A Bride for Isaac

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Approximately how old is Abraham? (Scripture does not tell us for sure, but we can approximate. Look at for Sarah’s age at her death and 25:20 for Isaac’s age at his marriage. Remember that Abraham is 10 years younger than Abraham and 24:65 tells us that Isaac is still grieving the loss of his mother).

137 - 140 years approx.

What 3 things are most important to Abraham in this passage?

That Isaac not marry a Canaanite woman.

That Isaac take a wife from Abraham’s family

That Isaac not leave Canaan to go back to the region of Ur

Why do you think Abraham did not want a wife from the land of Canaan? Is this different from today? Why or why not?

The Canaanites were idol worshipers. They also had very erotic ways of worshiping. Sexual intercourse with prostitutes was normal. Abraham wanted a woman who would worship the God of Abraham.

These were also foreigners. Even though Abraham had lived among them a long time, he wanted his son to marry of of “his” people. This is not so uncommon today.

Looking at your above answer, what does this tell you about Abraham’s family back home?

We often imagine that Abraham came from an ungodly place. It is true that there was idol worship in the land of Ur, but there is evidence that Abraham’s family were God-fearing people, though there is evidence later that they do not worship God alone. However, Abraham must have been the deeper committed which is why God called him out from his home. Perhaps God wanted to develop Abraham’s faith away from their less faithful ways. Look at Lot’s relaxed nature when it came to God. He believed in God, but he was not following God as Abraham was. However, Abraham seemed to realize they were the lesser of the two evils when it came to a marriage for Isaac and God seems to honor that.

Why is Abraham so adamant that Isaac remain in Canaan?

Because this is the land God had called them to and the land that God had promised would be theirs.

What does Abraham’s strong opinions on this subject tell you about Abraham?

It is evidence of Abraham’s strong faith. He does not doubt that God will fulfill all he has promised.

What does Abraham say to show his confidence that God is in this?

In verse 7, Abraham shares with his servant the promise God made and he goes so far as to promise the servant that God will lead him.

Read handout regarding oath. See #1

In what circumstance will the servant be released from his oath? Why is this significant?

If the woman does not wish to return with the servant, he will be released from the oath. This is significant and respectful for a culture where the marriage arrangements are made for the woman.

Read 24:10-14

Identify Mari on the map of Genesis and the Travels of the Patriarchs. This is the approximate area of the City of Nahor.

Read attached “Evidence for Serug, Nahor, and Terah. #2

What is the servants attitude toward Abraham and his God?

He seems to have respect for both. He is intent on doing the right thing for his master and seems confident in Abraham’s God.

How does he decide he will recognize the right choice? (verse 14. With first glance this does not seem like much of a challenge. In class we will see why this is more challenging than one would think).

Read attachment #3

Read

The servant has traveled some miles. It would have taken 4-6 weeks to make the journey. What time of day is it when the servant arrives? What does he do?

Evening. He has his camels kneel and wait.

What is he intent upon when he arrives? How is this different from what you or I would do when first arriving in a town for business? Why do you think he is so focused on his quest?

He is focused on accomplishing the task his master sent him to do. After such a long trip, you would expect him to be focused on finding lodging, a meal and a good nights sleep before taking on the business required. However, he seems unable to relax until he finds the reason for which he has come. It is possible that he was really worried and concerned about making the right choice and succeeding in his mission. Abraham was a very successful man and he may have been concerned of failure. Do you ever feel that same concern?

Read verses 19-20. Considering what you now know about camels, how significant was her task? Share your thoughts. What may be an equivalent challenge today?

Consider: one camel, approx 100 trips to well. It says she watered all 10 of his camels util they were finished! :-)

Consider Rebekah’s response and actions. What do you learn about her in this?

She is compassionate, humble, generous, and a hard worker.

What else does the passage reveal about her?

Verse 16 tells us she was beautiful and a virgin who had no relationships with men before.

Essentially the request was a fleece that the servant asked for. Did the servant rely on that answer alone?

No, he took it one step further. See next question.

Look at verse 21. Discuss what you think transpired in that silence. How and what can we learn from this for today?

The fleece appeared answered and yet the servant did not stop there. He waited and watched in silence giving time for God to reveal His answer. After doing both of these, he seems confident that God is in this as we see him give the jewelry to Rebekah, but the final confirmation was when he asked who she was and found her to be the very family he was looking for.. Fleeces are not the best way to determine God’s will. If they are used, they should be accompanied by prayer, waiting and watching for further evidence that God is in the answer.

Notice the servants response in verse 26. Where did he learn to do this?

There are a couple possible reasons for his sudden response of worship. First, Abraham was a good example of instant worship to God for all that He does. Second, it could also show how worried and distressed the servant was about being successful. However, now he sees an end to his worry. It is evident that God is in the situation and he is extremely grateful.

Rebekah was the very first girl that the servant asked. Why do you think he succeeded so quickly?

God was evidently working it all together. God was in the details and put all on place. I can imagine God grinning and being delighted when the servant so quickly bowed in worship acknowledging His hand in the situation.

