GOD ESTABLISHES ISAAC’S FAMILY
Genesis 24:1-67
Key Verse: 24:58
“So, they called Rebekah and asked her, ‘Will you go with this man?’ ‘I will go,’ she said.”
Welcome to UD Sunday worship service. We learned the death of Sarah and Abraham’s buying of Sarah’s burial site in chapter 23 through M. Joshua’s message. This chapter stands between Sarah’s death and Abraham’s death. It is a transitional chapter from Abraham and Isaac. Abraham recognized the importance of finding a suitable wife for his son Isaac before his death. He wanted to pass the torch of God’s covenant to his son. So, today’s story is the marriage between Isaac and Rebekah. There are several characters to enable this marriage possible. I would like to examine those characters and their roles in the story of Isaac and Rebekah. Let’s learn how each person played an important role in establishing Isaac’s family. I pray that God may establish many Godly families like Isaac among us. May God bless us to find a suitable wife for all young men in UD ministry!
There are three main characters who played an important role in establishing Isaac’s family.
First, Abraham. (1-9)
Abraham plays a significant role in arranging the marriage of his son Isaac to Rebekah. Look at verses 1-4. “Abraham was now very old, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. 2 He said to the senior servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh. 3 I want you to swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, 4 but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac.” Abraham advanced in his age, and he received abundant blessings from God in every way possible. But he had a lingering problem that Isaac did not establish a family. Before his death Abraham wanted to find a suitable wife for Isaac. This was his last mission. So, he initiates the process of finding a wife for Isaac. Abraham wanted to secure the continuation of God’s covenant. So, Abraham called his senior servant and commissioned him with the responsibility of finding a suitable wife for Isaac from among Abraham’s relatives. He entrusted his senior servant probably Eliezer and gave him a task to find a woman of faith for Isaac. What type of woman was he looking for Isaac’s wife? A foxy Canaanite woman or a super model or an intelligent woman? No, Abraham was looking for a woman of faith. Abraham was a wealthy man. He was living in the promised land, Canaan, the land flowing with milk and honey. He must have seen many attractive and wealthy women who might make good marriage candidates for Isaac. And Isaac, although he was quiet and obedient, must have thought about these girls too. It is natural for sinful man not to think about a girl’s inner character, but to only look at her outward appearance when choosing a girl to marry. Some men, in their ignorance and pride, think that if they find a woman who fits their human standards, they can marry her, then later, make her into a woman of faith. The men of Noah’s time thought this way. The men of Abraham’s time must have been the same. But this never works. A man who marries a worldly woman becomes a worldly man. Marriage is the measure of one’s faith; it is the touchstone of faith. Abraham remembered God’s promise. He knew that the Canaanite culture and religion were very corrupt. Abraham did not want to compromise with it. Abraham wanted his son Isaac to marry by faith. It was important that Isaac’s family really belong to God and not be tainted with human compromise. So, Abraham charged his servant with the task of finding a wife for Isaac. Here a wife searching operation began.
Abraham’s servant was a thoughtful man who knew how to get things done. He
immediately put his finger on the hardest part of Abraham’s commission. Look at verses 5. “5 The servant asked him, “What if the woman is unwilling to come back with me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the country you came from?” This is a legitimate question. There was no internet or Instagram to share pictures at that time. What kind of woman will marry to a stranger she never met and so the woman may be unwilling to come to the land where Isaac was living. What was Abraham’s answer? Look at verses 6-9. 6 “Make sure that you do not take my son back there,” Abraham said. 7 “The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me out of my father’s household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring[a] I will give this land’—he will send his angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there. 8 If the woman is unwilling to come back with you, then you will be released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.” 9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.”
His answer was a clear and unequivocal “No.” The woman must have enough faith to come. This was the test. How could such a woman be found? It seemed like “mission impossible.” It was like a 007 movie. If the woman refused to come, then the servant would be released from his promise. He was not to take Isaac to that land. In his answer to the senior servant Abraham’s faith in God’s providence is evident. In Genesis 22:14 Abraham experienced God’s provision when God provided a ram instead of Isaac and said, “The Lord will provide.” He had no doubt that God would provide a wife for Isaac among his people who believed in God. Experience is critical in our relationship with God. Abraham experienced God’s provision throughout his life and so he trusted God in finding a suitable wife for Isaac. Abraham promised his servant that he would not be alone. God’s angel would accompany him and give him success. M. Joshua experienced God’s provision in his mission life when he had to return to Korea. Just before leaving for Korea, God provided his visa on time to stay in America. It was a drama. Dre experienced God’s provision when he came to America. I experienced God’s provision when God saved me from the hands of robbers. We all experience God’s provision in our life. There is one phrase in the back of US dollar like this, “In God we trust.” We must trust God that he will be with us when we carry out his mission. Abraham told clearly to his senior servant, “Do not take my son back there and if the woman is unwilling to come, you are released from the task of finding a wife operation.
