Bible Studies in the full Life of Abraham Lesson 18: A Bride for Isaac Genesis 24
Genesis 24 could be the chapter that is longest when you look at the guide of Genesis. With it, the exact same tale is told twice—once since it takes place as soon as since it is reported by Abraham’s servant. God’s testing 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 patriarch that is second. This move is created complete at the conclusion associated with chapter if the brand new bride, Rebekah, gets in Sarah’s tent, thus declaring by herself because the brand brand brand new matriarch of Israel. God’s concern in Genesis is ever going toward the satisfaction regarding the 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 had been rich enough to retire and anchor himself in the present. Alternatively, he seemed into the future—to the promises of God—and acted on those claims. He knew that the claims Jesus had provided to him will be carried through their son through to 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 provided to Abraham. Exactly exactly just How necessary, then, for their son to possess 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 time dispossess of the land. If Isaac married one of them, her ties to her family members would make such dispossession difficult. In addition, she’d bring false gods into your family. Nor could Abraham allow Isaac to go out of the land of vow lest he are not able to return. Their solution would be to send a trusted servant to 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 perfect bride.
The Servant’s Commission
Scripture will not determine the servant Abraham entrusted with all 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 pious guy whom 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 laden with 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 towards the prayer of Elijah at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). Gideon, from the one hand, had no explanation in order to make any demand of Jesus. An angel of the father had told him he ended up being the main one who does beat the Midianites. In the place of acting in faith, Gideon reacted improperly by proposing a number of tests for Jesus to resolve. Having said that, Elijah never ever doubted the might of Jesus and forcefully needed fire from heaven to show God’s omnipotence.
Abraham’s servant acknowledged his very own weakness and desired divine guidance from Jesus. Unlike Gideon, he failed to require a miraculous indication from Jesus. Rather, he rested into the providence of Jesus to make use of ordinary activities to expose their might for Isaac’s bride. In his prayer he asked for the industrious, hardworking woman who had been additionally hospitable and whom embodied the characteristics of this godly woman described in Proverbs 31. With this particular prayer, the servant put himself in complete reliance on Jesus, just for the sovereign God could steer events this kind of detailed fashion.
Jesus responded the servant’s prayer before he had been also finished presenting it before God. A new, stunning woman offered him water. She drew water for all the camels after he had finished drinking. It was no little task. Camels can take in twenty to thirty gallons of water—each! Ancient wells had been big, deep holes within the earth with steps ultimately causing a springtime. Each drawing of water would need significant work from the lady’s part that is young. If Rebekah’s water container had been typical for the it would only hold about three gallons of water day. That implied that Rebekah needed to just simply simply take between eighty to a single hundred trips down or more the stairs towards the springtime to water the camels that are thirsty.
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 member of family of Abraham. Instantly, the servant bowed down and worshipped Jesus. The servant’s mention of Abraham’s title additionally caused a response that is glad Rebekah. She ended up being so full of excitement her family, leaving Abraham’s servant behind that she ran off to tell.
Meeting the household
Coming to the house of Abraham’s family relations, the servant that is faithful of retold the occasions which had occurred, very carefully including Abraham’s payment to locate a bride for their son, his bride-finding quest to Nahor, along with his providential encounter realmailorderbrides login with Rebekah. The servant of Abraham had been believing that if Rebekah’s parents understood just how God had led him for their child, they’d do not have option 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 mother and cousin asked that Rebekah remain before she embark on such a lengthy journey with them a few days (or months.
Already in this chapter we received hints regarding the cunning of Rebekah’s sibling, Laban. He revealed Abraham’s servant great hospitality—after he saw the ring and bracelets Rebekah had gotten (Genesis 24:30). He additionally made unique reference to the camels (v. 31), pets regarded as an extra also for the rich. Without doubt Laban had been preparing approaches to unburden the of their belongings. Whatever plans he may 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 regarding the patriarch, therefore going the claims further with their conclusion.
Rebekah, having said that, saw the hand of Jesus in the last occasions associated with time. Like Abraham decades earlier in the day, she knew that Jesus had been calling her to go out of her country that is own household, and her father’s house to visit a land of which she knew hardly any. “Rebekah” seems just like the Hebrew term for “blessing” (berakah). The blessing Rebekah received on leaving her house ended up being virtually identical to God’s vow directed at Abraham. The blessing included the vow of several descendants, control of metropolitan areas, and dominion over enemies. After he had offered her future husband as a sacrifice to God (Genesis 23:17) although she did not realize it, the future bride of Isaac was receiving the same blessing that God gave to Abraham.
Rebekah together with Church
One could just imagine the conversations Rebekah had with Abraham’s servant throughout 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 using the bride of Christ.
The arranged marriages which were the customized within 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. In the elegance, the sovereign Jesus initiated our journey to the church by choosing to have a bride for their Son (Ephesians 1:4). Jesus talks of these who He stored as those who the Father provided Him (John 17:6–12).Isaac, the son, is thought to express Jesus Christ. Isaac had submitted himself to be sacrificed by their dad. Whereas Abraham failed to have to perform the sacrifice, God’s Son paid a price that is great the redemption of His people—not silver or gold, but their own valuable bloodstream had been shed for their bride (1 Peter 1:18, 19). Now, the ascended Christ waits for that glorious time whenever He as well as the bride are united forevermore (Revelation 19:7–9).
In line with the very early church dads, the servant of Abraham represents the Holy Spirit. Even while the servant never ever talked on their very own behalf but constantly pointed into the dad and son, therefore additionally the Holy Spirit attracts the church towards the Father through the Son. It’s the Holy Spirit whom convicts those inside the church of these misery and sin, reveals that deliverance can be acquired through Jesus Christ, after which calls them to reside in appreciation to Jesus for the salvation He has got supplied.
And lastly, 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 provided that 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 town whoever designer and builder is Jesus. Even while Rebekah will need to have listened eagerly towards the servant inform her about her soon-to-be groom in addition to claims Jesus had provided to Abraham’s household, the church eagerly listens each Lord’s Day to your work attained by the Groom from the cross of Calvary, comprehending that through Him come the claims of reconciliation, forgiveness, and life eternal.
Points to Ponder and Discuss
1. Look at the options that are following to Abraham to locate a bride for their son. a. He could marry Isaac towards the daughter of an area Canaanite chieftain. b. He could deliver Isaac away from Canaan to Haran for a bride. c. He could send his servant that is trusted to cousin to get a bride.2. Where do you assume the servant discovered to pray and worship as he did?3. Ended up being the prayer regarding the servant an evaluation of Jesus? May we ask of these things of Jesus? 4. just How are we to ascertain God’s will for the lives?5. Why did Abraham’s servant feel confident that the very first woman whom offered a glass or two to their camels had been the spouse that God had opted for for Isaac?6. That is Laban and just how did he react to the message associated with the servant?7. So how exactly does Rebekah’s response remind you of Abraham’s faith? Exactly exactly What similarities can you see involving the blessing Rebekah gets plus the blessing Jesus offered to Abraham?8. Do the comparison is thought by you with this chapter towards the Church of Jesus Christ is acceptable?9. In just what methods 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, together with editor of The Outlook.