Bible Studies in the Life of Abraham Lesson 18: A Bride for Isaac Genesis 24
Genesis 24 may be the chapter that is longest within the book of Genesis. As it happens and once as it is reported by Abraham’s servant in it, the same story is told twice—once. God’s evaluating of Abraham is currently complete, and the focus is seen by us shift through the patriarch to their son, Isaac. Redemptive history is starting to move toward the patriarch that is second. This move is made complete by the end associated with chapter once the brand new bride, Rebekah, goes into Sarah’s tent, therefore declaring by by herself whilst the brand brand brand new matriarch of Israel. God’s concern in Genesis is ever moving toward the satisfaction regarding the vow to its completion.
After Sarah’s death, Abraham nevertheless had yet another task of faith which is why he felt responsible. At a hundred forty yrs old, Abraham ended up being rich adequate to retire and anchor himself in our. Rather, he seemed towards the future—to the claims of God—and acted on those claims. He knew that the claims Jesus had fond of him could be carried through their son before the time of these satisfaction. Isaac had not been just the twice-given miraculous present of God’s faithful love, he had been additionally the heir to your claims Jesus had directed at Abraham. Exactly How necessary, then, for their son to possess a wife who thought in Jesus and that would be bound towards the promises of Jesus. Abraham, nonetheless, lived in nation surrounded by godless Canaanites whom his ancestors would one time dispossess of the land. If Isaac married one of these, her ties to her household would make such dispossession difficult. In addition, she’d bring gods that are false the household. Nor could Abraham permit Isaac to go out of the land of vow lest he neglect to get back. His solution would be to send a servant that is trusted locate a spouse for Isaac. Since clearly as Jesus had supplied the ram in thicket early in the day for Isaac (Genesis 22:13), therefore additionally Jesus would offer the perfect bride.
The Servant’s Commission
Scripture doesn’t determine the servant Abraham entrusted aided by the task of locating a wife for their son. Almost certainly it had been Eliezer of Damascus who Abraham had as soon as prepared on making their heir (Genesis 15:2). Whoever he was, he had https://mail-order-bride.net/ukrainian-brides been a man that is pious thought within the energy of prayer. He had been faithful to his master and insistent on seeing their obligation until the end.
In faith, Abraham’s servant put down with ten camels full of precious precious precious jewelry, clothes, along with other gift suggestions, maybe as a dowry or even illustrate Isaac’s power to help a spouse. The servant bowed before God in prayer, requesting a set of stipulations in determining success after traveling about four hundred fifty miles to the city of Nahor. Some have actually contrasted this prayer compared to that of Gideon (Judges 6ff.); other people to your prayer of Elijah at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). Gideon, in the one hand, had no good explanation in order to make any demand of Jesus. An angel of the father had told him which he ended up being the only that would beat the Midianites. In place of acting in faith, Gideon responded improperly by proposing a number of tests for God to resolve. Having said that, Elijah never ever doubted the might of Jesus and forcefully needed fire from paradise to prove God’s omnipotence.
Abraham’s servant acknowledged their own weakness and desired divine guidance from Jesus. Unlike Gideon, he failed to require a sign that is miraculous Jesus. Alternatively, he rested into the providence of Jesus to utilize ordinary occasions to expose their might for Isaac’s bride. In the prayer he asked for an industrious, hardworking woman who was simply additionally hospitable and whom embodied the characteristics associated with the godly woman described in Proverbs 31. The servant placed himself in complete reliance on God, for only the sovereign God could steer events in such detailed fashion with this prayer.
God replied the servant’s prayer before he had been even completed presenting it before Jesus. A new, gorgeous woman offered him water. After he’d completed ingesting, she received water for the camels. This is no chore that is small. Camels can drink twenty to thirty gallons of water—each! Ancient wells had been big, deep holes in the planet with actions resulting in a springtime. Each drawing of water would need significant work in the young lady’s part. If Rebekah’s water container ended up being typical when it comes to time, it might only hold around three gallons of water. That implied that Rebekah had to simply simply simply take between eighty to a single hundred trips down or more the stairs towards the springtime to water the thirsty camels.
Following the chores had been finished, the servant found that Jesus had led him to your family that is right the young woman ended up being a family member of Abraham. Straight away, the servant bowed down and worshipped Jesus. The servant’s mention of Abraham’s title also caused a response that is glad Rebekah. She ended up being therefore filled up with excitement that she went down to tell her household, making Abraham’s servant behind.
Meeting your family
Coming to your home of Abraham’s family relations, the faithful servant of Abraham retold the activities which had happened, very carefully including Abraham’s payment to locate a bride for their son, his bride-finding quest to Nahor, along with his providential encounter with Rebekah. The servant of Abraham had been convinced that if Rebekah’s parents understood exactly just just how Jesus had led him for their child, they would haven’t any choice but to allow Rebekah return with him to be bride that is isaac’s. The family was reluctant to send Rebekah off immediately although they showed great hospitality to the servant of their distant relative and acknowledged that the matter was from God. Her mom and cousin asked that Rebekah remain with them several days (or months) before she attempt such a long journey.