Second, Abraham’s senior servant (10-66) The main actor in chapter 24 is Abraham’s servant. Abraham entrusted him with the important mission of finding a wife for Isaac. We can learn from him how a man of mission can carry out the mission given him by God. He demonstrated a good role model how we carry our mission as the servant of God.
Abraham’s servant accepted the impossible mission Abraham gave him. He made a vow to take responsibility for this task. He takes his mission seriously and understands the importance of finding the right wife for Isaac. He was an old man with much experience, and he knew what kind of preparations he must make. Look at verse 10. “Then the servant left, taking with him ten of his master’s camels loaded with all kinds of good things from his master. He set out for Aram Naharaim and made his way to the town of Nahor.” So, he took ten camels and loaded them with all kinds of good things and went to Padan Aram, to the town of Nahor. The senior servant prepared his mission trip thoroughly. The well-prepared mission has 90% chance of success. When we start a special project, we need to prepare all necessary things with prayers in advance. Then we have a 90% chance of succeeding. Several weeks ago, I went to a UD campus fishing with prepared heart, then God blessed me to meet the first student Hutton Ashley. He wanted to go fishing with me right away and we had 2 Bible studies so far, and he will join our dinner fellowship Monday evening. It was100% success. Our success in mission depends on how we prepare it with heart and prayers. Where did he go to meet a woman of faith for Isaac. Look at verse 11. “He had the camels kneel down near the well outside the town; it was toward evening, the time the women go out to draw water.” He went to the well where the women come to draw water. He went to the right place. Why? He went to the place where he would be most likely to meet the right girl–the village well. Where do you catch fish? Nobody goes to the mountain to catch fish. We go to the lake or ocean. Where do you go to find students? We go to campus. So, the senior servant went to the well. Jacob met Rachel near the well in Genesis 29:10. Jesus met a Samaritan woman near the well. (John 4:7) Historical events happen near the well. I met Hutton near the water sprinkle on UD campus. The senior servant had made the necessary human and material preparations with great thoroughness.
But that’s not all. What was his secret weapon for his mission? He depended on God. He prayed. He asked the God of Abraham to grant him success in his journey. He learned a life of prayer from Abraham. So, he prayed in every step of his wife searching mission. Look at verses 12. “Then he prayed, “LORD, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.” The senior servant relied on divine guidance throughout his journey. Jesus prayed before feeding the five thousand with 5 loaves and 2 fish (Mark 6:41) Jesus depended on God for feeding the five thousand. Like the senior servant we need to pray when we search for marriage partner. When we depend on God, we will be successful whatever we do. M. Esther Lee prayed a lot to find a suitable marriage candidate. She prayed on her knees to make her match to be successful.
Now his prayer topic was not abstract but very specific. Look at verse 13-14. “See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. 14 May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.” Then he set a very improbable condition which the woman God had chosen for Isaac must meet. When we pray, we should not hit the air, but we must lay out concrete and clear prayer topics. What was the condition he laid out? She must willingly volunteer to water his 10 thirsty camels! Wow! That was a tough demand. The senior servant was looking for a hardworking and compassionate woman of God not a lazy and luxury shopping crazy woman for Isaac. What happened when he finished praying?
Before he had finished praying, a beautiful young girl balancing a jar on her shoulder came to the well. When he asked her for a drink of water, she graciously drew water for him and offered to water his ten camels (15-20)! Rebekah passed the test by showing kindness and generosity not only to him but also to his camels. Abraham’s servant was speechless. He just stood there, watching her drawing water with bucket again and again (21). Perhaps he was amazed by her graciousness and beauty. Even more than this, he was overcome by the fact that God had heard and blessed his prayer.
Abraham’s servant did not make a quick decision but observed how God was leading him step by step. He waited on God. He had to be sure that this was really God’s leading and not just his own wishful thinking. After Rebekah had finished watering the camels, he gave her a gift to show his appreciation and asked her about her family. When he learned that she was Abraham’s great niece, he bowed his head and worshipped God. He said, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of
my master’s relatives.” The senior gave thanks to God first. When he obeyed by faith and prayed by faith, God blessed his prayer. His prayer also reveals his faithfulness to Abraham. Abraham loved and feared God. So, he planted in his servant this same awesome respect for God. Abraham’s servant believed the God of Abraham. He served Abraham as though he were serving God. He served him with prayer. He realized that, for Abraham’s sake, God was leading his mission step by step. So, he worshiped and thanked God each step of the way. Did you thank God when you are successful in your life. Give thanks to God always.
