English Language Bible Study Guide for February 1, 2008
Isaac’s mother, Sarah, has died; and Abraham determines to find a bride for his son.
I. Abraham’s charge to his servant (1-9)
1-2: Abraham, a wealthy man, chose his chief servant for a special mission
3-4: Abraham is very specific about the wife which he wants for Isaac
5-8: Abraham releases the servant from his obligation if the woman will not follow him to Isaac
9: Abraham receives the servant’s oath that he will carry out the master’s wishes
II. The servant’s prayerful plan (10-14)
12: The servant prays to the God of his master
13-14: And he proposes a test whereby he may sure to identify the woman whom God has chosen for Isaac
III. Rebekah meets the servant’s requirements (15-20)
15: Before he finishes praying, Rebekah comes to the well
16: She’s good looking, too!
19: Not only does she willingly provide water for the servant, she offers to provide water for his camels, too–he didn’t have to ask
IV. The servant speaks with Rebekah (21-27)
21: At first, he waits to see whether this is indeed the work of God
22: And then he showers Rebekah with gold jewelry
23-24: Indeed, she is of Abraham’s family
25-27: After Rebekah offers to provide food and lodging for the night, the servant is certain that God has providentially brought her
V. Rebekah’s family welcomes the servant (28-32)
28: Is Rebekah’s father dead?
29: Her brother Laban seems to be the “man” of the household
31-32: Provisions are made for the servant from the west and his animals
VI. The servant must tell of his mission (33-49)
33: The excitement of the day prevents him from eating until he has told Rebekah’s family everything
34: “I am Abraham’s servant”
35: “Abraham is wealthy”
36: “The son of his old age is to inherit everything”
37-41: “I came here to find a bride for Isaac”
42-48: “Rebekah is everything I’ve asked for”
49: “Will Rebekah be Isaac’s wife, or not?”
VII. Rebekah’s family agrees to the proposal (50-53)
50: Who can argue with God?
51: You have our consent
52: The servant thanks God (again) for his merciful providence
53: And he showers more gifts upon Rebekah, as well as upon her brother and her mother
VIII. The servant leaves with Rebekah the following morning (54-61)
54-56: Though the family would like to have 10 days to say goodbye to Rebekah, the servant believes that God would have him leave immediately with her.
57: The family allows Rebekah to choose
58: “Will you go with this man?”
59-61: And she did
IX. Isaac marries Rebekah (62-67)
65: Rebekah veiled herself when she learned that Isaac was approaching them
66: The servant gave a report to Isaac
67: The marriage was a simple ceremony
Meditation Points:
- It’s not good that the sons of God should marry the daughters of men
- If Isaac leaves the promised land, he may never return
- Abraham is confident that God will help the servant to find the right bride for Isaac
- Gideon had a fleece (Judges 6:37-40); Abraham’s servant had thirsty camels
- Praying to his master’s God
- How often God answers before we finish praying
- “I being in the way, the Lord led me…” Don’t you want to be in the right place so that God will lead you?
- Not eating until you have fulfilled your (gospel) mission
- “If you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me.” Or I will move on to someone else with this great offer
- Don’t stop until the whole job is completed
- Would you have gone with this man? (Who wants to be a millionaire’s wife?)
- A simple wedding–two people who agree to be husband and wife for as long as they both shall live.
- A wife can bring comfort after a loved one has died.
- If Isaac is a picture of Christ and Rebekah is a picture of Christ’s Bride, the Church; then the servant pictures every believer whose responsibility it is to go into the world and invite men to come to Christ. Our mission is to bring them out of the world and into Christ’s presence. If they will not come, we must know. We dare not eat or lie down until our message be told. Let no man hinder us in our work. Will you come to Christ with me?
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