Bible Studies in the Life of Abraham Lesson 18: A Bride for Isaac Genesis 24
Genesis 24 may be the longest chapter when you look at the guide of Genesis. On it, the exact same tale is told twice—once since it occurs and when as its reported by Abraham’s servant. God’s screening of Abraham happens to be complete, and the focus is seen by us 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 of the chapter once the brand new bride, Rebekah, goes into Sarah’s tent, therefore declaring by herself once the new matriarch of Israel. God’s concern in Genesis is ever going toward the satisfaction for the 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 sufficient to retire and anchor himself in our. Rather, he seemed into the future—to the claims of God—and acted on those claims. He knew that the promises God had directed at him will be carried through their son before the day of the satisfaction. Isaac had not been just the twice-given miraculous gift of God’s faithful love, he had been additionally the heir to your claims Jesus had directed at Abraham. just exactly How necessary, then, for his son to possess a wife 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 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 false gods into the household. Nor could Abraham allow Isaac to go out of the land of vow lest he neglect to return. Their solution was to send a servant that is trusted find 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 provide the perfect bride.
The Servant’s Commission
Scripture will not identify the servant Abraham entrusted aided by the task of locating a spouse 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 had been, he had been a man that is pious thought when you look at the energy of prayer. He had been dedicated to their insistent and master on seeing their obligation until the end.
In faith, Abraham’s servant lay out with ten camels packed with precious jewelry, clothes, as well as other gift ideas, perhaps as a dowry or to 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 that particular of Gideon (Judges 6ff.); other people towards the prayer of Elijah at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). Gideon, in the one hand, had no explanation to help make any demand of Jesus. An angel of the father had told him which he had been usually the one that would beat the Midianites. Rather than acting in faith, Gideon reacted improperly by proposing a few tests for God to respond to. Having said that, Elijah never doubted the might of Jesus and forcefully required fire from paradise to show God’s omnipotence.
Abraham’s servant acknowledged their own weakness and desired divine guidance from Jesus. Unlike Gideon, he would not require a sign that is miraculous Jesus. Alternatively, he rested into the providence of God to utilize events that are ordinary expose their might for Isaac’s bride. Inside the prayer he asked for an industrious, hardworking woman who was simply additionally hospitable and whom embodied the faculties associated with the 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 guide events in such detailed fashion.
Jesus replied the servant’s prayer before he had been also completed presenting it before Jesus. A new, gorgeous woman offered him water. She drew water for all the camels after he had finished drinking. This is no tiny task. Camels can drink twenty to thirty gallons of water—each! Ancient wells had been big, deep holes within the planet with actions ultimately causing a springtime. Each drawing of water would need significant work in the young lady’s component. If Rebekah’s water container ended up being typical when it comes to it would only hold about three gallons of water day. That implied that Rebekah needed to simply simply simply take between eighty to at least one hundred trips down or more the stairs to your 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 girl 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 additionally caused a response that is glad Rebekah. She ended up being therefore filled up with excitement that she went down to tell her family members, leaving Abraham’s servant behind.
Meeting the household
Coming to the house of Abraham’s loved ones, the servant that is faithful of retold the activities which had occurred, very carefully including Abraham’s commission to locate a bride for their son, his bride-finding quest to Nahor, and their providential encounter with Rebekah. The servant of Abraham ended up being convinced that if Rebekah’s parents understood exactly exactly how Jesus had led him with their child, they might haven’t 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 with them a couple of days (or months) before she set about 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 gotten (Genesis 24:30). He additionally made mention that is special of camels (v. 31), pets regarded as being an extra also for the rich. No doubt Laban had been preparing techniques 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 was guaranteed to Abraham, Jesus used him to provide three spouses to your offspring associated with the patriarch, hence moving the claims further with their conclusion.
Rebekah, having said that, saw the hand of Jesus in the last occasions associated with the day. Like Abraham decades early in the day, she knew that Jesus ended up being calling her to go out of her own country, her family members, and her father’s house to attend a land of which she knew almost no. “Rebekah” appears just like the Hebrew term for “blessing” (berakah). The blessing Rebekah received on making her home had been virtually identical to God’s promise directed at Abraham. The blessing included the vow of numerous descendants, control of towns, 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 additionally the Church
One could just imagine the conversations Rebekah had with Abraham’s servant through that month-long day at Canaan. Just How interested she will need to have been about her husband that is future the land to which she ended up being traveling, concerning the customs, and a whole lot. Early church dads have actually portrayed the look for Isaac’s bride as analogous aided by the bride of Christ.
The arranged marriages that have been the customized within the ancient near east illustrate a pattern of elegance. Abraham is thought to represent Jesus the daddy seeking a bride for their Son, Jesus Christ. In their elegance, the sovereign God initiated our journey in to the church by deciding to take 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 daddy. Whereas Abraham didn’t have to accomplish the sacrifice, God’s Son paid a fantastic cost for the redemption of His people—not silver or gold, but their own valuable bloodstream ended up being shed for their bride (1 Peter 1:18, 19). Now, the ascended Christ waits https://mail-order-bride.net/ukrainian-brides for that glorious time whenever He in addition to bride are united forevermore (Revelation 19:7–9).
Based on the very early church dads, 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 dad and son, so additionally the Holy Spirit draws the church into the Father through the Son. This is the Holy Spirit whom convicts those inside the church of the misery and sin, reveals that deliverance can be obtained through Jesus Christ, after which calls them to call home in appreciation to Jesus for the salvation He has got supplied.
Last but not least, Rebekah represents the church as she trusts exactly what she’s got discovered regarding the son through the servant, trusting that his term does work, and that her voyage is safe provided that 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 to your servant inform her about her groom that is soon-to-be and claims Jesus had fond of 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 promises of reconciliation, forgiveness, and life eternal.
Points to Ponder and Discuss
1. Look at the after choices available to Abraham to locate a bride for their son. a. He could marry Isaac towards the child of an area chieftain that is canaanite. b. He could send Isaac out of Canaan to Haran for a bride. c. He could send his servant that is trusted to sibling to get a bride.2. Where do you assume the servant 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. just How are we to ascertain God’s will for our 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 Jesus had plumped for for Isaac?6. That is Laban and exactly how did he answer the speech for the servant?7. How exactly does Rebekah’s response remind you of Abraham’s faith? Exactly exactly just What similarities do you really see involving the blessing Rebekah gets while the blessing Jesus offered to Abraham?8. Do the comparison is thought by you for this chapter towards the Church of Jesus Christ is suitable?9. In exactly what means does Genesis illustrate Proverbs 3:6?
Rev. Wybren H. Oord may be the co-pastor of this Trinity United Reformed Church in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, and also the editor of The Outlook.
