260. A WIFE FOR ISAAC

"A prudent wife is from Yahweh"

Abraham was anxious that Isaac should have a suitable wife. In view of God's commendation of Abraham in Gen. 18:19, this was to be ex pected. But Abraham was growing old and he thought that he would soon die. Since the promises made to him depended upon the continua tion of his seed, it was vital that Isaac should marry and have children.

Forty years had passed since the birth of Isaac (Gen. 25:20), but he had not married, and a suitable wife could not be found for him in Canaan. He needed a wife who would respond to the things of God, be a help to him in his spiritual growth, and bring up his children in "the fear and ad monition of the Lord."

Our aim in this lesson is to see: € (i) The importance of wise marriages; (ii) The truth that "a prudent wife is from Yahweh" (Prov. 19:14).

Genesis 24 THE MESSENGER (Gen. 24:1-9).

Abraham commissioned Eliezer, his eldest servant (15:2), to return to his country and kindred, and to find a wife for Isaac. He made Eliezer swear to him that he would not take for Isaac a wife "of the daughters of the Canaanites" (v.3). Abraham knew how alien marriages had led to the destruction of the sons of God in the past (6:1-3). Israel's later history proved the same point.

He sternly forbade Eliezer to take Isaac out of the land of promise (vv. 7, 8), for God had told him to remain therein as a stranger and pilgrim. He told Eliezer that his mission would be blessed by Almighty God, Who would send His Angel before him.

IMPORTANCE OF WISE MARRIAGE.

The contract of marriage is binding, and great care should be exercised from early days to ensure that a wise choice is made. It is important that a man and his wife be of one mind, for otherwise the home will soon become divided and the worship of God hindered or neglected. Arguments will then make the home a place of discord and even of hatred. Hence the importance of Paul's words in 2 Cor. 6:14, and the in struction in such passages as Deut. 7:3-4; Ex. 34:16 and Josh. 23:11-13. These teachings reveal that "mixed" marriages are not only unwise, but also a direct breach of the law of God.

Young people need to remember that true beauty means much more than a pretty face and true wealth is not measured by a bank balance. True beauty often lies unseen in the heart, and is shown by obedience to God, and in loving, thoughtful actions towards others. A pretty face can hide a vain character and a bad temper that can make life unpleasant and difficult; a good bank balance can be an evidence of selfishness and neglect of others. The years go by, good looks fade, and bank balances often fail, but spiritual beauty increases in loveliness with the passing of time, and wealth in the things of God cannot be stolen or lost.

True love between husband and wife grows with the passing of years as they help each other towards the Kingdom of God. Marriage was in stituted by God in order that each party might help the other (Gen. 2:20), but selfishness can destroy that. It is better to sever a friendship with one who does not have a positive interest in the Word of God before it becomes involved. If such an affinity eventually leads to marriage, the end will be unhappiness and may well be at the expense of a place in the Kingdom. Love based upon the Truth is a very wonderful thing, and con cerning this, the wise man wrote in Prov. 18:22, "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord."

Note Paul's words in Eph. 5:22-33. Wives are called upon to be sub missive and loving to their husbands, as the Ecclesia is to Christ (v.22); husbands are to love their wives as "Christ loved the Ecclesia" (v.25) € this was a self-sacrificing love, that caused him to give his life for the benefit of his bride. This self-sacrificing love should be shown by husbands towards their wives.

ELIEZER'S MISSION (Gen. 24:10-67).

Eliezer was a man of faith, educated by Abraham in the "ways of the Lord, to do justice and judgment" (18:19). He made his mission a matter of prayer, asking a sign of God which was granted in a remarkable way as Rebekah came to the well to draw water.

Eliezer learned that the girl's name was Rebekah, a niece of Abraham! The sign was complete. He was conducted to the house of Bethuel, Rebekah's father, where he acquainted Laban, her elder brother, with his purpose.

It appears that Nahor, the brother of Abraham and grandfather of Rebekah, was dead, and that Bethuel her father, being old, was inactive, for Laban takes the prominent part in this chapter, (though Bethuel joins Laban in responding to the main issue € vv.50-51).

