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Lesson 23

Genesis 26

Like Father Like Son

Me-

When I was younger I use to say, “If I had my life to do over I would do things differently.”  However, as I have become older I realize that if there was a chance to redo my life I probably would have made the same mistakes over again. The one thing I would not change about my life; I would have married my wife over again.  It ranks close to the top of the best decision I ever made.  The only other one that is of more importance is becoming a follower of Christ. 

The reason nothing would have changed has to do with the personality and abilities which God gave to me, many which I did not use to the fullest.  In order to reach the point in life where one understands what God wants to do with him or her comes only from experience.  It is a fortunate person who knows what they want to do with his life from the very beginning.  Circumstances often lead us down a life path that we did not expect. 

Even though I became a believer at a young age, there was no obvious growth until many years later.  If I could do it over I would want my life to be one of constantly focusing on what is important.  There is only One who meets that criteria.

We-

The church certainly is not exempt from making the same mistakes over and over again.  The one thing that stymies our advancement is constantly looking back at what might have been.  If we can get past what we cannot change because once done a deed cannot be undone.  There is nothing wrong at looking at the history of the church.  We are what we have made of ourselves to be.  As we look back we can understand our present situation.  The past is not where we want to remain, however. Paul in Philippians tells us to let the past be the past.  Our marching orders are what he said in the words to follow. We are called to, “Press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14)  The question is where do we want to be, rehashing old stuff or looking to see what God wants to do with His church?

God-

Genesis 26:1

It was almost like déjà vou.  Isaac found himself in the throes of a famine just like his father had experience previously. He then begins to make a trek south east to find water to provide for his flocks and herds.  Like Abraham before him he came in the land of Gerar to Abimelech, the king of the Philistines.  This was not the same man with whom his father had dealings.  Abimelech was most likely a title, like Pharaoh.

1. How is this like the incident that we saw with Abraham’s first journey away from the land of Canaan?
2. Why did Isaac see a need to move?
3. Why would he go to the same land that his father had gone before?
4. Why would the man who was king allow Isaac to stay there?

Genesis 26:2-5

God stopped him short of going into Egypt which evidently was his intent.  The Lord shared several things that would be important in the life of Isaac. First was the warning to stay out of Egypt.  If he did so God would:

• Be with him if he sojourned where He wanted him to stay.
• Bless him.
• Give the land to Isaac and his descendents.

God then reaffirmed the covenant He had made with Abraham which included the promise that he would:

• Have many descendents.
• His descendents would possess the land.
• Bless the nations through the descendants.

The covenant was established with Abraham because he had obeyed God by keeping His charge, commandments, statues and laws.

1. What is different about Isaac’s travels and that of his father?
2. What was Isaac’s intent?
3. How do we know what he planned to do?
4. What was the reason God shared with Isaac the plans that He had for him?
5. Why was it important for God to reaffirm the promises made to Abraham with Isaac?

Genesis 26:6

Isaac obeyed God and stayed in Gerar.  He did not go down to Egypt as his father had done before him.

1. In what ways did Isaac obey God?
2. Why did God not want Isaac to go down into Egypt?

Genesis 26:7

Surely Isaac would have heard of events involving Abraham when he travelled to Egypt and Gerar.  Both times Abraham called Sarah his sister, which showed a lack of faith on his part and created problems for his hosts, Pharaoh and Abimelech..  It is obvious that he did not truly believe the promises God had made with him.    

His son followed in his footsteps and used Rebekah because he feared for his life.  He called her his sister which was an outright lie, unlike Abraham.  It should be clear by this time that both Abraham and Isaac put themselves in a possible dangerous situation by being where they should not have been living among a hostile people. Isaac’s insecurity and timid nature led him to put   his wife in a vulnerable position to protect his own life. 

1. What did Isaac learn from the recounting of Abraham’s trips into Egypt and Gerar?
2. Why did he think he could get away with such a masquerade?
3. What should he have learned from the stories of his father?
4. What does it show about the character of both men?
5. What was different in Isaac’s situation than that of his father?

Genesis 26:8-9

One thing that may not be apparent at first from the text is that God did not intervene as He had done with Abraham.  A good reason for His absence is that the purity and integrity of the line of Abraham was not in jeopardy by the actions of Isaac and Rebekah.  God did not come to Ambimelech to warn him as He had before.  After a period of time, Abimelech actually observed  Isaac “caressing his wife.”  Isaac was not as discreet as his father and openly continued to relate to Rebekah as his wife.

Abimelech’s reaction was as would be expected from one who had been deceived by Isaac’s actions..  He did even give Isaac a chance but accused him immediately of the deception he had tried to carry out.  Isaac, lamely spoke of the fear he had of being killed.  Abimelech would have been offended and let Isaac out of the possible consequences of his action.  He had actually put in jeopardy the reputation of all the people of Gerar and would have brought great guilt on the people of Gerar if someone had taken Rebekah as a wife.

Once again, God protected one of the Patriarchs even when Isaac had purposely lacked faith and tried to take matters in his own hands. Ambimelech could have killed Isaac for what he had done but instead he warned all the people not to touch Rebekah,

1. Why did God not intervene in this situation?
2. What was Abimelech’s relationship with Rebekah?
3. What was Isaac’s attitude during this whole episode?
4. How did Abimelech discover what Isaac was doing?
5. What was the response of Abimelech?
6. How did his character differ from that of Isaac’s in the way he handled the matter?

Genesis 26:12-14

Moving on from the episode with Abimelech, Isaac returned to his agrarian background.  God gave him a great harvest.  As a result of the blessing of God, he became a very wealthy man owning flocks, herds and people.  His many possessions caused the Philistines to become very envious of him.

1. What did it take for God to begin to bless Isaac?
2. What was the reason for the blessings poured out on Isaac?
3. What is the evidence that God was with him in his endeavors?
4. Why did the Philistines become jealous of Isaac?

Genesis 26:15-17

One of the ways the Philistines showed their dislike for Isaac was to stop up all of the wells that Abraham had dug.  Without a doubt, Isaac would have needed the water to keep his animals alive.  Abimelech joined with his fellow Philistines and ordered Isaac to leave the land of Gerar.  He acted out of fear.  With his great wealth Isaac had become more powerful that Abimelech himself.  Isaac obeyed him and moved into the valley of Gerar.

1. How did the Philistines show their contempt for Isaac?
2. Why would they haave felt that way about Isaac?
3. Why were the wells so important to Isaac?
4.  Why did Abimelech issue the command for him to leave?
5. What may have been the real reason he commanded Isaac to leave?
6. Why did Isaac stay in the area of the valley of Gerar?

