While this item of narrative involves neither Isaac, who was not there, nor Rebekah, it highlights the spiritual priorities of crucial importance in the quest for a husband or wife. The noble servant’s first interest was not comfort and fine food, nor did he launch into hours of fascinating talk about these different branches of the family, and their trials and triumphs. His chief concern was the purpose of the Lord, and this was what he wished to speak about. Uppermost in his mind was the remarkable overruling which had led him to this place, and to the fulfilment of his special mission.
What we should most long for in a lifelong partner is someone who sincerely wants to put the Lord first in everything. He or she will be a compulsive talker and inquirer about spiritual things. Other interests may certainly engage every believer, but the Lord’s things should be first and greatest, and Christian service topics ought to surface most. If we find ourselves attracted to someone who just wants to laugh, joke, and talk about earthly things, we should take a firm grip on our emotions and hold back. Pray for that believer, that by the blessing of God, he or she may change, but never say to that person (in some form), ‘If you change, I will be yours.’ In order to obtain that reward he or she may change, but only to please. Wait until the change is voluntary, genuine, deep and lasting. Always we need to ask, ‘How biblical are my priorities in life? And what are his (or her) priorities?’