find a wife for his son Isaac. At the well I met Rebekah, and she was very polite and so kind to me, a stranger. God spoke in my heart and told me she was the one to become Isaac’s wife. I pray that you will let her go with me, to marry Isaac the son of my master.”

Everyone looked at Rebekah. ”Will you go Rebekah?” they asked.

“I will go,” answered Rebekah.

And the next day Rebekah said good-bye to her mother and brother, and she rode away to her new home, where she was very happy.