Rebekah Waters Ten Thirsty Camels and Wins a Great Husband. Dr. Chapman Chen
- Chapman Chen
- May 30
- 2 min read

The story of Rebekah unfolds in Genesis 24, when Abraham, now old, instructs his trusted servant Eliezer to journey back to his ancestral homeland to find a wife for his son Isaac—not from among the Canaanites, but from his own kin. Abraham binds Eliezer with a solemn oath, charging him to act with discernment and fidelity.
Eliezer sets out with ten camels, laden with gifts, and arrives at a well outside the city of Nahor. There, he prays for divine guidance, asking that the right woman will offer him water and also voluntarily water his camels—an act of generosity and strength, given the effort required to satisfy ten camels.
Rebekah, a young woman of beauty and virtue, appears and does exactly that. Without being asked, she draws water tirelessly from the well not only for such a stranger as Eliezer but also for all his camels. This seemingly small gesture is, in truth, monumental. It exemplifies a spirit of generous hospitality that extends beyond humans to include animals—individuals often overlooked in ancient narratives. Rebekah does not hesitate or discriminate; she recognises the thirst and need of all beings present. Her willingness to serve without expectation mirrors the ethical impulse to respond to suffering with compassion, no matter the species.
Eliezer, recognising God’s providence, gives her gifts and meets her family. Rebekah consents to leave immediately for a land she has never seen, to marry a man she has never met. When she sees Isaac from afar, she veils herself in modesty and respect. Isaac, grieving his mother Sarah’s death, takes Rebekah into his tent, and she becomes his wife—bringing him comfort and renewing the promise of the covenant.
From a narrative beginning in an arid land with thirsty animals, the story culminates in a new chapter of life, love, and continuity. In a world thirsty for justice, Rebekah’s compassion flows freely like water drawn from a well—offered to every soul in need. Her story reminds us that great destinies often begin with quiet acts of kindness—especially toward the voiceless. #VeganChrist #VeganGod #VeganTheology #VeganChurch
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