Genesis 26:18-22

Isaac made every attempt while in the Valley of Gerar to provide water for his flocks and herds by digging again the wells that his father had previously dug. He even gave them the same names.  Each time he completed one of the wells the Philistines came and claimed it as their own.  In a way they were correct for Isaac was sojourning in their land.  It was also a way to accomplish getting Isaac to leave the land of Gerar.

The first well that the men of Gerar took from him in the valley, he named Esek, meaning contention.  The second well was also claimed by his adversaries he called Sitnah because they showed contempt for him.  Finally after those tries, Isaac discovered water and called the well Rehoboth, because the Philistines did not quarrel over it.  Rehoboth means broad places.  He had found a place where he could live in peace and be fruitful. God was given the credit for providing “room” in the land where Isaac believed that his family could become fruitful.

1. Why was water so important to Isaac?
2. Why did the men of Gerar continue to seize the wells he had dug?
3. By what right could they claim the wells of their own?
4. In what way did the names he gave for the wells reflect what was taking place?
5. When Isaac dug the well he called Rehoboth, why did the Philistines leave him alone?
6. In his mind, who was responsible for the peace he experienced?
7. What had been the hindrance of his family becoming fruitfull?
8. How had that changed?

Genesis 26:23-25

Only after Isaac moved from the land of Gerar to Beersheba in the Negev of Canaan did the Lord once again speak to Isaac.  While he lived in Gerar he was out of the will of God because it was the land of Canaan that had promised to Abraham as an inheritance.  Isaac had left the land of promise and had gone into Gerar.  When God appeared to him upon his return he identified Himself as the God of Abraham. Next He dealt with the insecurities and fears that were part of Isaac’s personality.  He assured him that He would leave Isaac but would always be with him.

Here the writer indicated that God only spoke of part of the covenant relationship with Isaac.  There is no discussion of possession of the land.  The only promise made at that point that Isaac would receive the blessings of God and he would have many descendants.  That promise was given not for Isaac’s sake but because of the relationship that God had with Abraham.  In a way Isaac had done nothing to deserve what God was going to give him.

Isaac then built an altar and worshipped God.  It was in that place that Isaac decided to pitch his tent.  To indicate his plans to stay there he and his servants dug a well to provide for his needs.

1. Why did God not speak to Isaac while he was in Gerar?
2. What are some of the situations that have occurred in your life when God seems to be silent?
3. What did it take for God to once again communicate with Isaac?
4. What was the order of the words of God?
5. Why did He present Himself to Isaac in that way?
6. What were important parts that were omitted from the promise that had been given to Abraham?
7. Why did God not promise Isaac those things?
8. Why did God say that what was going to occur was for the sake of Abraham?
9. What does that say about Isaac’s relationship with God?

Genesis 26:26-33

Abimelech approaches Isaac.  To show the seriousness of the visit he brought along with him an adviser named Ahuzzath and Philcol the commander of his army.  Isaac by that time was in no mood to have any dealings with the men.  His statement to them said it all.  He wanted to know why they had come after commanding him to leave their city state. 

They had come because Isaac had become more powerful than they were. It was obvious to them that was God protecting him and had increased his wealth in spite of their attempts to discourage and chase him away.  Knowing that God was on the side of Isaac they wanted to make sure that he would do them no harm.  Isaac did not want conflict and readily agreed to oath they asked of him.  He then made a feast for them and sent them away peacefully.

1. Why did Abimelech approach Isaac?
2. Why would a king be afraid of one family?
3. Why did Isaac agree to the terms they presented to him?
4. What does this show about the character of Isaac?

With the final relationship with Abimelech behind him he could now give full attention to providing for his family.  On the very day that he sent Abimelech away in peace his servants came with the news that they had found water.  He gave the new well the name Shibah called the place where the well was located Beer-sheba.

1. Why was it important for Isaac to be completely separated from the Philistines?
2. What was the good news for Isaac upon the departure of Abimelech?

Genesis 26:34-35

Esau continued to move away from God.  Abraham had sent his servant to get a wife from Nahor’s family because he did not want his son to marry a Canaanite woman.  Esau went against that tradition and married Judith and Basemath both of whom were from Hitite family when he was forty years old.  They were Canaanites.  His marriage to those two women grieved his parents.

1. How did Esau prove his distain for the idea of marrying only women from Abraham’s family?
2. How does it show that he was drifting away from God?
3. Why was it so offensive to his parents that he married Hitite women?
4. In what ways could this be understood as being unequally yoked?
5. In what ways did he dishonor his parents by his actions?

You-

• For young people you have the opportunity to take a good look at what God has given you in the way of Spiritual Gifts, talents and passions so that you may live your life in complete service to Him.
• Ask for forgiveness for the times that you have failed God and repeatedly committed the same acts over and over again?
• Learn to follow the example of men and women who truly live according to biblical standards.
• For all followers of Christ be sure that you separate yourself from those who will lead you astray.
• For those considering marriage, do not become entangled with unbelievers.  The Bible calls it be unequally yoked to the ungodly. 

We- 

When we consider the problems that affected Isaac’s life, many of those came from making wrong choices.  We have to make sure that we do not compromise the principles that God has given to us.  Isaac learned much from his father, Abraham, that was good but, he also picked up on actions that bordered on the unethical.  We are not to do what other denominations and churches do just to grow.  All of our actions need to be based on God’s word.  To do otherwise will destroy our witness to the community. God calls us to be holy and perfect. Let us not fail Him.

Additional Notes-

BL-In chapter 26, Isaac repeated his father’s mistake of lying about his relationship to his wife. Once again, an unbeliever, Abimelech, reprimanded a believer, Isaac, for sinning!    People haven’t changed any over the centuries.  We SHOULD be better, because we have the example of Christ to follow and the Holy Spirit living within us.  When we allow ourselves to drift away from God’s word, it doesn’t take long before the currents of the world begin sweeping us away!  How careful are you and I to spend time EACH day with God in prayer and Bible study?  Sin is a lot like the plaque on our teeth.  It doesn’t take long for it to build up and calcify and then, BOY is it painful to have it removed. The chapter concluded with Isaac’s peaceful resolution of a problem with jealous Philistines.  They continued to fill up the wells as quickly as he dug them.  Each time he would simply move on and dig another.  The final result was a blessing from God and a peace treaty with the Philistines.

C-Isaac moved his family to Gerar because of a famine in the land of Canaan.  He followed in his father’s footsteps lying about his relationship with Rebekah.  (Gen. 26:1)

E-God met with Isaac and gave him clear instructions not to go down to Egypt but to remain where he was.  If he did so, God would be with him and bless him. To him and his descendents The Lord was going to give the land he promised to Abraham.  There were aspects of all that He laid out for Isaac

1. He was going to affirm the same oath with him as had with his father.
2. His descendents would be multiplied
3. Descendents would be given all the land.
4. All peoples would be blessed through his seed.

