Genesis 24:1-9

Finding God’s Choice: The Story of a Faithful Matchmaker

Bible Passage: Genesis 24:1–9

Genesis 24:1–9 NKJV

Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” And the servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?” But Abraham said to him, “Beware that you do not take my son back there. The Lord God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, ‘To your descendants I give this land,’ He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. And if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be released from this oath; only do not take my son back there.” So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

Teaching: The lesson teaches that God is actively involved in our personal choices, reminding us to seek His will earnestly and with faith. It highlights the role of prayer, obedience, and trust in the Lord's providence.

Big Idea: Faithful prayer and obedience lead to divine guidance in our critical life decisions.

1. Prayerful Beginnings

Genesis 24:1–2 NKJV

Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh,

To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the spirit of the world.

Karl Barth (Reformed Theologian)

987God the Holy Ghost writes our prayers, God the Son presents our prayers, and God the Father accepts our prayers. And with the whole Trinity to help us in it, what cannot prayer perform?—54.342, 343

Charles Spurgeon

Genesis 11:27–50:26 Abraham Blessed (24:1)

Age and wealth are often signs of a blessed life

Genesis, Volume 2 1. Abraham Requires an Oath from His Servant to Find a Wife for Isaac from His Extended Family (24:1–9)

At the death of Sarah Abraham was 137 years of age. Some two or three years later he is described as “old and advanced in years.” With his son Isaac, water rights in Beersheba, a fine family tomb, and the abundance of flocks and herds and other forms of wealth, Abraham had been blessed by God in all things. But one thing remained. His son must have a wife and he must not take the risk of a marriage to a Canaanite woman, who might lead Isaac away from focusing on God’s promise.

Genesis Chapter 24

By putting his hand under Abraham’s thigh (pointing to procreation), the slave would be indicating that the oath had to do with carrying on the chosen line, the line of God’s promise.

This is like a prayer because it is looking for God’s will to be accomplished.

Prayer is done at the beginning of something beneficial

Something we want the Lord to bless.

How important is prayer?

2. Purposeful Decisions

Genesis 24:3–4 NKJV

and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”

You could discuss Abraham’s intentional decision to choose a wife for Isaac according to God’s will, illustrating the importance of aligning our desires with divine guidance. This is a beautiful reminder that aligning with God’s standards requires conscious, faith-led decisions.

3. Pursuit with Faith

Genesis 24:5–6 NKJV

And the servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?” But Abraham said to him, “Beware that you do not take my son back there.

Maybe you can highlight the servant’s concern and Abraham’s assurance that God will guide the mission, underscoring the power of faith amidst uncertainty. It reassures us that God’s faithfulness extends into unknown territories of our lives when we trust Him.

4. Promise-Driven Trust

Genesis 24:7 NKJV

The Lord God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, ‘To your descendants I give this land,’ He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.

Consider focusing on Abraham’s recollection of God’s promises as a catalyst for trust. This verse reaffirms how remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthens our resolve to trust Him in future decisions.

5. Prepared Obedience

Genesis 24:8–9 NKJV

And if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be released from this oath; only do not take my son back there.” So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

You could conclude by emphasizing the acceptance of God’s will regardless of the outcome. Abraham’s instruction signifies that ultimate trust involves readiness to follow God’s plan even if it diverges from our expectations, modeling obedient surrender to His will.

Summary: In Genesis 24:1-9, Abraham entrusts his servant with the significant task of finding a wife for his son Isaac from his homeland, emphasizing prayer, faithfulness, and divine guidance in crucial life decisions.

Application: This passage teaches us the importance of seeking God’s will in our relationships and decisions, encouraging believers to earnestly pray and look for God’s leading, especially in pivotal moments of life.

How this passage could point to Christ: The narrative points to God's providential care and foreshadows Christ as the ultimate Bridegroom, as God orchestrates the unfolding of salvation history through committed relationships, culminating in the Church as the Bride of Christ.