CSSA 1-1-09 - CHOOSING A WIFE FOR ISAAC

Gjuha Albanian

9. CHOOSING A WIFE FOR ISAAC

€ Isaac took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her."

Aim

To show that we must seek God's help in choosing life-long companions

Abraham was now an old man. Sarah his wife had died when she was 127 years old. The promises were "to Abraham and to his seed". They would have to come to pass through Isaac, and then through his children and so on until the time came when Jesus would be brought forth as Abraham's seed (Matt. 1:1; Gal. 3:16). Because of this, Abraham was anxious that Isaac should have a suitable wife. In Abraham's day it was the custom for the parents to arrange marriages for their children and usually the couple did not meet until the wedding took place. It was necessary that Isaac's wife should be a worshipper of Abraham's God, to help him throughout their life together. The people of Canaan were wicked and Abraham did not want Isaac to marry a Canaanite. He then remembered his own people living in Haran and he decided that he should seek there for a suitable bride for Isaac (Gen. 24:4).

Genesis 24

ELIEZER SENT TO FIND ISAAC A WIFE: Genesis 24:1-7

Abraham had a very trustworthy servant, Eliezer, who was "ruler over all that he had". He was called into the tent of Abraham and given the task of seeking a bride for Isaac.

He had to make a solemn promise: "Thou shalt not take a wife unto my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell" (v. 3). It was an extremely difficult task. A long journey lay before him to Haran, where, even to find the right wife and encourage her to travel many long miles to marry a man she did not know, might be impossible. What if she would not come with Eliezer? Should he take Isaac back to Haran? No. Abraham was very definite about that - "Bring not my son thither (to that place) again". He reminded his servant of the promise of God that "his seed" would inherit this land and his son must stay in the land and dwell there (v.7).

ELIEZER MEETS REBEKAH: Genesis 24:7-24

The faithful servant set off, remembering the solemn promise he had made to Abraham to bring back a wife for Isaac because his family must remain in the land. On the long journey he was accompanied by servants on ten camels, bearing beautiful gifts of jewels and clothing, as it was the custom for a very rich man like Abraham to send presents to the family of the bride.

Abraham had encouraged Eliezer by telling him that God would help him in his task. "He shall send his angel before thee and thou shalt take a wife for my son from thence (from that place)."

At evening time on the last day of his journey, he rested at the well outside the city of Haran and watched the girls of the city come to draw water. He offered a prayer to God that he might be given a sign to find the right girl. He was to watch for a maiden who would give him a drink of water and offer to water his camels also (v. 14).

Even before he had finished praying, Rebekah appeared, and when the servant asked for a drink she offered to water his camels also. It seemed as though God had answered his prayer almost immediately. When she had finished her task, he gave her some of the valuable gifts he had brought and asked her, "Whose daughter art thou?" (v. 23). How pleased he was when he found that she came from the very family he was seeking. Here before him was the bride for Isaac. Eliezer was indeed thankful to God, and his faith had been rewarded. God had answered his prayer.

ELIEZER ARRANGES THE MARRIAGE: Gen. 24:25-51

Rebekah led Abraham's servant to her home and family and to her brother Laban. That evening there was much talking and the servant was anxious to tell why he had come even before he ate any food. "I will not eat until I have told mine errand" (v. 33). He spoke of his master, Abraham, and of his great wealth, "flocks, herds, silver and gold", and how he had been guided by God to Rebekah. Laban and his family agreed that she should return with the servant. "Let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken" (v. 51).

REBEKAH MEETS ISAAC: Genesis 24:63-67

Rebekah was willing to return with Eliezer to Canaan. With faith and trust, she departed with her maidens and Deborah her nurse, on the long journey into an unknown land to marry Isaac, whom she had not seen. Rebekah separated herself from her family and crossed over the river to become a "Hebrew". She followed in the footsteps of Abraham to be joined to Isaac as his bride and faithful companion. When they drew near to the camp, Rebekah saw Isaac walking in the fields, and quickly placed her veil over her face. This was the custom of the time to show that she was modest and as a sign that she should be a dutiful wife.

Isaac and Rebekah were married immediately, and there was great joy in the household of Abraham.

LESSON FOR US

Marriage may seem a long way off to younger ones, but it takes a long time to understand the importance of choosing the right husband or wife. Only God's Word will help us to make the right choice. Read the Bible every day with your family to find out how God wants you to grow up. Then you will know how to choose friends who are right for you.

Always choose your friends carefully € never mix with those who will lead you away from God's ways, but choose friends who love God and are trying to learn His Word and obey Him too.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

1. Eliezer's Mission - Abraham's servant showed himself to be a man of faith, making his task a matter of prayer and waiting for God's guidance (Gen. 24:12-14). He did not choose Rebekah for her beauty (v. 16), but because God gave the sign that He had chosen her for Isaac (vv. 15-20). When God answered his prayers, "he bowed his head and worshipped the LORD" (w. 26, 52).

2. The Importance of Wise Marriage € Marriage is a life-long contract, and we must be careful that the best choice is made, prayerfully seeking God's help in the matter. The important things to remember are:

A man and his wife should have the same beliefs so that the home will not be divided, and great joy will be shared in the worship of God. Read Proverbs 8:22: "Whoso
findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of Yahweh".
True beauty is that which is in the heart. It is shown by obedience to God and in loving thoughtful actions towards others.

QUESTIONS

Short Answers

Who was sent on an important errand by Abraham?
Where did Abraham send his servant to seek a wife for Isaac?
What did Eliezer take with him on the journey?
Whose help did the servant ask so that he might choose a good partner for his master's son?
What was the sign Eliezer asked for to show him which was the right wife for Isaac?
Where did Rebekah go to live?
Where did Rebekah first see Isaac?

Detailed Answers

Why was it necessary to journey so far to find a suitable wife for Isaac?
What important lesson do we learn from the story of choosing a wife for Isaac?