Eliezer told Laban of his mission and he could see that God had directed his steps. Eliezer presented the family with gifts from Abraham and obtained permission for Rebekah to return with him.

Rebekah thus came into the Land of Promise as the wife of Isaac, travelling into the south country where Isaac was living at the time. When Rebekah saw Isaac she took a veil and covered her face. This was a custom of the times and indicated modesty and subjection. Rebekah thus showed Isaac that she would be a dutiful wife to him, according to the ex ample commended in 1 Peter 3:6.

A FORESHADOWING OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE.

There are some wonderful lessons in this beautiful story which il lustrate the union of Christ and his Bride. The story is like a parable pointing forward to the time when Jesus Christ (of whom Isaac was a type) will be united with those who have lived according to the command ments of God. They are likened to a "chaste virgin" engaged to be mar ried (2 Cor. 11:2). When the Lord Jesus returns to the earth, these faithful ones will be raised from the dead, given eternal life and united with him. This coming together is likened to a wonderful marriage (Rev. 19:7, 9).

As Rebekah was beautiful (Gen. 24:16), so also will be Christ's Bride, the Ecclesia (Eph. 5:25-31). As Rebekah separated herself from her peo ple to marry Isaac, so the faithful come aside from the world to marry Christ (2 Cor. 6:17). As Laban and Milcah tried to delay Rebekah and she refused to be delayed, saying she would go with the messenger from Abraham, so the faithful also refuse to heed the counsel of those who would hinder them from commencing a journey that will take them to Christ (1 Pet. 1:13; 2 Pet. 3:12). As Rebekah "crossed over" the river and thus became a Hebrew, so the faithful become "Israelites indeed" when they "crossover" from the world to Christ. As Rebekah veiled herself, showing her subjection to Isaac, so the faithful are veiled (i.e. covered, or immersed) at baptism, this being a symbol of their modesty and subjec tion to their master and Lord. Finally at "evening time" Rebekah first saw Isaac, and, marrying him, was placed in charge of Abraham's house (Gen. 24:67), so in the "last days" of the Gentiles, the faithful will see Jesus Christ, and as Abraham's seed, will "inherit the promise" (Gal. 3:29).

A PRUDENT WIFE IS FROM THE LORD.

An outstanding feature of Abraham's quest for a wife for Isaac is his dependence on God's guidance. Abraham knew that a prudent wife is from the Lord (Prov. 19:14), and he was quite prepared to wait even if this journey of Eliezer's proved fruitless. He was not prepared to com promise in this vital matter (Gen. 24:7-8).

In seeking a partner in this life it is necessary that we do our own part, but always in accordance with God's commandments. We should look for spiritual qualities in a future partner for life, such as faithfulness, loyalty, wisdom, a love of God's ways and His word, meekness, kindness, justice. If we desire these characteristics in others then we must cultivate them carefully in ourselves as well (cp. David and Abigail, 1 Sam. 25:23-35, 39-42).

LESSONS FOR US:

• If Abraham's descendants were to hold fast to the Truth, it was essen tial that they should make wise marriages.
• Abraham charged Eliezer with the commission of finding a wife for Isaac from among his own people and not among the Canaanites.
• This mission was carried out in a wise and prayerful way, and as a result, God blessed what was done in the provision of Rebekah. She em braced the Truth and married "the son of promise".
• The marriage of Isaac and Rebekah is a pattern of the ecclesia's union with Christ, the true Bridegroom.

REFERENCE LIBRARY:

"The Ways of Providence" (R. Roberts) € Chapter 3

"Story of the Bible" (H. P. Mansfield) € Vol. 1, Pages 130-137

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:

1. Why is it important in choosing a partner in our life?
2. Explain briefly what you know of Paul's instructions to husbands and wives in Ephesians 5.
   1. How did Eliezer find Rebekah?
   2. How does his example provide us with guidance when choosing a partner for life?

ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1. Illustrate how the faithfulness of Abraham and Eliezer was shown when they sought a wife for Isaac.

2. How does the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah foreshadow the mar riage of Christ and his bride?