A Wife for Isaac

Genesis 24:1-67

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Introduction: Practically speaking, this chapter is a wonderful illustration in how to fulfill God’s will in our lives. Abraham knew that Isaac needed a wife. However, he was determined that he have the right wife. He will not compromise by sending Isaac away from the promised land (v.6) but he has confidence that God will go before his servant and prepare the way (v.7).

The servant is an example of obedience and faith. He prays for the right girl to be revealed and God answers his prayer in a miraculous way. Also, notice how he refuses to be hindered from his purpose (v.55-56). He is determined to fulfill his master’s will and will not rest until the task in completed (see v.33).

I. THE MISSION: TO FIND A WIFE FOR ISAAC (24:1-9)

A. Abraham Gives Charge to His Eldest Servant (v.1-4)

B. The Servant Seeks Clarification of the Mission (v.5-6)

C. Abraham Shows His Confidence in the Lord (v.7-9)

II. THE SEARCH: REBEKAH FOUND IN ANSWER TO PRAYER (24:10-28)

A. The Servant Journeys to Mesopotamia (v.10-11)

B. The Servant Prays For Guidance (v.12-14)

C. Rebekah Fulfills the Servant’s Prayer (v.15-20)

D. Rebekah Reveals Her Family to the Servant (v.21-28)

III. THE ARRANGEMENTS: LABAN & BETHUEL CONSENT (24:29-53)

A. Rebekah Brings the Servant to Her Family (v.29-32)

B. The Servant Reveals His Mission (v.33-48)

C. Laban & Bethuel Agree to Rebekah’s Marriage (v.49-53)

IV. THE CHOICE: REBEKAH CHOOSES TO GO (24:54-60)

A. The Servant Refuses to be Hindered (v.54-56)

B. Rebekah Agrees To Go With the Servant (v.57-60)

V. THE MARRIAGE: ISAAC & REBEKAH ARE MARRIED (24:61-67)

A. Isaac Sees the Camels Coming (v.61-63)

B. Rebekah Covers Herself with a Veil (v.64-65)

C. Isaac and Rebekah are Married (v.66-67)

CONCLUSION: God gave to Isaac the wife just right for him. What do you need the Lord to do in your life? Are you being obedient to Him? Are you confident that He will take care of the need? Are you praying? Are you refusing to hindered from your God-given tasks? Are you submissive to His will in your life?

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY OR RESEARCH:

1. Why did the servant put his hand under Abraham’s thigh in order to make an oath (v.2-3,9)?

2. Why did Abraham not want Isaac to marry a daughter of the people in the land where they lived (v.3)?

3. What are some other examples of where God sends His angel to do something on the earth (v.7)? [You could use a concordance to find references.]

4. Why was it a good test to see if the woman would offer to water the camels also (v.14)?

5. What do we know about Laban from verses 29-31? What motivates him?

6. Compare verse 45 with Isaiah 65:24. What is the meaning of these verses? Can you think of any examples?

7. Why do you think that Rebekah’s family wanted to delay her leaving (v.55)?

8. Why did Rebekah put a veil over her when she saw Isaac (v.65)?

ALTERNATIVE OUTLINE: The Seeking of a Bride

INTRODUCTION: This outline makes an application of the story of this chapter by using the main characters as types. This story is a beautiful picture of Jesus taking the church as His bride. In this typology, Abraham is a type of God the Father, Isaac is a type of God the Son, the servant is a type of the Holy Ghost and Rebekah is a type of the church. Notice how the following points now apply.

I. THE SERVANT SOUGHT A BRIDE FOR THE FATHER (v.1-9; Acts15:14)

II. THE SERVANT REVEALED THE FATHER AND THE SON (v.34-36; John 16:13-15)

III. THE SERVANT OFFERED THE SON TO THE BRIDE (v.48-49; John 15:26; 16:8)

IV. THE BRIDE ACCEPTED THE OFFER OF THE SERVANT (v.54-60; Romans 10:8-13)

V. THE BRIDE WAS KEPT PURE FOR THE SON (v.16,44; Ephesians 5:25-27)

VI. THE BRIDE LONGED FOR A LAND YET UNSEEN (v.58,61; Colossians 3:1-2; Hebrews 11:10,13-16)

VII. THE BRIDE FULFILLED THE DESIRE OF THE SON (v.67; Ephesians 1:22-23; 1Corinthians 15:28)

MEMORY VERSES:

1. Ephesians 5:25

2. Genesis 24:58

3. Hebrews 11:10

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