Each of the things would take place because Abraham had

1. Obeyed God
2. Kept His charge, commandments, statutes and laws.                                                     (Gen 26:2-5)

C-All of the promises made to Abraham by God were transferred to Isaac.  The only condition that he was given was that he would continue to obey God. (Gen. 26:2-6)

GC-What greater example can we have than Abraham.  Of him God declared,    “Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws. (Gen. 26:5)

WM-Some of the lessons Isaac learned from the life of Abraham were the wrong ones.  When he moved to Gerar, like his father before him, deceived the people telling them that Rebekah was his sister because of fear of being killed. (Gen. 26:6-9)

M-Isaac used the same tactic his father had carried out in preserving his life.  He was driven more by fear than faith in what God had told him. (Gen. 26:7, 9)

TM-Through the example we have in Isaac we learn that some people never heed the lessons of those who have gone before them. (Gen. 26:7:11)

C-Isaac moved away from Abimelech to the valley of Gerar. (Gen. 26:17)

C-His move was in order to find water.  The men of Gerar had contended with him over the wells he dug until he found water in the well he called Rehoboth. (Gen. 26:18-22)

E-What a comfort and assurance it must have been for Isaac having faced adversity to have God come to him and make several statements concerning him.  The things shared were;

1. That He was the God of Abraham.  The same God who had cared for his father was now going to be with him.
2. That Isaac need not fear for He was with him.
3. He would receive the blessings of God.
4. Isaac’s descendents would multiply. 

All of this was done for the sake of Abraham who God called His servant.  Having heard all of these things Isaac built an altar to the Lord. (Gen. 26:23-25)

C- He then moved to Beersheba where the Lord appeared to him to bless him.  Isaac built an altar and called on the name of the Lord. (Gen. 26:23-25)

GC-Isaac needed to learn the lesson that he did not need to fear even in a foreign godless nation because God was with him. (Gen. 26:24; Ps. 145:18; Prov. 3:25-26; Is. 8:12; Is. 41:10, 13-14)

M-Isaac built an altar and called on the Lord out of thankfulness of his heart. (Gen. 26:25)

UE-Physical evidence was proof enough for Abimelech that Lord was with Isaac had prospered him. (Gen. 26:28-29)

BL- We looked at Genesis 26, vv. 34-35.  There we saw that Esau married two Hittite women, which brought grief to his parents.  These marriages demonstrate further Esau’s disregard for spiritual matters, since he did not look for or marry a woman who shared his family’s spiritual background.  These choices practically guaranteed that his offspring would not be brought up in a God-fearing household, since mothers have an enormous influence on their children’s spiritual upbringing.  Nor did Esau seem to care what his parents thought about his marriages, even though parents of that time and culture often chose their childrens’ spouses for them.  By these actions, and by his willingness to sell his birthright for a pot of stew, Esau showed that he had a PROPENSITY (or inclination) to disregard spiritual concerns in favor of the here-and-now.  Esau was a sensual person who tended to live for the gratifications of the moment, thereby fulfilling the prophecy that God gave Rebekah before her sons were even born.  Jacob, on the other hand, did value the blessings of his father and grandfather; and while God did not approve of the trickery Jacob used to procure those blessings, it pleased Him that Jacob desired them. Praise God that when He looks at believers, it is through the shed blood of Christ and He sees us as a finished project, even though we all have a LOOOOONNNGG way to go (at least I do!) A good question to ask ourselves, however:  when God looks at you and me, does He see someone who is wrapped up in the concerns of this world, or someone who is “just passing through” on the way to the next?  Are we “of the world,” constantly looking to gratify our sensual natures, or we “in the world”–doing what needs to be done, but making time for God in our daily lives, as well? 

TM-The very thing that Abraham had sought to avoid in the life of his family took place with one of Isaac’s sons, Esau. The children of the covenant were not to marry those outside of the family.  For Esau to do so once again shows how easy it is to compromise with the ungodly of this world. (Gen. 26:34-35)

C-Esau married when he was forty years old.  His wives were women of Canaan.  His marriages brought grief to his parents because he had married outside of the family. (Gen. 26:34)

M-Esau showed a total disregard for the covenant relationship between God and Abraham by marrying a woman from the heathen tribes in the land of Canaan. (Gen. 26:34-35)

 

 

 

 

Lesson 22

A New Era

Genesis 25

Me-

One of the things that I find most meaningful in my study of the Bible is trying to understand the personalities of the people found in its pages.  There is almost every type of person to be found.  I particularly want to discover how their actions impact how God interacts with the nation of Israel.  There are certain personalities like Joseph, Jesus and Paul that I want to emulate.  Others like Jacob, Esau, Isaac and even Rebekah do not represent the character traits that to me are a good witness for God.  To me this is one of the important reasons to stay in God’s word.  I want to be like those with whom God is well pleased.

We-

We see in this one chapter the different qualities of people that in this case are all descendents of one man, Abraham.  We can certainly learn that just because the father, in this case of Abraham, is a godly man does not mean that his descendents will follow in his footsteps.  We as a church give birth to multiple generations who are under our care.  The church needs to understand who it is in order to minister to the members.  Most of all the quality of integrity that was missing in the people in chapter should be dominant in our interaction with each other.  The one other quality that is even more important is unbiased, impartial love.  If we just have those two attributes we will touch many lives.

God-

Genesis 25:1-4

After the death of Sarah, Abraham took a wife named Keturah, which possibly means incense or make incense.  In his old age he sought companionship.  Isaac was married and Ishmael had been sent away.  The Bible says, that “the Lord God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18)  It is interesting to note that although he was concerned about the purity of his family through Isaac, he himself married one who was of the land of Canaan. Through her, Abraham had six sons.  The well-known among them was Midian who would intermingle with the family of Ishmael and would later become the enemy of Israel. Three generations of sons are listed in these verses.

1. Why would Abraham take another wife after the death of Sarah?
2. Why would he think of having more children?
3. Why was he more concerned about the wife of Isaac than he was about his own new wife?

Genesis 25:5

Even though Abraham had other children, which would have included Ishmael, Isaac had been declared the heir by God.  Isaac was not the first born, but he was the child of promise who would receive the spiritual blessing from God and also the things that had been promised to Abraham by God.

1. Why was Isaac declared the heir of all Abraham possessed?
2. What future blessings did the actions of Abraham portend?
3. Why did God skip the first born Ishmael and give the inheritance to Isaac?
4. At that point what would Isaac actually be getting from his father?
5. What was the most important part of what he was to receive from Abraham?

Genesis 25:6

Abraham did not leave his children by Hagar and Keturah empty handed.  While he was living he did two things.

