Chapter XXIII: Act II: Scene I

PLACE: Mesopotamia.

The messenger, with his servants, comes to the well just
outside of the city walls, where the women draw water. There
should be no attempt to represent the camels. These may be
indicated by the conversation and left to the imagination.
The messenger, through praying to God, decides how he shall
know which young woman to choose for Isaac. When Rebekah
comes with her pitcher she offers to give water to him and
to his camels also. The man is sure then that Rebekah is
sent by God, and therefore he arranges to go to her father's
house for the night.

This scene should be made very picturesque as well as interesting. The children may look up pictures of the wells of those times and then construct something that will serve the purpose. Pieces of pottery may be brought in on the shoulders of the women to represent water jugs. (Compare with the street scene described in the story of Ruth, chapter vi.)

SCENE II

PLACE: Rebekah's home.

In this scene comes the discussion of Rebekah's leaving home
to become the wife of Isaac. The messenger makes known to
the family that it is Abraham, their kinsman, who is sending
for Rebekah. He gives Rebekah the gifts which his master has
sent--earrings, bracelets, and the like. The family finally
decide that Rebekah may go back to Canaan, but they ask the
servant to let her stay with them for ten days longer. He
is unwilling to wait, and the question is therefore put to
Rebekah. She answers that she will go with him now.