We notice one characteristic of the servant is that he regarded his mission very seriously. Abraham’s servant must have been tired and hungry after his long journey. He was led to Rebekah’s house and there received generous
hospitality. But when the abundant feast was placed before him, he refused to eat Why? He regarded his mission more important than eating food. Look at verse 33. “Then food was set before him, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told you what I have to say.” Laban could not but let him speak. The old servant began
at the beginning and told everything that had happened. He focused on how God had answered his prayers and led him each step of the way. As he told his long story, the food got cold, but he didn’t care. This servant was an old man, but he was so intent on carrying out his mission that he forgot about being tired and hungry. Even a young man, if he has no sense of mission, cannot overcome his own physical desires. If he is tired and hungry, he only thinks about eating and sleeping. Esau sold his birthright when he was hungry. We must overcome our feelings when we carry out God’s mission.
We can learn from Abraham’s servant that mission must be regarded as more precious than eating. Ordinarily, people work hard to make money and eat well. Apostle Paul is a good example how we regard our mission as the servant of God. He said in Acts 20:24, “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me…” Originally, God created man for mission. He entrusted the stewardship of the earth to mankind (Ge 1:28). He created each of us for a purpose and has a mission for each of us (Eph 2:10).
Abraham’s servant pushed Laban and Bethuel to make a clear decision. The servant said, “…the Lord, the God of my master Abraham…led me…to get the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son. Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn.” Laban and Betheul listened to the life testimony of the servant and were deeply moved. Wow, God really blessed Abraham. They realized that God had indeed chosen Rebekah to be Isaac’s wife. But just knowing God’s will without any decision of faith is worth nothing. They said, “This is from the Lord; What can we say? Here is Rebekah. Take her and go.” Then they celebrated with a great feast. The senior servant successfully fulfills his mission. Abraham’s servant did not regard his mission as complete until he had escorted Rebekah back to Isaac in Canaan. The next morning Abraham’s servant said, “Send me on my way to my master.” Rebekah’s family urged him to wait for ten days or so. They wanted to keep their lovely daughter for just a few days longer. It was a good chance for the senior servant to take a short vacation in the sun–after all, he had earned it. But he answered, “Do not detain me, now that the Lord has granted success to my journey.” Send me on my way so that I may go to my master.” His heart was full of God’s grace. He didn’t even think about resting. He was free–he could have stayed, but he didn’t. He only wanted to return quickly and finish his mission. Then he discovered that the final and most important matter had not been settled at all. No one had asked Rebekah. She was the one to make the final decision.
Third, Rebekah
Rebekah plays a crucial role in Genesis 24 as she becomes the chosen bride for Isaac. She was pure and very beautiful. She was a virgin. She was generous and broadminded and not afraid of hard work. She was loving and thoughtful. She had willingly served an old man and ten thirsty camels. She had invited him to come and stay with her family. But her most important qualification was her faith. She had listened to the old man’s long account of how God had led him to find a wife for Isaac. She realized that this was God’s will. She had eyes to see how God was working and leading, and she had the courage to marry Isaac who she never met before. Look at verse 58. “So, they called Rebekah and asked her, `Will you go with this man?’ `I will go,’ she said.” She was willing to give her marriage to God. She entrusted her marriage to God. Surely a woman’s marriage is most precious and personal to her. It is the content of her secret dreams. Most women will give everything else to God, but they reserve their marriage and their choice of a husband for themselves. Rebekah decided to marry Isaac by faith to please God, not please herself in her marriage. Her family sent her off with this blessing: “Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.” (60) So, God blessed her and used her to establish, with Isaac, God’s covenant family. Rebekah’s departure from her family marks a significant transition in her life. M. Wynelle Nett said the same thing when Shep. Walter Nett asked her, “Will you go with me in 1998?” She said, “Yes, I will go.” She went Germany to marry Walter. God blessed her family.
In conclusion, God established Isaac’s family through Abraham’s initiative and the senior servant’s faithful mission and Rebekah’s decision of faith. Marriage is an important turning point in our life. To make one marriage there are many people must work together like parents, Bible teacher, chapter director, and servants of God. When they work together, God establish a family of God. We learn that if we give marriage to God, we become a part of God’s history. We need courage and faith to marry a woman of faith for establishing a family. I pray that God may establish many families of God among us. May God bless us to trust God in our import decision making process! Let’s read the key verse 58. So, they called Rebekah and asked her, ‘Will you go with this man?’ ‘I will go,’ she said.”
