Genesis

Gospel Light Christian Church
Thru-The-Bible Series (20.1)

The Book of Genesis

Genesis Chapter 24 - Read this Bible passage once through before referring to the notes below.

The Choosing of a Bride for Isaac

v.1-4 According to an old saying, it takes two to make a marriage – a single daughter and an anxious mother! In this account, there is an unmarried son (40 years old, cf. 25:20) and a father “well stricken in age” (v.1, i.e. 140 years old, cf. 21:5), who is concerned at least to some degree. Abraham was deeply concerned that Isaac’s wife believe in the LORD and that her culture and Isaac’s be compatible (“my country” and “my kindred”). Therefore, “the daughters of the Canaanites” (v.3) would be totally unacceptable.

We may observe that the key considerations, in the view of a man who has been walking with God, concerning a marriage partner are a common faith and some common ties. Because he knows that marriage is the beginning of a new journey in life together to the glory of God. Contrary to the popular “dream-ending” in many fairy tales and love-stories, “and they live happily ever after,” it is not a true depiction of married life after the wedding day! A limited focus on outward beauty and romantic thrills can be really fun for a short ride but the journey of a lifetime requires something more substantial and enduring.

v.5-9 The servant was afraid that no woman would be willing to travel that far to meet Isaac and asked permission to take Isaac to Nahor if the woman refused to come to Palestine (v.5). Abraham’s negative response was quick and decisive (v.6) – he was under oath to remain in Canaan and did not desire Isaac to return to Mesopotamia (v.7a). Abraham had the simple but strong confidence that God will provide the right marriage partner for Isaac, who will be compatible with him, especially in faith (v.7b). Abraham was determined that Isaac should only marry someone of like-minded faith in the LORD God and that his son should remain in the land of promise where God had led him to sojourn. In fact, he was so determined that he would rather release his servant from the oath (v.8), “if the woman will not be willing to follow [him]” on the 760 kilometres journey back to Canaan, than allow him to consider any other options. The agreement was settled by the servant putting “his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master” (v.9, cf. 47:29). The thigh or “loins” were regarded as the source of posterity (cf. 35:11; 46:26; Ex. 1:5). Thus, the agreement extended beyond Abraham to his posterity.

v.10-27 The servant’s journey was a wonderful success, not because of his natural talents and abilities, but because of his persistent prayer and sensitivity to the unseen Providential hand of God at work. Upon arrival at the well near Nahor (v.10), he immediately prayed for divine blessing (v.12). This was a definite expression of the faith of the servant in the faithfulness of God of Abraham. His selection of a well as a meeting place was only natural as they were frequent meeting places of townfolk, shepherds and travelers (v.13). The detailed requests of the servant were not arbitrarily chosen for they would indicate a kind and industrious nature in the woman (v.14).

v.15-21 The promptness of God’s response to his request was not unusual (cf. Dan. 9:23; Is, 65:24; Ac. 12:5-19). The description of Rebekah was that she was very beautiful in appearance and a virgin (v.16). Beauty in appearance was never mentioned as a criterion but the LORD provided that for Isaac as well. The purity of the bride is important too. The providential hand of God is evident in the exact fulfillment of the detailed request the servant made (v.17-20). However, instead of hastily jumping for joy at this clear indication of divine intervention, the wise servant knew that his mission was far from successful until the woman and her family recognised and accepted the sign of the LORD’s guidance. Hence, he “wondered at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not” (v.21).

This is highly instructive for believers today in seeking to know the will of God in specific areas of their life. The LORD often guides us through the circumstances of life but where a decision involves the consent of other individuals, we must be careful not to draw a conclusion before they have agreed to what we are asking of them. We should trust the Spirit of God to lead other believers to the same conclusion He is leading us into, if the matter is truly of His will. Should we find ourselves having to fight and force our own way to get another person to give his consent, it indicates that the LORD may desire us to wait or we may be reading the situation wrongly in our excitement.

v.22-27 In gratitude to her willingness to help him, the servant gave her a gold ring and two bracelets (v.22). Wisely and patiently, he made further inquiries on who her parents are and requested for lodging (v.23). Her reply confirmed further that his prayer has been answered according to the direction of his master (v. 24, cf. v.4). The sense of awe and wonder at the Providential hand of God in guiding him so marvelously caused him to “bowed down his head and worshipped God” (v.26-27). How often has God’s answer to our prayers caused us to wonder at the power and kindness of God?

v.28-48 The servant was warmly received by Rebekah’s brother, Laban (v.28-32). Before he would indulge himself in the hospitality of his master’s relatives, the servant of Abraham committed himself faithfully to the discharge of his duty (v.33) – to secure the betrothal of Rebekah. This emphasis is demonstrated by the lengthy retelling of the events by the servant – the narrative is not satisfied to state simply that he told all that had happened (cf. v.66) but rather repeats all the major parts of the events leading up to this moment (v.34-48).

v.49-52 On the basis of this impressive report of the LORD’s Providence in leading him to Rebekah, the servant implored the family to indicate their approval. Nowhere did the servant make use of the weight of these events to demand an approval but he fully respected the right of the family to decide. Thus, he merely requested them to “tell [him]” their decision (v.49). Laban and his father, Bethuel, must have been impressed by the godly sensitivity of the servant for they both immediately declared that “The thing proceeded from the LORD” and gave him Rebekah’s hand in marriage to Isaac (v.50-51). Once again, the servant of Abraham responded to the wonderful Providence of God in his mission by worshipping the LORD (v.52). This response clearly demonstrated that the servant’s faith was in the LORD, who had accomplished the mission. When believers rest in the LORD to do His work in and through them, we can depend on Him to work all things out beautifully and it only remains for us to bow in awe and worship Him.

v.53-60 A final challenge to the faith of the servant arose when the family sought to delay the departure of Rebekah (v.53-55). The ultimate decision to go to Palestine and marry Isaac was Rebekah’s. This was no arbitrarily contracted marriage, arranged without due regard for the emotions and wishes of the young woman. When the tension arose with the disagreement in desires and plans between the family and the servant (v.56), it provided an occasion for the wishes of Rebekah to be consulted (v.57). Once again, the faith of the servant of the LORD was vindicated in the reply of Rebekah, who decided, “I will go” (v.58). When believers rest in the LORD to do His work in and through us, we need not be unduly concerned even with last minute changes and obstacles in our path for the LORD will yet work all things out beautifully. The company departed with the blessings of Rebekah’s family (v.59-60), which harmonised rather closely with the actual Abrahamic blessing of which she was to become a part (cf. 22:17b).

v.61-67 When the travellers entered the land of Cannan, Isaac entered the scene and the couple became husband and wife. When Isaac “brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent” (v.67), Rebekah actually replaced Sarah by entering the tent of Sarah. She would be the new matriarch of the clan, as Isaac would be the new patriarch (cf v.36). The fact that Abraham neither appears on the scene at this point nor is mentioned as the master (cf. v.65) suggests that this story formed a very important part of the passing on of the divine plan for blessing to the next generation. Another significance in this story is that Rebekah was the new matriarch by God’s own choosing, who worked through men of faith (Abraham, in giving the instructions; the servant, in executing the instructions).

Christians today can trust the LORD to give them guidance and success as they act responsibly in obedience to the will of God in their desire to glorify Him in all areas of their life. This means that prayer for guidance through circumstances cannot come from a selfish motive. Only if we are committed to do the will of God faithfully, to subject all desires and actions to seek His glory, then may we expect confidently His Providential Hand to be manifested in guiding us to success.