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

Genesis 24 could be the longest chapter into 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 evaluation of Abraham has become complete, and the focus is seen by us change through the patriarch to their son, Isaac. Redemptive history is just starting to go toward the 2nd patriarch. This move is created complete at the conclusion for the chapter once the bride that is new Rebekah, comes into Sarah’s tent, therefore declaring by herself given that new matriarch of Israel. God’s concern in Genesis is ever going toward the fulfillment associated with the vow to its conclusion.

After Sarah’s death, Abraham nevertheless had an additional task of faith which is why he felt responsible. At a hundred forty years of age, Abraham ended up being rich adequate to retire and anchor himself in today’s. Alternatively, he seemed towards the future—to the claims of God—and acted on those claims. He knew that the promises Jesus had provided to him will be carried through their son before the of their fulfillment day. 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. Just exactly just How necessary, then, for their son to own a spouse whom thought in Jesus and that would be bound towards the claims of Jesus. Abraham, nonetheless, lived in nation surrounded by godless Canaanites whom his ancestors would one day dispossess of the land. 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 the household. 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 find a spouse for Isaac. Because clearly as Jesus had supplied the ram in thicket early in the day for Isaac (Genesis 22:13), therefore additionally Jesus would offer the bride that is perfect.

The Servant’s Commission

Scripture will not determine the servant Abraham entrusted aided by the task of locating a wife for their son. Almost certainly it absolutely was Eliezer of Damascus who Abraham had when prepared on making his heir (Genesis 15:2). Whoever he had been, he had been a man that is pious thought into the energy of prayer. He had been dedicated to their master and insistent on seeing their duty through to the end.

In faith, Abraham’s servant lay out with ten camels laden up with precious precious jewelry, clothes, as well as other gift suggestions, possibly as a dowry or even to illustrate Isaac’s power to help a spouse. After traveling about four hundred fifty kilometers towards the town of Nahor, the servant bowed before God in prayer, asking for a couple of stipulations in determining success. Some have actually contrasted this prayer to that particular of Gideon (Judges 6ff.); other people to your prayer of Elijah at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). Gideon, in the one hand, had no explanation to create any request of Jesus. An angel of god had told him which he ended up being the only who beat the Midianites. As opposed to acting in faith, Gideon reacted improperly by proposing a number of tests for Jesus to answer. 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 ask for a miraculous indication from Jesus. alternatively, he rested within the providence of Jesus to make use of ordinary activities to expose their might for Isaac’s bride. In the prayer he asked for an industrious, hardworking woman who had been additionally hospitable and whom embodied the faculties for the godly woman described in Proverbs 31. With this particular prayer, the servant placed himself in complete reliance on Jesus, just for the sovereign God could steer events this kind of detailed fashion.

Jesus replied the servant’s prayer before he had been also completed presenting it before God. A new, breathtaking woman offered him water. After he’d completed consuming, she received water for the camels. This is no tiny task. Camels can take in twenty to thirty gallons of water—each! Ancient wells had been big, deep holes into the earth with actions resulting in a springtime. Each drawing of water would need substantial work regarding the young lady’s component. If Rebekah’s water container ended up being typical for the time, it could just hold around three gallons of water. That designed that Rebekah had to simply just simply take between eighty to at least one hundred trips down or over the stairs towards the springtime to water the camels that are thirsty.

Following the chores had been completed, the servant found that Jesus had led him into the right family as the young girl ended up being a general of Abraham. Instantly, the servant bowed down and worshipped Jesus. The servant’s mention of Abraham’s title also caused a glad reaction from Rebekah. She had been so full of excitement that she went down to tell her family members, making Abraham’s servant behind.

Meeting the household

Coming to your home of Abraham’s family members, the faithful servant of Abraham retold the activities that had occurred, very very 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 how God had led him with their child, they might don’t have any option but to allow Rebekah return with him to be Isaac’s bride. 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 before she embark on such a lengthy journey with them a few days (or months.

