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

Genesis 24 could be the longest chapter when you look at the guide of Genesis. With it, exactly the same tale is told twice—once because it occurs and when since it is reported by Abraham’s servant. God’s evaluation of Abraham has become complete, and we see 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 at the conclusion for the chapter as soon as the brand new bride, Rebekah, gets in Sarah’s tent, therefore declaring herself due to the fact brand brand new matriarch of Israel. God’s concern in Genesis is ever going toward the satisfaction associated with vow to its conclusion.

After Sarah’s death, Abraham nevertheless had an additional task of faith which is why he felt accountable. At a hundred forty yrs old, Abraham had been 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 claims Jesus had fond of him could be carried through their son before the day of these satisfaction. Isaac wasn’t just the twice-given miraculous gift of God’s love that is faithful he had been additionally the heir towards the promises Jesus had directed at Abraham. Just How necessary, then, for his son to own a spouse whom thought in Jesus and that would be bound into the claims of God. Abraham, nevertheless, 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 will make dispossession that is such. In addition, she’d bring false gods into 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 reliable servant to look for a wife for Isaac. Since surely as Jesus had supplied the ram in thicket earlier in the day for Isaac (Genesis 22:13), therefore additionally Jesus would offer the perfect bride.

The Servant’s Commission

Scripture will not recognize the servant Abraham entrusted with all the task of finding a wife for their son. Almost certainly it had been Eliezer of Damascus who Abraham had when prepared on making their heir (Genesis 15:2). Whoever he was, he had been a pious guy whom believed into the energy of prayer. He had been faithful to their insistent and master on seeing their obligation until the end.

In faith, Abraham’s servant lay out with ten camels packed with jewelry, clothes, as well as other gift ideas, maybe as a dowry or even illustrate Isaac’s capability 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 to this of Gideon (Judges 6ff.); other people to your prayer of Elijah at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). Gideon, regarding the one hand, had no explanation in order to make any demand of Jesus. An angel of the father had told him which he had been the main one that would beat the Midianites. Rather than acting in faith, Gideon reacted improperly by proposing a few tests for Jesus to resolve. 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 desired guidance that is divine Jesus. Unlike Gideon, he would not require a sign that is miraculous Jesus. Rather, he rested when you look at the providence of God to make use of ordinary occasions to expose their might for Isaac’s bride. In their prayer he asked for an industrious, hardworking woman who was simply additionally hospitable and whom embodied the characteristics of this 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.

Jesus responded the servant’s prayer before he had been also completed presenting it before Jesus. A new, breathtaking woman offered him water. She drew water for all the camels after he had finished drinking. It was no chore that is small. Camels can take in twenty to thirty gallons of water—each! Ancient wells had been big, deep holes into the planet with actions resulting in a springtime. Each drawing of water would require significant work in the young lady’s component. If Rebekah’s water container was typical for the it would only hold about three gallons of water day. That suggested that Rebekah needed to simply simply take between eighty to at least one hundred trips down or more the stairs to your springtime to water the thirsty camels.

Following the chores had been finished, the servant unearthed that Jesus had led him into the family that is right the young woman ended up being a general of Abraham. Instantly, the servant bowed down and worshipped Jesus. The servant’s mention of Abraham’s title additionally caused a happy reaction from Rebekah. She had been therefore full of excitement her family, leaving Abraham’s servant behind that she ran off to tell.

Meeting the household

Reaching your home of Abraham’s family members, the faithful servant of Abraham retold the activities which had occurred, very very carefully including Abraham’s payment to locate a bride for their son, his bride-finding quest to Nahor, and their providential encounter with Rebekah. The servant of Abraham was believing that if Rebekah’s parents understood exactly how Jesus had led him with their child, they might do not have option but to allow Rebekah return with him to be bride that is isaac’s. Even though they revealed great hospitality towards the servant of the remote general and acknowledged that the situation ended up being from Jesus, the household ended up being reluctant to send Rebekah off straight away. Her mom and sibling asked that Rebekah remain with them several days (or months) before she set about such a long journey.

Currently in this chapter we received tips regarding the cunning of Rebekah’s sibling, Laban. He showed Abraham’s servant great hospitality—after he saw the band and bracelets Rebekah had gotten (Genesis 24:30). He additionally made unique mention of the camels (v. 31), pets regarded as being a luxury also for the rich. Without doubt Laban was already preparing approaches to unburden the of their belongings. Whatever plans he may have experienced, current or future (Genesis 29, 30) to achieve materially https://www.rubridesclub.com from that which rightfully had been guaranteed to Abraham, Jesus used him to produce three spouses to your offspring for the patriarch, hence 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 early in the day, she knew that God had been calling her to go out of her country that is own household, along with her father’s house to attend a land of which she knew almost no. “Rebekah” seems similar to the Hebrew term for “blessing” (berakah). The blessing Rebekah received on leaving her house had been virtually identical to God’s promise provided to Abraham. The blessing included the vow of several descendants, control of urban centers, 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 in addition to Church

It’s possible to just imagine the conversations Rebekah had with Abraham’s servant through that month-long day at Canaan. just exactly How wondering she should have been about her husband to be, about the land to which she had been traveling, concerning the customs, and a whole lot. Early church dads have actually portrayed the seek out Isaac’s bride as analogous aided by the bride of Christ.

The arranged marriages which were the custom 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. 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 conserved 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 their dad. Whereas Abraham would not have to accomplish the sacrifice, God’s Son paid outstanding cost for the redemption of His people—not silver or silver, but his very own valuable blood ended up being shed for their bride (1 Peter 1:18, 19). Now, the ascended Christ waits for that time that is glorious He additionally 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 his 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. It will be the Holy Spirit whom convicts those in 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 provided.

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 therefore 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 will need to have listened eagerly towards the servant inform her about her soon-to-be groom as well as the claims Jesus had provided to Abraham’s family members, the church eagerly listens each Lord’s Day towards the work attained by the Groom from the cross of Calvary, realizing 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 his son. a. He could marry Isaac to your child of an area Canaanite chieftain. 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 the servant an evaluating of God? May we ask of these things of Jesus? 4. just How are we to find out God’s will for our lives?5. Why did Abraham’s servant feel certain that the girl that is first offered a glass or two to their camels had been the spouse that God had opted for for Isaac?6. That is Laban and exactly how did he react to the speech for the servant?7. How exactly does Rebekah’s response remind you of Abraham’s faith? Just just just What similarities do you really see amongst the blessing Rebekah gets while the blessing Jesus provided to Abraham?8. Do the comparison is thought by you of the chapter to your Church of Jesus Christ is acceptable?9. In exactly what methods does Genesis illustrate Proverbs 3:6?

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