Currently in this chapter we received tips regarding the cunning of Rebekah’s bro, Laban. He revealed Abraham’s servant great hospitality—after he saw the band and bracelets Rebekah had gotten (Genesis 24:30). He additionally made mention that is special of camels (v. 31), animals regarded as an extravagance also when it comes to rich. Without doubt Laban had been planning approaches to unburden the of their belongings. Whatever plans he might have experienced, current or future (Genesis 29, 30) to achieve materially from that which rightfully ended up being guaranteed to Abraham, Jesus utilized him to provide three spouses into the offspring for the patriarch, therefore going the claims further with their conclusion.
Rebekah, having said that, saw the hand of Jesus in the last activities of this time. Like Abraham decades earlier in the day, she knew that God had been calling her to go out of her own nation, her family members, and her father’s house to visit a land of which she knew almost no. “Rebekah” seems similar to the Hebrew term for “blessing” (berakah). The blessing Rebekah received on making her house ended up being quite similar to God’s vow directed at Abraham. The blessing included the vow of numerous descendants, control of towns, and dominion over enemies. Although she would not understand it, the near future bride of Isaac ended up being getting exactly the same blessing that Jesus offered to Abraham after he had offered her husband to be as being a sacrifice to Jesus (Genesis 23:17).
Rebekah as well as the Church
One could just imagine the conversations Rebekah had with Abraham’s servant during that month-long day at Canaan. Exactly exactly exactly How inquisitive she will need to have been about her husband that is future the land to which she ended up being traveling, in regards to the traditions, and a whole lot. Early church dads have actually portrayed the seek out Isaac’s bride as analogous with all the bride of Christ.
The arranged marriages that have been the customized when you look at the ancient near east illustrate a pattern of elegance. Abraham is thought to express God the paternalfather seeking a bride for their Son, Jesus Christ. Inside the elegance, the sovereign God initiated our journey to the church by deciding to have a bride for His Son (Ephesians 1:4). Jesus talks of these who He stored as those who the paternal Father provided Him (John 17:6–12).Isaac, the son, is thought to express Jesus Christ. Isaac had submitted himself to be sacrificed by his dad. Whereas Abraham failed to have to accomplish the sacrifice, God’s Son paid a price that is great the redemption of His people—not silver or silver, but his or her own valuable bloodstream was shed for their bride (1 Peter 1:18, 19). Now, the ascended Christ waits for that time that is glorious He while the bride are united forevermore (Revelation 19:7–9).
Based on the church that is early, the servant of Abraham represents the Holy Spirit. Even while the servant never ever talked on their behalf that is own but pointed to your daddy and son, therefore additionally the Holy Spirit attracts the church towards the Father through the Son. This is the Holy Spirit whom convicts those in the church of these misery and sin, reveals that deliverance can be obtained through Jesus Christ, then calls them to reside in appreciation to Jesus when it comes to salvation he’s supplied.
And lastly, Rebekah represents the church as she trusts just what she’s got discovered regarding the son through the servant, trusting that their word holds true, and that her voyage is safe so long as she follows their foremost. As Rebekah left all behind on her behalf groom; so that the church travels through this barren land looking ahead to city whoever designer and builder is Jesus. Even while Rebekah will need to have listened eagerly to your servant inform her about her soon-to-be groom in addition to claims God had directed at Abraham’s household, the church eagerly listens each Lord’s Day towards the work achieved by the Groom in the cross of Calvary, comprehending that through Him come the claims of reconciliation, forgiveness, and life eternal.
Points to Ponder and Discuss
1. Think about the options that are following to Abraham to locate a bride for their son. a. He could marry Isaac to your child of an area chieftain that is canaanite. b. He could deliver Isaac away from Canaan to Haran for the bride. c. He could send his servant that is trusted to sibling to get a bride.2. Where do the servant is supposed by you learned to pray and worship while he did?3. Ended up being the prayer of this servant an assessment of Jesus? May we ask of these things of Jesus? 4. just How are we to find out God’s will for the lives?5. Why did Abraham’s servant feel confident that the girl that is first offered a glass or two to their camels ended up being the wife that Jesus had plumped for for Isaac?6. That is Laban and exactly how did he answer the message regarding the servant?7. So how exactly does Rebekah’s response remind you of Abraham’s faith? Exactly exactly just What similarities do you really see between your blessing Rebekah gets plus the blessing Jesus provided to Abraham?8. Do you would imagine the comparison of the chapter into the Church of Jesus Christ is suitable?9. With what means does Genesis illustrate Proverbs 3:6?
Rev. Wybren H. Oord could be the co-pastor associated with Trinity United Reformed Church in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, and also the editor of The Outlook.