CSSA 2-1-10 - A BRIDE FOR ISAAC

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10. A BRIDE FOR ISAAC

Abraham's faith in the promises which God had given him had been tested in a number of ways. Isaac was born according to God's promise after a long period of waiting, when Abraham and Sarah were both very old. This was a test of Abraham's faith because becoming parents at the age of Abraham and Sarah was quite impossible normally (Heb. 11:11; Rom. 4:18-21). The greatest test came when Abraham was commanded to sacrifice Isaac, the son of the promise, and the only one through whom the promise could be fulfilled (Heb. 11:17-18).

The promises were to be fulfilled through Abraham and his seed. Abraham was therefore anxious that Isaac should find a suitable wife through whom, after many generations, Jesus would be born as Abraham's seed.

This lesson shows that God guides His servants according to His purpose, and also the importance in God's eyes, of marriage in the Truth.

ABRAHAM INSTRUCTS HIS SERVANT.

Abraham was determined that Isaac's wife should not come from among the godless Canaanites around him on all sides. He knew these people did not worship the one true God who had called him and given him these precious promises. To allow Isaac to marry a daughter of the families of the land would lead to the loss of the faith which he had so carefully developed in his whole household (Gen. 18:19). Marriage with a godless partner would weaken that faith as it would today.

Abraham instructed his servant Eliezer to travel to the land from which he had come, and there choose a suitable wife for Isaac from among his relations. Isaac himself was not to leave the Land of Promise, but Abraham believed that a suitable wife would be brought to him (Gen. 24:3-5). Normally this would be a very difficult task. A long journey lay ahead. To find the right wife and encourage her to travel many long miles to marry a man she did not know might be impossible. Thus Abraham showed his prayerful trust in God by allowing Him to govern the choice of a wife for Isaac, his son. Abraham assured his servant Eliezer that God would prosper his journey to find a wife for Isaac.

TWO WAYS MEET

So well had Abraham instructed his household in the truth of God that his servant Eliezer had great faith in God's care and providing. When he reached Mesopotamia where Abraham's relations lived, this belief and confidence in prayer was seen. Of course, God had long foreseen the need for Isaac to marry. He had prepared Rebekah from childhood to be a suitable companion for the seed of promise, Isaac. She too was instructed in the knowledge and fear of Yahweh. Now that time had come for Isaac and Rebekah to meet so that the purpose of God might be fulfilled: "In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Gen. 12:3; Gal. 3:8).

THE SERVANT AT THE CITY OF NAHOR

The servant asked God in prayer to show him the woman He had chosen. "And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I say, 'Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also!: let the same be she that Thou hast appointed for Thy servant Isaac" (v.14). When the prayer was answered, he praised God and offered thanks on Abraham's behalf. Notice that he did not rely on his own judgment in selecting a wife for Isaac, but trusted in God who was watching over all that was happening. It was clear that Rebekah was God's choice by the way she fulfilled all the requirements. She was a daughter of Abraham's relations (w. 15, 24). She was not as yet married (v.16). Her faith was great. She was prepared to leave her family and travel to the Land of Promise to become Isaac's wife (v.58). She was humble and became a good wife to Isaac. What a wonderful answer to the prayers of Abraham and Eliezer!

THE IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE IN THE TRUTH

Marriage is made before God and so great care should be taken to make sure that a wise choice is made. It is important for both husband and wife to be of one belief. Otherwise the home may be disturbed by argument, and sometimes worse things. The worship of God is hindered and can be neglected. Such a marriage would be a compromise and the Truth would suffer. Ease, pleasure-seeking and worldly interests are naturally appealing to human nature. The other partner would see nothing wrong in these things. Because of this the apostle Paul warns, "Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers" (2 Cor. 6:14).

Where there is oneness of mind in the Truth there is love, warmth and respect for each other. How can the commandment to children, "Obey your parents in the Lord" be fulfilled as God intended, if one parent is in the Truth and the other not (Eph. 6:1)? Thus we can see the importance of Paul's words in 2 Cor. 6:14, and the instructions under the Law (Deut. 7:3-4). Marriage to an unbeliever is not only unwise, but is a breach of God's commandments (see 1 Cor. 7:39). Look at what happened in the following cases through inter-marriage: Gen. 6:2; 1 Kings 11:1-8; Neh. 13:23-31.

When we are older and ready for baptism and later marriage, we too should choose a God-fearing partner. In this way alone can marriage be happy and children be brought up in the "fear and admonition of the

Lord".

Rebekah had been brought up in the discipline and instruction of Yahweh. Therefore she was a fit marriage partner for the seed of the promise. Time proved that this was so, and Rebekah became a source of comfort to Isaac (Gen. 24:67) and a spiritual strength in their walk together in faith.

Abraham realised the need of a proper wife for Isaac in order that God's promise might be fulfilled. He confidently believed that God would provide her. In order to help Isaac to marry in the Truth, Abraham had to send his servant to his own people, who also respected God. God Himself had guided the life of Rebekah and prepared her for Isaac.

REFERENCE LIBRARY:

"The Story Of The Bible" (H. P. Mansfield)—Pp. 130-138

"The Ways Of Providence" (R. Roberts)—Pp. 29-33

"Christadelphian Instructor"—Questions and Answers Nos. 132-137

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:

Why was Abraham so careful in arranging for Eliezer to find a wife for Isaac?
How did Eliezer find a wife for Isaac?
What qualities did Rebekah possess to make her a suitable wife for Isaac?
How important is it for brethren and sisters to marry only those in the Truth?