• He gave them gifts.
• He sent them away from Isaac to the east.  This was to insure that there would be no question in anyone’s mind that Isaac was the true heir and recipient of all his father had.

 

1. What did the treatment of his sons by his concubines show us about Abraham’s character?
2. Why did he send them away to the east?
3. What does this emphasize about the position of Isaac in the eyes of his father?

Genesis 25:7-8

At the age of one hundred seventy-five Abraham died.  The writer tells two final things about him.

• He lived to a good old age. None of his descendents to follow attained the length of his life. 
• He died satisfied with all he had accomplished. High on the list would be his relationship with God and secondly would be assurance of his posterity through Isaac.

 

1. What does the description of Abraham tell us about him?
2. How did it give us a picture of his life?
3. What do think you would like to have written on your tombstone?
4. How does your life reflect what was said about Abraham?

Genesis 25:9-10

This is the only time in their adult life that Isaac and Ishmael were together.  Here were the men representing the two worldviews, spiritual and secular, came to bury their father.  It was from a mutual love and respect for Abraham that this meeting took place.  Even though Ishmael had been sent away, primarily because of Sarah, he still had great affection for the man who had been his father for his formative years.  In these verses great care is given to make sure the reader knows that it was in the very place that Abraham had bought from Ephron that he was buried.

1. What brought the two half- brothers together?
2. What was the one thing that they had in common?
3. How could Isahmael have still loved a man who had sent him away from the only home he had ever known?
4. Why did the writer go to such lengths to describe the burial place of Abraham?

Genesis 25:11

Right after the description of the burial, Moses writes that God now began to bless Isaac.  He was the child of promise, not Ishmael. It was through him that the covenant made by God with Abraham would be carried out.  Once again Isaac returned from Hebron to Beer-lahoi-roi.

1. Why did Moses take that opportunity following the death and burial of Abraham to tell us about the blessing of God on Isaac’s life?
2. What does this tell us about Ishmael?
3. Why was it important to declare the clear distinction between the two men?
4. What does it say about the covenant relationship established by God?

Genesis 25:12-16

Ishmael, in comparison to Isaac, is described as “Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maid, bore to Abraham.” As promised to Abraham, Ishmael was to become a great nation.  He had twelve sons who were called princes among their people. Although the nations formed by his children are mentioned only one generation of his genealogy is listed. It would appear that God’s narrative now would begin to focus on His chosen people?

1. How was Ishmael characterized by Moses?
2. Why did he describe Ishmael the way that he did?
3. How was the promise to Abraham fulfilled in Ishmael?
4. Why was only one generation of Ishmael given to us?
5. What does this say to us about where God would now be focusing with His narrative?

Genesis 25:17

Ishmael’s life lasted one hundred thirty-seven years.  Of his death the writer said, “He breathed his last.”  There was no mention of the quality of life seen in the eulogy of Abraham.  Ishmael just died without reference to any relationship to God or anything spiritual having taken place in his life.  He just died and experienced what all other men face but in his case without God.

1. What was missing from the record given of Ishmael’s life?
2. What does that indicate that he gained from living in Abraham’s home for many years?
3. What kind of commentary is the description for a man who lives in rebellion to God?
4. Which of the two eulogies given to us in this chapter might represent your life?
5. What can you do about it?

Genesis 25:18

All of the sons of Ishmael’s sons lived in the areas now dominated by the Muslims.  Their land was located east of Egypt in the Arabian Peninsula and up into the lands east of the Jordan River. The impact of his descendents can best be described in the last words of this verse.  Moses wrote that, “He settled in defiance of all his relatives.”  His people have been a destructive force in this world from his time to the present day.  To read history one will see how his descendents through Mohammed has attempted to gain control over the entire earth. 

1. Who are the descendents of Ishmael today?
2. How has Ishmael and his descendents fulfilled the prophecy given to Hagar in Genesis 16:12?
3. By looking at Isaac and what God was doing through his life how can we be assured that the covenant will be fulfilled through his blood and spiritual descendents?

Genesis 25:19-20

The focus of the narrative now returns to Isaac.  The rest of the Bible will speak of his descendants down through the time of Christ and what resulted from God coming to earth in the form of man.  The genealogy begun here is very short.  Isaac is Abraham’s son.  He married Rebekah, the Aramean, when he was forty.  Although the event of Abraham’s death has been shared, he was actually one hundred forty years old at the time of the marriage and would live to the time when his grandson Esau and Jacob would have been fifteen years old.

1. Why did Moses give us the genealogy of Ishmael, after the record of Abraham’s death, before returning to Isaac?
2. Why did Moses not give the full genealogy of all of Isaac’s forefathers at this point?
3. Why was it strange to write about Abraham’s death when he would be alive for thirty-five more years from the time of Isaac’s marriage?
4. Why did the writer once again go into such detail about Rebekah?

Genesis 25:21

For the first nineteen years of their marriage Rebekah did not have children.  Even if she had been very young when she married Isaac she would be in her mid thirties by that time.  Isaac prayed for her and her dilemma and God answered his prayer and she became pregnant.

1. Why did Rebekah have to wait so long before she was to have children?
2. Why did God answer Isaac’s prayer at that particular time?
3. What does this story tell us about what God might be doing in our lives?
4. How do you deal with the fact that God’s timing is always best?
5. How do you handle that fact?

Genesis 25:22-23

Rebekah’s pregnancy was difficult to say the least.  The movement of the babies was so violent within her that she wondered what was going to happen to them and even to her.  Finally she sought answers from God.  God told her what was to happen in the future with the two boys.

• The children were to be the fathers of two nations.
• That the descendants of one would be stronger than the other.
• The older descendants of the older child would serve the younger.

 

1. Why would Rebekah be concerned about the violent movement of the two babies?
2. Why did see inquire of God?
3. What was the importance to her of the words spoken by God?
4. Why did God allow her know what was going to take place in the future?

Genesis 25:24-26

Finally the day of the birth came.  Esau was born first.  He received his name because he was covered with red hair.  When Jacob was born he came out holding on to his brother’s heel.  His name symbolized one who would supplant or take the place of the other person. Isaac and Rebekah had waited twenty years for the birth of children.  He was sixty years old.  Rebekah’s age is never given unlike Sarah.

1. Why did the first born receive the name Esau?
2. What did the Jacob tell the world about him?
3. What does Jacob mean?
4. Why was it important to know the age of Isaac?

Genesis 25:27

As the two boys grew into manhood they became two entirely different people.  While Esau became a hunter who was not always successful in his hunts as shall be seen shortly.  He probably felt more comfortable being in the outdoors away from people.  This would indicate that he was not very sociable. 

Jacob on the other hand was pictured as a quiet man who stayed close to home living in a tent and probably helping with the flocks and herds owned by his father.