Looking at verse 28, what do you think is going on in Rebekah’s mind when she heard this?

The name Abraham would have certainly caught her attention. Remember our last week’s discussion. There was no mail service. It was by word of mouth any news was carried from place to place. You can imagine her excitement as she ran to tell her family that Abraham’s servant was here, not to mention the expensive gift he had given her; proof that Abraham must be doing well!

Read -51

List all the things you learn about Laban here. This is not the last we will see of Laban and what we learn here will be useful later on!

He is Rebekah’s brother

The gold seems to have caught his immediate attention.

Verse 31 gives the impression that he is in charge. (Note: Rebekah’s dad is alive, but must be impaired by health. This seems evident since Rebekah refers to it being her mother’s household in verse 28 and the fact that Laban seems to be in charge.)

Laban is most likely the firstborn since he is in charge. He is the son of Bethuel, Nahor’s youngest son. Nahor is Abraham’s brother. See 22:20-24

Laban is either poor or he is kissing up to Abraham’s servant, since he is the one who is washing their feet and taking care to unload the camels and feed them.

Abraham’s servant is once again determined to see to his business before his own needs. Do you have any further thoughts on this?

List below the order of Abraham’s servants speech (vv 34-51). What is he emphasizing? What does this tell you about him and about Abraham?

(v 34) formally introduces himself

(vv 35-36) Tells how God has blessed Abraham

(37-41) Shares Abraham’s desire for his son to marry from family and not a Canaanite woman

(42) Shares about his prayer and fleece to God to find the right woman

(48) Shared his response to the answered prayer and prayed again that it would be revealed she was from the right family

6. (49-51) Requests families response and Laban accepts that it is the will of God

The emphasis is on what God has done. The servant is amazed and wants the family to understand how God has blessed Abraham. He has also put his trust in Abraham’s God and is seeking God’s will.

What reason does Rebekah’s family give for accepting the marriage alliance?

God has obviously ordained it.

Does this prove they were righteous people? Why or why not? Think ahead to the future. Are there any future events that reveal the answer to this question?

They seem to recognize God, however they live in a pagan society that is poly-theistic. That is, they believed in multiple gods. It is possible that they just accepted the God of Abraham as one of many gods. (Later when Jacob marries Rachel, she brings with her the household idols.)

Read Genesis 24:52-61

What is the servants first response to their approval of Rebekah marrying Isaac?

Worships God.

Why do you think the servant is so set on returning so fast?

Some speculate that Abraham was not well when he sent the servant. The servant may have been in a rush to return before Abraham died. He may have also feared a change of mind from the family. He also probably was anxious to share his success and how God had lead and provided the answer for the right person. How do you feel when God has answered a big prayer in your life? Who do you enjoy telling the most; strangers or those who have a common faith that can fully celebrate with you?

(Looking back at Jacob’s story, I cannot help but feel it was for the servants best to leave so quickly. If Laban had more time, who knows what deceit he would have played upon the servant of Abraham. Just a thought!)

Why is the family reluctant to allow her to leave so fast?

It is hard to say goodbye to family. Everything had happened so fast, they were probably not ready to let go yet. Laban was probably hoping to spread out the visit in order to obtain more gifts. :-)

Why do you think Rebekah was so willing to go with this stranger to marry a strange man?

Young girls often look forward to the day when they will marry and have their own home. That has not changed too much today. Some may tell us otherwise, but I still see young girls filled with ideas of marriage and homes. Rebekah would be no different. In fact, it was probably more enticing in that day since there was no real independence for women. They would still seek to their own home. It was probably a romantic adventure for Rebekah and she would be anxious to meet this man Isaac. (It was common for marriages to be arranged, so not knowing her soon-to-be-husband would not be unusual. That part is different from now days.

Rebekah’s family sent her off with the best blessing of the day; many children and that her children would have dominion over their enemies. What would be the blessing today?

Read

Some believe that Abraham has passed by this point since he is not mentioned. Some say he was perhaps on his deathbed when he sent the servant. However, it is just possible he is not mentioned since he was not there in that moment when they arrived. If Abraham had passed by this time, I think it would have mentioned that he was comforted in the loss of his parents, instead of his mother in verse 67.

What does it tell you about Rebekah that she took such care to conceal her face before seeing Isaac?

She was chaste and concerned with proper behavior.

It says Isaac loved her. You can imagine that Isaac is probably somewhat lonely at this point. It would have been a blessing to have a wife/companion in view of his mom’s passing and his father’s age. Some say it was a God action that he loved her so fast, but I am more inclined to believe it was just human nature. A void in his life is now filled. Any further thoughts or comments on this?

Any further questions or comments regarding this chapter?

One thing I thought about was that there is no indication that Rebekah ever saw her family again. Her son Jacob did, but nothing indicates she did. I wonder if it occurred to her when she left that this may be the case. Surely it did some since so many years had passed since Abraham left. We never know what God has in store for us when we follow Him. It is an adventure!