From Abraham to Isaac
Abraham sends for a wife for Isaac Gen 24
Audio Link
Video Link
Power Point Link
Abraham is now 140 years old, Sarah has been dead for 3
years and Isaac would be 40 years old.
The “servant” is not named but based on precedent who might
it have been?
Eliezer (God is his help) of Damascus (Gen. 15:2)
Why did he place his hand under Abraham’s thigh?
This custom, which is only mentioned here and in Gen 47:29,
was the so-called bodily oath, was no doubt connected with the significance of
the hip as the part from which the posterity issued (46:26), and the seat of
vital power; but the early Jewish commentators supposed it to be especially
connected with the rite of circumcision. -from Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
on the Old Testament
Abraham gave Eliezer one prohibition regarding Isaac. What
was it?
That Eliezer not take Isaac back to Abraham’s homeland under
any circumstances. Perhaps due to the strong paganism of the area or family
ties that would draw Isaac away from the promised land and God.
Abraham trusting God’s promises in the covenant sends
Eliezer to Mesopotamia area, where his brothers had settled, back to his
country and his people. Is Syria where Abraham’s brother Nahor had settled,
Eliezer finds Rebekah (ensnarer), who would be a grand-niece to Abraham and
second cousin to Isaac.
What gift did Eliezer give Rebekah for her kindness?
Two golden armlets and a golden ring. Since the word is
singular, ring, it was probably a nose ring, worn in the left nostril by women
of the middle east even to this day. The weights translate to about a quarter
of an ounce for the ring and about 2 ounces for the bracelets. (1278 an ounce today = $2600 thank you gift
for watering the camels.)
What outstanding traits of a servant can be seen in Eliezer
carrying out of his master’s business?
He seeks God’s help through prayer often. (24:12)
He leaves the results in God’s hands.
He thanks God often. (24:26-27,52)
He is not deterred by obstacles. (24:55-56)
He is faithful and loyal to his master.
Application
Eliezer (God is his help.) When serving God we should…
Pray seeking God’s help.
Trust in God’s providence.
Thank God often.
Persevere through the hinderances and obstacles.
Be faithful and loyal to our Lord and Master.
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and
supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and
supplication for all saints;
Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation;
continuing instant in prayer;
Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and
said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Matthew 10:39 He that
findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall
find it.
After Bethuel (man of God/ dweller in God) and Laban (white)
see that God is at work in this event they determine to send Rebekah to Isaac
but first seek her consent at least as when to leave. Rebekah consents to go
with Eliezer and along with her nurse and several female servants travel back
to meet Isaac.
Isaac is dwelling in Lahairoi. What event had taken place
here with other members of Abraham’s family?
Haggar and Ishmael were saved by God here and promises made
to her for Ishmael.
Rebekah veils herself when she sees Isaac coming toward her.
Why would she veil herself now?
The veiling took place once a woman was married, signifying
that her beauty was only for her husband now.
What is the significance of Isaac taking Rebekah into
Sarah’s tent?
It shows that Rebekah was now the head of the women and all
the women’s affairs as was Sarah before her. It also shows the love and
admiration Isaac had for Rebekah, letting her take the place of his mother.
Generations of Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac.
What was Abraham’s 2nd wife’s name? Gen 25:1
Keturah (incense)
It is possible that Keturah, mentioned now as Abraham’s life
is near ending, was probably a concubine along with Hagar and that the 6 sons
were born before Sarah died but then sent away from Abraham before he died.
This kind of migration and separation of nomadic people was
not abnormal or cruel as we have seen it with Abraham, his brothers, Lot and Ishmael.
It was necessary if their families and their flocks would continue to grow.
What became of the sons of Abraham and Keturah?
They along with Ishmael’s descendants would become the
nations of the middle east and the nations of the Arabian Peninsula.
How old was Abraham when he died?
175 years old.
Abraham was buried in the Cave of Machpelah along with
Sarah. Who oversaw his burial?
Ishmael and Isaac his first son and his heir. This may show
that at least during their lifetime there was communication and no animosity
between their families.
Conclusion and Application
The bride for Isaac
Just as the sacrifice of Isaac was a fore-shadowing picture
for the death of Jesus, the marriage of Isaac also is a picture of God the
Father securing the church as a bride for Jesus Christ, after the Son was
offered on the cross and now waits in heaven for His bride.
The Father (Abraham / God) sends a servant (Eliezer, the
Holy Spirit) to those outside the family (Syrians, Gentiles). The servant gives
gifts to the bride (golden armlets, ring / forgiveness of sin and eternal life)
and the bride consents to go with the servant to live with the Son.
To make one final application, as Rebekah veiled herself to
be exclusively Isaac’s, we as the church, the bride of Christ, should separate
ourselves from this world and set our affection upon our Lord and Savior,
Jesus. We should give ourselves only to
Him.
Colossians 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those
things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on
things on the earth. For ye are dead,
and your life is hid with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear
with him in glory.
No comments:
Post a Comment