1. What impression do you take away from the above descriptions of each man?
2. How could two men from the same family be so different?
3. How do their personalities fit into the prophecies given to Rebekah?

Genesis 25:28

This verse is a turning point in the history of God’s people.  Like all too many families Isaac and Rebekah were divided in their affections for the two sons.  Isaac was living vicariously through Esaus who was the kind of man that Isaac would like to have been.  Although not particularly mentioned in the last lesson, he was a passive man who allowed others to make decisions for him and do the things that he could not or would not do for himself.  What a shallow reason for loving someone is given here.  The writer says, “Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game.”

Rebekah, on the other hand, loved Jacob. The reason for the favoritism she felt toward Jacob was not given.  Possibly, she showed more affection toward him because she did not care for the lifestyle of Esau.  She, too, was living a life through the personality and actions of Jacob.  All that follows in the rest of Genesis stems from the inter-family competition and ambition of each person involved. 

1. Why do the words in this verse represent a turning point in the history of Abraham’s family?
2. What do you think of the reason that Isaac loved Esau?
3. Why are we not given the reason Rebekah loved Jacob?
4. In what ways may the prophecy concerning the two boys given to her influenced Rebekah’s feelings toward Jacob?
5. What is the problem with divided love?

Genesis 25:29-34

Immediately the competition for supremacy in the family is played out.  Jacob used the appetite of his brother to gain what he wanted.  Esau was willing to give up his rightful place in the family to meet his physical needs.  He cared more about a full stomach than taking his position as future head of the family.  Jacob was no better because he was willing to deprive his brother of some of the food he had prepared to usurp that position and buy the birthright from his brother.  The Scripture indicates that the birthright meant nothing to Esau.  All he cared about was livingly according to his worldly desires.  This event was so unnecessary because God had already established a future for Jacob.  He did not have to take matters in his own hands and just treat his brother so unfairly. 

1. What do you think of the attitude of each brother?
2. What was the worldview of each man?
3. How did each fail in being men of integrity?
4. Why was Jacob able to wrest the birthright away from Esau?
5. Why was it so important to Jacob and not to Esau?
6. Why was this act not necessary?

You-

• Take the time to discover who you are.  (This can be done through the Life Development Classes offered by the church).
• Study the Bible to discover the attributes that are pleasing to God.
• Deal with each person with integrity from the youngest person to the total stranger that comes across your path.
• Always do what you do from a position of godly love (Agape)

We-

We have a real opportunity to show the world what people who are Christ followers are like.  Jesus called us to be light.  We are admonished to walk in the light.  As the world looks at us they should see God’s love permeating everything we do.  If we allow the world’s standards to creep into the body we can be assured that our witness will be destroyed.  Just remember if it happened to the descendents of Abraham it can happen to any of us.  Let us remain steadfast in our faith and never succumb to the world.

Additional notes:

BL- We began by looking at vv. 1-18 of Genesis 25, in which Abraham took a new wife, Keturah.  Although he provided all his children by her with gifts (probably starter flocks) before his death, he sent them away to ensure that the bulk of his estate, and most importantly, the promise of the Covenant, would go to Isaac unchallenged.  Abraham died at age 175 and was buried with his beloved Sarah.  These verses also trace the descendants of Ishmael, Abraham’s son by Hagar. 

C-Abraham married Keturah after the death of Sarah.  He had more children by her.     (Gen. 25:1-4)

C-Isaac received the full inheritance from Abraham except the gifts that his father had given to his other children by his concubines.  Once he had provided for them Abraham sent them away from Isaac to the east.  This would reduce the conflict that he had experienced with Lot. Out of jealousy his brother may have also turned on him causing him great harm. (Gen. 25:5-6)

RT-Only Isaac remained near to his father out of all of his children. (Gen. 25:6)

C-The great patriarch Abraham died.  Only Isaac, the child of promise, was left to carry on the family name. (Gen. 25:7)

C-As far we know the only time that Isaac and Ishmael came together as grown men was to bury Abraham. (Gen. 25:9)

UE-Surprising that Ishmael would return and along with Isaac bury Abraham especially after the way he had been treated as a young man. (Gen. 25:9)

C-Ishmael as promised became the father of the leaders of twelve tribes.  Those tribes settled from Havilah to Shur, east of Egypt next to Assyria. (Gen. 25:12-18)

 

 

 

Lesson 21

A Wife for Isaac

Genesis 24:15-67

Me-

As I have reflected over these last two lessons about the marriage of Rebekah to Isaac one thing stands out. The servant of Abraham bathed everything he did in prayer. Back when my wife and I were planning to get married, I cannot remember either of us asking God for guidance in the major decision we were about to make.  Our years together have proven that He intended for us to be together, but how assuring it would have been if we had truly gone to him in prayer. Like so many young people we based our decision on how we were attracted to each other.  The one thing that we did have going for us was the fact that we were both Christians.  Even with that fact we by not including God we are taking a chance on our future life together.

We-

We as a church should look to the example of the servant.  God admonishes us to leave to chance.  The servant prayed because he was in uncharted territory.  Joshua back in the Old Testament told the Israelites to prepare” for you have not passed this way before.” (Joshua 3:4) Each new step we take as a body should be done only after we have spent a great deal of time in prayer.  If we will do that we can then wait to see what God is going to do.  The servant waited as he watched to see if Rebekak’s actions prove that his prayers had answered.  As our prayers come to fruition we will see that God has truly been at work in our midst.

Genesis 24:15-20

Rebekah came on the scene carrying her water jar.  The writer gave a full description of the young woman that makes clear that she could be the one to become Isaac’s wife.  Some of the characteristics were more important than others.  She was depicted as

• The daughter of Bethuel.  She definitely was of the right family.
• Beautiful
• A virgin

Immediately the servant approached her and began to dialog with her according to his previous prayer.  He asked for a drink of water. She responded with the offer of water.  When he had drunk then she watered his camels as well. 

1. Why are we given such a complete description of Rebekah?
2. Why did the servant decide to approach her?
3. How did she respond to his request?
4. Why did she offer to water his camels as well?

Genesis 24:21

As he watched the scene unfolding before him, he stood silently by.  It is obvious he did not jump to the conclusion that she was the answer to his prayer.  He would need further verification that the event was not just a coincidence. It certainly in part answered his prayer for guidance.

1. Why did the servant stand by silently watch the activity of the young woman?
2. Why did he still question whether God had answered his prayer?
3. What does it show about the character of Eliezer?

Genesis 24:22-26

When the young maiden had finished her task, the servant gave her a ring and two bracelets because of her kindness to him.  He asked two questions. The first was the most important to his mission.  He asked about her family. Depending on her response he would possibly have the answer to the third request made in his prayer. 

