It is difficult to believe that Abraham was motivated by anything other than the normal desires to keep the blood lines pure and what not. It is clear God used this to bring Rebecca into the picture, but Abraham's motivation must be held suspect here. He is sending back the homeland from God called him. He is refusing to take a bride from the land to which God has called him. Though it is clear that God used Rebecca and blessed the union of she and Isaac, the trouble that results is clear.
...that I may make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, (Genesis 24:3)
But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there. ” (Genesis 24:8)
I understand his unwillingness to allow his son to go back to the old land, for God hand brought him out of that land in no uncertain terms. There is no question that Isaac could not go back there, this is good and solid thinking on Abraham's part.
Then the servant took ten of his master's camels and departed, taking all sorts of choice gifts from his master; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor. (Genesis 24:10)
But I've always had a question about the return to Mesopotamia for the wife of Isaac. God had called Abraham out of that land with the full knowledge and intention.
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