Currently in this chapter we received tips regarding the cunning of Rebekah’s sibling, Laban. He revealed Abraham’s servant great hospitality—after the ring was seen by him and bracelets Rebekah had gotten (Genesis 24:30). He additionally made unique reference to the camels (v. 31), pets regarded as a luxury also when it comes to rich. No doubt Laban had been preparing how to unburden the of their possessions. Whatever plans he may have experienced, current or future (Genesis 29, 30) to get materially from that which rightfully ended up being guaranteed to Abraham, Jesus utilized him to produce three spouses towards the offspring of this patriarch, therefore going the claims further for their conclusion.

Rebekah, having said that, saw the hand of Jesus in the last activities for the time. Like Abraham decades early in the day, she knew that Jesus had been calling her to go out of her country that is own family members, along with her father’s house to visit a land of which she knew little. “Rebekah” appears similar to the Hebrew term for “blessing” (berakah). The blessing Rebekah received on making her house had been quite similar to God’s vow provided to Abraham. The blessing included the vow of several descendants, control of towns, and dominion over enemies. Although she didn’t recognize it, the near future bride of Isaac ended up being getting exactly the same blessing that Jesus offered to Abraham after he had provided her husband to be as best russian bride service a sacrifice to Jesus (Genesis 23:17).

Rebekah therefore the Church

You can just imagine the conversations Rebekah had with Abraham’s servant through that trip that is month-long Canaan. Just just exactly How inquisitive she must-have been about her husband that is future the land to which she had been traveling, in regards to 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 which were the customized when you look at the ancient near east illustrate a pattern of elegance. Abraham is believed to express 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 these who He spared as those who the paternal Father provided Him (John 17:6–12).Isaac, the son, is believed to express Jesus Christ. Isaac had submitted himself to be sacrificed by their dad. Whereas Abraham didn’t 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 precious bloodstream had been shed for their bride (1 Peter 1:18, 19). Now, the ascended Christ waits for the glorious time when He as well as the bride are united forevermore (Revelation 19:7–9).

In line with the church that is early, the servant of Abraham represents the Holy Spirit. Even while the servant never ever talked on his behalf that is own but pointed to your dad and son, therefore additionally the Holy Spirit attracts the church towards the Father through the Son. It will be the Holy Spirit who convicts those inside the church of the misery and sin, reveals that deliverance is present through Jesus Christ, after which calls them to reside in appreciation to Jesus when it comes to salvation he’s got supplied.

And lastly, Rebekah represents the church as she trusts exactly what she’s got discovered in regards to the son through the servant, trusting that their term holds true, and therefore 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 land that is barren ahead to town whoever designer and builder is Jesus. Even as Rebekah should have listened eagerly to your servant inform her about her groom that is soon-to-be and claims God had directed at Abraham’s household, the church eagerly listens each Lord’s Day into the work attained by the Groom in the cross of Calvary, understanding 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 daughter of a nearby chieftain that is canaanite. b. He could deliver Isaac away from Canaan to Haran for the bride. c. He could send his trusted servant to their cousin to get a bride.2. Where do the servant is supposed by you discovered to pray and worship as he did?3. Had been the prayer associated with servant an evaluating of Jesus? May we ask of these things of Jesus? 4. How are we to find out God’s will for the lives?5. Why did Abraham’s servant feel certain that the girl that is first offered a glass or two to their camels ended up being the spouse that Jesus had selected for Isaac?6. Who’s Laban and exactly how did he react to the message for the servant?7. So how exactly does Rebekah’s response remind you of Abraham’s faith? Just exactly What similarities can you see between your blessing Rebekah receives and also the blessing Jesus offered to Abraham?8. Do you believe the comparison for this chapter towards the Church of Jesus Christ is suitable?9. With what methods does Genesis illustrate Proverbs 3:6?

Rev. Wybren H. Oord may be the co-pastor associated with Trinity United Reformed Church in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, therefore the editor of The Outlook.