He had already seen the example of her hospitality and so he asked if it would be possible to lodge with her family that night.  Rebekah shared that she was the daughter of Bethuel the son of Nahor, Abraham’s brother.  She also said that he would be welcome in their home.

1. Why did the servant give gifts to the girl, especially when he was not sure if she might be the future wife of Isaac?
2. Why did he ask the next two questions?
3.  Why was the first the more important of the two?
4. What would the answer to the second tell him about the girl and her family?

Genesis 24:27

Upon hearing the word from Rebekah declaring that she was the daughter of Bethuel the son of Nahor the servant responded in worship.  He

• Bowed in worship
• Blessed God for showing continual lovingkindness to Abraham.
• Spoke of God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises.
• Thanked Him for guiding him to the house of Abraham’s brothers.

 

1. What provoked the worship of the servant?
2. What does each of his statements tell of his own relationship with God and his loyalty to Abraham?
3. To whom did he give the credit for a successful journey and how did he express it?
4. Looking at the statements which of them stand out in your own attitude towards God when He has answered a prayer that you have spoken?

Genesis 24:28-32

In a round-about-way the servant was invited to stay with Rebekah’s family.  Evidently, a male member of the family had to extend the invitation.  It may have actually been Laban’s home. After seeing the gifts given to her and hearing from Rebekah, he ran to where the man was waiting. Obviously Laban was impressed and called him “blessed of the Lord.”  Laban then took him home and took care of his needs after a long journey.  He then not only provided for the camels, but also unloaded them as well.

1. Why did Rebekah not extend an invitation for the servant to stay with her and her family?
2. What impressed Laban? (A clue of his character as will be seen later)
3. How did he show hospitality to the stranger?
4. How should our reasons for inviting someone into our home be different than those of Laban?  

Genesis 24:33-36

The servant wasted no time in stating the reason he had come to Aram.  He declined the offer of food until he had shared his whole story.  Given permission, he explained that he had come under the direction of Abraham. It was important for Rebekah’s family to know the financial condition the family into which she was to be married.  They need not worry because Abraham was a wealthy man with all the comforts of life.  Not only was the father rich but the son born to him through Sarah would inherit all that his father possessed.

1. Why did the servant want to state his business before even eating?
2. Why was it important to give a full description of both the wealth of Abraham but also Isaac?
3. Why was both Abraham and Sarah mentioned?

Genesis 24:37-41

After telling them about Abraham’s family he then recounted the details of the conversation that had taken place between Abraham and himself which had led him to the city of Nahor. Especially important was Abraham’s statement. He was sure that God would, “Send His angel with you to make your journey successful.”  Not to appear too overconfident the servant also shared that if for reason his journey did not result in taking a bride for Isaac he would be free from his commission.

1. Why did the servant believe it was important to hear the conversation Abraham had had with him?
2. Why would Abraham believe that the journey would be successful?
3. Why did he leave the door open to the possibility that the chosen person would not agree to the marriage?
4. Why was it important for the servant speak of the last words of Abraham?
5. What impression did the servant want the family to have of Abraham and his representative?
6. What did the last two statements say about Abraham?
7. How should we approach those to whom we have been sent with the gospel?

Genesis 24:42-48

Following all of the background material that led up to what had occurred the day he arrived in Nahor, he told them of his prayer and how Rebekah had responded in the everyway as he had prayed.  According to her actions, he believed that she was the one chosen to be Isaac’s wife.  The fulfillment of his prayer caused him to:

• Bow Down
• Worship the Lord
• Bless the Lord

All was done because God had guided him on the right path to the very place at the right time to meet up with Rebekah.

1. Why did the servant repeat the events of the day after Rebekah had already told her family what had happened?
2. After all that had taken place, why did there seem to be some questions in his mind about Rebekah?
3. What caused such a spontaneous outburst of worship?
4. How do we respond when something awesome takes place in our lives?
5. What incident in your life was so fantastic that you could not wait to tell others about it?

Genesis 24:49

To use a modern term, after all was said that needed to be said, the servant was ready to close the deal.  He wanted to know with all the evidence before all of them, would they decide in a way that his mission would end in a positive way.

1. What more could have the servant said, in order to get an answer from Rebekah’s family?
2. What other conclusion could the family draw than the one presented?
3. What would have kept them from deciding to let her go?
4. What issues did they need to resolve among themselves?
5. When have you been in a position that it was obvious that God wanted you to follow a certain course of action but you still hesitated?
6. What caused you to delay?

Genesis 24:50-51

The servant had done all he could do. The decision was now in the hands of the family. They could find no reason to keep Rebekah from becoming the wife of Isaac.  It appears Rebekah had no say so in the decision.  Her father and brother were willing to send her away based on the words of a total stranger.

1. What indication do we have that the servant had presented a solid case for his master?
2. Why was Rebekah not consulted about the decision?
3. In what ways have others sometimes made decisions for you without understanding or having any regard for your desires or feelings?

Genesis 24:52

Once again the servant bowed down and worshipped God upon hearing the decision of Laban and Betheul.

1. What was the reason that the servant worshipped God?
2. What does this show about his character?
3. How often do you stop and thank God for all of the different things He has done for you?
4. How close do you come to the example of Paul who said he prayed without ceasing?

Genesis 24:53-54a

Once the decision had been made it was time to celebrate.  The servant presented gifts to Rebekah and to her family out of gratitude for what had taken place.  He and his men then could relax with their hosts and ate and drank.  They spent the night with the family which now would have even a closer relationship than before.

1. Why did the servant wait to bring out the gifts he had with him?
2. What did the people celebrate?
3. Why is it important for we as followers of Christ to fellowship and celebrate together?
4. Why did the writer emphasize the fact that the servant and the men with him spent the night?

Genesis 24:54b-56

Sometimes things look different after sleeping on a decision that one makes.  In the morning the servant was ready to return to Abraham.  As far as he was concerned everything had been settled and he could be on his way.  Laban and Milcah, the mother, then asked for the servant to delay his return so they could have a little more time to spend with Rebekah.  This would indicate that they were having second thoughts about their quick decision. Wisely, the servant did not allow that situation to happen.  He immediately stated that he was ready to return home because it had been agreed that Rebekah would go with him.

1. Why did Laban and Milcah seem to have a change of heart about the decision?
2. Why did they want to delay the servant for a few days?
3. How did the servant handle the situation?
4. How often have you made a decision in a short span of time that you regretted after having slept on it?
5. What will help us to be ready to make decisions that are thrusts upon us?

Genesis 24:57-59

After the original decision had been made for Rebekah to go back to Canaan with the servant without consulting her, as part of the delaying tactic, the family called Rebekah to find out what she wanted to do.  They were probably hoping she would say no, but instead she agreed to go with the man. Once Rebekah said she would go, there was no choice, but to let her make the journey.  To provide for her needs along the way they sent her nurse with her.

