The messenger set out without delay. Taking with him ten camels for the use of his own company and the bridal party that might return with him, provided also with gifts for the intended wife and her friends, he made the long journey beyond Damascus, and onward to the rich plains that border on the great river of the East. Arrived at Haran, "the city of Nahor," he halted outside the walls, near the well to which the women of the place came at evening for water. It was a time of anxious thought with him. Important results, not only to his master's household, but to future generations, might follow from the choice he made; and how was he to choose wisely among entire strangers? Remembering the words of Abraham, that God would send His angel with him, he prayed earnestly for positive guidance. In the family of his master he was accustomed to the constant exercise of kindness and hospitality, and he now asked that an act of courtesy might indicate the maiden whom God had chosen.

Patriarkens tanker gik til hans faders slægtninge i Mesopotamien. Skønt de ikke var fri for afgudsdyrkelse, kendte og tilbad de den sande Gud. Isak måtte ikke forlade Kanaan og rejse dertil, men der var måske en derfra, der ville forlade sit hjem og forene sig med ham for fortsat at tilbede den levende Gud. Abraham overgav den vigtige sag til "sit hus' ældste", en gudfrygtig mand med erfaring og sund dømmekraft. Denne mand havde ydet ham lang og tro tjeneste. Abraham lod tjeneren aflægge en højtidelig ed for Herrens åsyn om, at han ikke ville tage en kanaanæisk kvinde til Isak, men vælge en pige fra Nakors familie i Mesopotamien. Han pålagde ham, at han ikke måtte bringe Isak derhen. Hvis det ikke var muligt at finde en ung pige, som ville forlade sin slægt, skulle tjeneren være løst fra sin ed. Patriarken opmuntrede ham til det vanskelige og krævende hverv med en forsikring om, at Gud ville krone hans rejse med held. Han sagde: "Herren, Himmelens Gud, som tog mig bort fra min faders hus og min hjemstavns land, han vil sende sin engel foran dig."