Bible Studies from the full Life of Abraham Lesson 18: A Bride for Isaac Genesis 24

Genesis 24 may be the longest chapter within the guide 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 assessment of Abraham happens to be complete, and we come across the main focus change through the patriarch to their son, Isaac. Redemptive history is starting to go toward the 2nd patriarch. This move is created complete by the end for the chapter as soon as the bride that is new Rebekah, comes 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 going toward the satisfaction of this vow to its conclusion.

After Sarah’s death, Abraham nevertheless had yet another task of faith which is why he felt accountable. At a hundred forty yrs old, Abraham ended up being rich sufficient to retire and anchor himself in today’s. Alternatively, he looked towards the future—to the claims of God—and acted on those claims. He knew that the claims Jesus had fond of him will be carried through their son before the of their fulfillment day. Isaac wasn’t just the twice-given miraculous present of God’s love that is faithful he had been additionally the heir towards the promises Jesus had fond of Abraham. exactly How necessary, then, for their son to possess a spouse whom thought in Jesus and who does be bound to your claims of God. Abraham, nevertheless, lived in nation in the middle of godless Canaanites whom his ancestors would one dispossess of their land day. If Isaac married one of these, her ties to her family members would make dispossession that is such. In addition, she’d bring gods that are false your family. Nor could Abraham allow Isaac to go out of the land of vow lest he neglect to get back. Their 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 will not identify the servant Abraham entrusted because of the task of finding a spouse for his son. Probably it absolutely was Eliezer of Damascus who Abraham had when prepared on making their heir (Genesis 15:2). Whoever he had been, he had been a pious man whom believed into the power of prayer. He had been faithful to their master and insistent on seeing their obligation until the end.

In faith, Abraham’s servant lay out with ten camels laden with precious precious jewelry, clothes, along with other gift ideas, maybe as a dowry or even to illustrate Isaac’s capability to help a wife. After traveling about four hundred fifty miles to your town of Nahor, the servant bowed before God in prayer, requesting a collection of stipulations in determining success. Some have actually contrasted this prayer to this of Gideon (Judges 6ff.); other people towards the prayer of Elijah at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). Gideon, in the one hand, had no reason to produce any demand of Jesus. An angel of he has been told by the which he had been usually the one who does beat the Midianites. Rather than acting in faith, Gideon reacted improperly by proposing a few tests for Jesus to respond to. Having said that, Elijah never ever doubted the might of Jesus and forcefully needed fire from paradise to show God’s omnipotence.

Abraham’s servant acknowledged their own weakness and sought divine guidance from Jesus. Unlike Gideon, he would not require a miraculous sign from Jesus. Alternatively, he rested when you look at the providence of Jesus to utilize ordinary activities to expose their might for Isaac’s bride. In the prayer he asked for the industrious, hardworking woman who was simply additionally hospitable and whom embodied the faculties for the godly woman described in Proverbs 31. Using this prayer, the servant put himself in complete reliance on Jesus, just for the sovereign God could steer events in such detailed fashion.

God replied the servant’s prayer before he had been also completed presenting it before Jesus. A new, breathtaking woman offered him water. After he’d completed ingesting, she received water for the camels. This is no chore that is small. Camels can take in twenty to thirty gallons of water—each! Ancient wells were big, deep holes when you look at the planet with steps ultimately causing a springtime. Each drawing of water would need significant work in the lady’s part that is young. If Rebekah’s water container ended up being typical when it comes to time, it might just hold around three gallons of water. That implied that Rebekah needed to just just take between eighty to at least one hundred trips down or over the stairs to your springtime to water the thirsty camels.

Following the chores had been finished, the servant unearthed that Jesus had led him to your family that is right the young woman had been a family member of Abraham. Straight away, the servant bowed down and worshipped God. The servant’s mention of Abraham’s title additionally caused a happy reaction from 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 the house of Abraham’s family members, the faithful servant of Abraham retold the occasions which had happened, very very very carefully including Abraham’s commission to get a bride for their son, his bride-finding quest to Nahor, and their providential encounter with Rebekah. The servant of Abraham ended up asian mail order bride being believing that if Rebekah’s parents understood exactly how God had led him for their child, they might don’t have any option but to allow Rebekah return with him to be Isaac’s bride. While they revealed great hospitality to your servant of the distant general and acknowledged that the problem ended up being from Jesus, the household had been reluctant to send Rebekah off straight away. Her mother and sibling 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 the ring was seen by him and bracelets Rebekah had received (Genesis 24:30). He additionally made mention that is special of camels (v. 31), pets regarded as being an extra also when it comes to rich. Without doubt Laban had been preparing methods to unburden the of their belongings. Whatever plans he might have experienced, current or future (Genesis 29, 30) to get materially from that which rightfully had been guaranteed to Abraham, Jesus utilized him to produce three spouses into the offspring associated with patriarch, therefore going the claims further for their conclusion.