1. Why did the family now consult with Rebekah after the decision had already been made to send her away?
2. What did they hope to gain by asking Rebekah what she wanted to do?
3. What does Rebekah’s decision tell us about her character?
4. What safeguard did the family provide for her for the trip?

Genesis 24:60-61

As is done in churches today when someone is going on a mission trip or a new ministry they are sent off with a prayer and a blessing on their work.  Each one is unique to fit the occasion. The same was true as the family sent Rebekah away.  They wanted for her to have many descendants and strength to overcome any enemy that might come against her. With the blessing ringing in her ears she and her maids set off for Canaan with the servant of Abraham.

1. Why is it important that we bless those going out into the mission fields here and overseas?
2. What did happiness look like for Rebekah in the minds of her family?
3. What was the essence of the prayer?
4. How do we know when our blessings are truly of God?

Genesis 24:62-67

Isaac, at the time of taking Rebekah as his wife, was living in the Negev and had been at Beer-lahai-roi, the very place where Hagar had one of her encounters with God.  The writer indicated that he was taking a stroll in the evening.  The New American Standard says that he was meditating, although the exact meaning of the word is unclear.

The servant evidently knew where to find him because the caravan came to the place where he was living.  At the same time that he saw the camels coming, Rebekah got the first glimpse of the man who was to be her husband.  She wanted to know who the man was coming towards them. The servant explained to her that it was his master.  Since the marriage had not taken place she covered herself with a veil. Isaac was brought up to date concerning all that had taken place in Aram.  As a sign of the consummation of the marriage Isaac took Rebekah into his tent which had belonged to his mother Sarah. Because of his love for Rebekah, Isaac was comforted following his mother’s death.

1. How did the servant know to find Isaac?
2. Why was he no longer living with his father Abraham?
3. How difficult would it have been to establish a marriage under the conditions described above?
4. How were the two able to accept the arrangement by Abraham?
5. What does it say about the relationship Isaac had with Sarah to be still grieving after three years?
6. How do you see God working throughout this whole narrative?
7. What examples can you see in your own life where God has been active in some event in ways you might not have expected?

You-

• Spend time in God’s Word to learn from the examples of how God sometimes works in the background and sometimes openly in the lives of people.
• Be willing to take risks in order that God’s purpose can be worked out in and through you.
• Actively seek God through prayer before making, especially important decisions?
• Be truly willing to wait on God to bring about the resolution.

We-

The church has been given a tremendous responsibility which far exceeds the one given to the servant of Abraham.  We are commissioned to make disciples to be wedded to Christ as His bride.  This can only be done as we are faithful ourselves as part of His church.  An important part of knowing how to carry out the mission is to spend time seeking His will and purpose for us by passionately meditating on His word and in prayer. Then we are to wait on Him to see how He is going to use us to carry out the Great Commission.  Let us truly desire to be used by Him.  If we do God’s will to bring success to our endeavors.

Additional notes:

TM-Abraham was a great influence on those under his care, as we see by the prayers and worship of his Eliezer. (Gen. 24:12-14, 26-27, 42-45, 48, 52)

UE-How many of us, if we were truly honest with ourselves, expect to get exactly what we seek when we pray?  Do we not usually pray in a general way even when we appear to be individualizing the request?  We say things like_________if it is Your will etc.  Here we have the servant of Abraham praying about a certain person and the specific action that person would take as a sign that God had indeed brought him success in his venture.  Then the unexpected happened.  Along came Rebekah and fulfilled the prayer down to the last detail.   Here was the right girl showing up at the right time doing the right things.  Could we all agree that this was definitely a God thing?                           (Gen. 24:12-24, 26-27, 42-27, 52)

GC-Abraham’s servant understood that all tasks should be undertaken only after time had been spent in earnest prayer.  He also remembered to give thanks once his assignment was complete. (Gen. 24:12-14, 26, 27)

RT-It is obvious from the way that Abraham’s servant lifted his requests to God that Abraham had truly impacted the man’s life by godly example. (Gen 24:12-14, 27, 48)

RT-Success should be predicated on our desire to serve the Lord and in doing so, to be a servant of others.  Success is never for our own glory but for the Father’s. (Gen. 24:12)

RT-The servant sent by Abraham shared with Rebekah’s family how God had blessed him.  Abraham in turn had given Isaac all that he had.  (Gen. 24:36)

C-Bethuel was willing for his daughter to travel to Canaan to become the wife of Isaac.             (Gen. 24:50-51)

TM-It is all too often a fact that once our prayers are answered we forget to thank God when our requests are fulfilled.  Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, set an example for us.  Upon hearing that Rebekah was willing to go with him, he bowed down at worshipped in an attitude of gratitude. (Gen. 24:52

C-Rebekah received many gifts from Abraham by the hand of his servant. (Gen. 24:53)

C-She was willing to leave her family and homeland to go with a man she did not know to a strange land to marry a man she had never met.  What courage she had to go on such a journey.  What faith she had that the servant was telling the truth and everything would turn out as he had said. (Gen. 24:53-61)  Would this occur that much today?

M-What a power example of faith is displayed by Rebekah in this situation.  What was her motivation for taking such a risk?  Which of the following do you think might best suit her reason for going to Canaan?:

1. she saw it as a challenge to be tackled
2. a new adventure
3. Great opportunity to leave home
4. To go live with a godly man and get away from a pagan society
5. A better way of life.
6. The men looked like they were honest
7. She believed the story of Isaac’s wealth and saw it as a way to improve her lot.

These are some of the reasons that people do what they do today.  Whatever her thinking she did go with the strangers from another land.

DM- Rebekah’s decision to go with Abraham’s servant set in motion what would occur between Jacob and Esau many years later. (Gen. 24:16-18)

C-Isaac married Rebekah a girl that he has never met. (Gen. 24:67)

C-It was Rebekah who helped Isaac get over the death of his mother.  His love for her brought the comfort he needed. (Gen. 24:67)

 

 

Lesson 20

Plans for a Wedding

Genesis 24:1-14

Me-

Back when I was teaching in the youth department one of the things that I tried to emphasize to the young people was do not get involved with unbelievers.  Sadly some of them did not give heed to what was being taught.  I truly believe each of them thought that they could change the person with whom they had begun a relationship. I know of at least one who has since divorced her husband and has never remarried.  Rather than seeing the un-churched come to Christ they almost always pulled the believers away from the church.  Very few of those who had grown up in the church returned.