Rebekah, on the other hand, saw the hand of Jesus in the last occasions regarding the time. Like Abraham decades early in the day, she knew that God had been calling her to leave her country that is own household, and her father’s house to visit a land of which she knew hardly any. “Rebekah” seems similar to the Hebrew term for “blessing” (berakah). The blessing Rebekah received on making her house had been much the same to God’s vow provided to Abraham. The blessing included the vow of several descendants, control of urban centers, and dominion over enemies. Although she would not recognize it, the long term bride of Isaac ended up being getting the exact same blessing that Jesus provided to Abraham after he had provided her husband to be being a sacrifice to Jesus (Genesis 23:17).

Rebekah plus the Church

One could just imagine the conversations Rebekah had with Abraham’s servant through that trip that is month-long Canaan. Just just How wondering she will need to have been about her husband to be, about the land to which she had been traveling, concerning the traditions, and a whole lot. Early church dads have actually portrayed the look for Isaac’s bride as analogous utilizing the bride of Christ.

The arranged marriages that have been the custom when you look at the ancient near east illustrate a pattern of elegance. Abraham is believed to represent Jesus the paternalfather seeking a bride for their Son, Jesus Christ. The sovereign God initiated our journey into the church by choosing to take a bride for His Son (Ephesians 1:4) in his grace. Jesus talks of the who He stored as those who the Father provided Him (John 17:6–12).Isaac, the son, is thought to represent Jesus Christ. Isaac had submitted himself to be sacrificed by their daddy. Whereas Abraham didn’t have to perform the sacrifice, God’s Son paid outstanding cost for the redemption of His people—not silver or silver, but his or her own valuable bloodstream had been shed for their bride (1 Peter 1:18, 19). Now, the ascended Christ waits for the time that is glorious He plus 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 very own behalf but constantly pointed to your father and son, therefore additionally the Holy Spirit attracts the church towards the Father through the Son. This is the Holy Spirit whom convicts those inside 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 for the salvation he’s got supplied.

Last but not least, Rebekah represents the church as she trusts just what she’s got discovered in regards to the son through the servant, trusting that their term holds true, and tthe womanefore her voyage is safe so long as she follows their foremost. As Rebekah left all behind on her behalf groom; therefore the church travels through this land that is barren ahead to town whoever designer and builder is Jesus. Even while Rebekah should have listened eagerly towards the servant inform her about her groom that is soon-to-be and claims Jesus had fond of Abraham’s family members, the church eagerly listens each Lord’s Day to your work attained 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 after choices available to Abraham to find a bride for their son. a. He could marry Isaac towards the child of an area Canaanite chieftain. b. He could send Isaac away from Canaan to Haran for a bride. c. He could send his trusted servant to their sibling to locate a bride.2. Where do the servant is supposed by you discovered to pray and worship while he did?3. Was the prayer of this servant an evaluation of God? May we ask of these things of Jesus? 4. just just How are we to find out God’s will for the lives?5. Why did Abraham’s servant feel confident that the very first girl whom offered a glass or two to their camels ended up being the spouse that Jesus had selected for Isaac?6. That is Laban and exactly how did he answer the speech regarding the servant?7. How exactly does Rebekah’s response remind you of Abraham’s faith? exactly What similarities can you see between your blessing Rebekah receives while the blessing Jesus offered to Abraham?8. Do the comparison is thought by you for this chapter to your Church of Jesus Christ is acceptable?9. In just what means does Genesis illustrate Proverbs 3:6?

Rev. Wybren H. Oord could be the co-pastor regarding the Trinity United Reformed Church in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, in addition to editor of The Outlook.