We-

In our anything goes society there is a real danger that our young people can so easily be led astray by the ungodly.  This can happen in the strongest Christian family unless they are taught and understand the dangers of following their hearts rather than following God.  They are being constantly bombarded on every side by the entertainment world and the media that tells them to give into their emotions and let nature take its course.  That path will only lead to unhappiness in the long run.  God has a plan for each young person and part of His plan includes finding a godly person with whom one could spend their lives serving God together.  As Deuteronomy 6 tells us we need to help the young people in our care to be rooted and grounded in God’s Word.

The question we have to ask ourselves is, Are we setting the kind of examples for them that they want to follow?  Remember they are watching us. Whenever we compromise the way we live by trying to walk in two different worlds, the spiritual and the secular, the results will be catastrophic.  A young person can see through someone who is not genuine in a heartbeat.  If they conclude that we are not true followers of Christ, they will drift away from church and get involved in what the world has to offer.

What I have written does not imply that we are to have nothing to do with unbelievers.  Both Jesus and Paul spoke of the fact that we are to continue to live in this world.  The difference between those who have rejected God and followers of Christ is that we are to be in the world and not of it.  The only way we can witness to others is to be where they are.  It is only when we become entangled in their ways and build strong relationships with those who are able to mislead us that we are going against God’s warning about those associations.

God-

Genesis 24:1

 

Although the Scriptures do not give Abraham’s age here, he would have been about one hundred forty years old.  He was described as one advanced or stricken in years. God had truly blessed him with great wealth and long life, but after the death of Sarah he probably began to be reconciled to his own mortality.  Not knowing when the end would come for him, he had one last major task to accomplish. In order to assure the posterity of his family, the time had come to find a wife for Isaac. There is no indication that God was leading him to take that step, but as will be seen He was working behind the scenes.  Moses had already written of the genealogy of the one who would eventually become Isaac’s wife.

1. Why does the Bible emphasize Abraham’s physical state at this time?
2. What would have brought him to point of realizing his own mortality?
3. Why did the writer mention the blessings that God had poured out on Abraham?
4. What are differences in the focus of young people and those who are much older?
5. What would have concerned Abraham at this point in his life?
6. What was the last piece missing that would make his life complete?
7. Without consideration to age what are some of the things that you want to accomplish?
8. How would those thoughts be different if you realized that you only had a short time to live? 
9. What would be important in that situation?

Genesis 24:2-4

Abraham called his most trusted and oldest servant to carry on a very important assignment. This was to be a mission that Abraham could not trust to just any of his servants. He had be assured that the man chosen would be have the ability to accomplish the task Abraham was about give him.  Although not named here most commentators believe the servant was Eliezer of Damascus. 

The practice of commanding the servant to place his hand under the thigh may seem strange in today’s culture.  In that day it indicated the procreative power and recognition of the fact that Abraham was the patriarch through whom the family would continue and be established. That act showed the seriousness of the task ahead for the servant.  He was to swear not to take a wife for Isaac from among the godless Canaanite women.  Isaac’s wife was to come from Abraham’s family that had remained back in Aram (today’s Syria).

1. Why would he entrust such an important task to a servant?
2. Why was Eliezer specifically chosen?
3. Why did Abraham not go himself to get a wife for Isaac?
4. What was the symbolism of the placing the hand under the thigh?
5. Why did Abraham not want Isaac to marry one of the local women?

Genesis 24:5-7

Abraham went into great detail with Eliezer about the journey he was being asked to take. He was also given the reason he was going. He was to look for a maiden from Abraham’s family back in Aram who would be willing to return with him to marry Isaac. To make sure that he would fulfill the desires of his master the servant then asked a legitimate question. He wanted to know the lengths to which he was to go to obtain a wife for Isaac. He asked Abraham if he should not succeed in convincing one of the girls in the family to come with him did he have permission to take Isaac back to Aram to see if by doing so they would be successful. Abraham was adamant in his rejected of that idea. 

The explanation to Eliezer would have cleared up any doubt about his task.  God had commanded Abraham to leave his family and to go into Canaan which God promised to him as an inheritance.  He then encouraged the servant by telling him not to worry God would give him success by sending an angel ahead of him to prepare the way.

1. Why did the servant raise the question about the success or failure of the mission?
2. Why did Abraham not want Isaac to go back to the place from which Abraham had left sixty-five years earlier?
3. Why did Abraham take the time to emphasize his reasons?
4. What encouragement did Abraham give to Eliezer?
5. What lesson can we learn from the encouraging words of Abraham?

Genesis 24:8

The oath that was to be taken by the servant had an escape clause.  He was not to be held responsible for the possible actions of others. If the woman refused to come with him he would be freed from the oath.

1. Why was the escape clause important to the servant?
2. What does this indicate about Abraham?
3. What was the one thing that could not be guaranteed?
4. In what ways do you sometimes hold people to impossible conditions?
5. What is the one thing you must understand about how people might react to a request that you might make?
6. How do you handle rejection of your ideas?
7. In what ways do you look at them as a possible learning experience?

Genesis 24:9

It was only after he had received an explanation and answer to his question, did the servant agree to take on the mission given by Abraham.  He then placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham just affirming the oath.

1. Why did the servant question Abraham about the mission?
2. Why did he wait until he had heard Abraham’s response before he agreed to take the oath?
3. What lessons can we learn from the actions of Eliezer?

Genesis 24:10-11

The servant journeyed to the city of Nahor. He had been carried many gifts from Abraham to be presented to the prospective bride. Arriving in Nahor in the country of Aram, he waited by the well of the city waiting for the young women to come out to get water. Being from Damascus in Aram he would have known the customs of the land.

1. Why did Abraham send gifts with the servant?
2. What was the purpose of waiting at the well until evening?
3. Why did the young women wait until evening to get water?
4. In what way do we see the advantage of Eliezer being the one to make the trip to Aram to search for a wife for Isaac?

Genesis 24:12-14

At this point the servant wisely seeks God’s help.  Trying to find the right woman would have been like searching for a needle in a haystack.  He wanted to make the right decision.  His prayer was threefold.  He asked:

• For God to give him success
• That lovingkindness be shown to his master
• That the right girl be identified by certain criteria.  If she offered to not only give him water but to draw water for his camels he knew that she was the one God had chosen for Isaac.

 

1. Why did the servant seek God’s assistance?
2. What were the parts of his prayer so important?
3. Why did he ask for the answer to his prayer to be manifested in a certain way?
4. How does this speak to the way we should pray?
5. How do our prayers sometimes lack the boldness that is seen here? What is usually the result of such prayers?

You-

• Develop for yourself a clear understanding from Scripture what it means to be unequally yoked.
• Do not compromise your virtues when working with young people.
• Help those involved with unbelievers to see that type of relationship is not within the will of God.
• Approach decisions to be made and actions to taken with the wisdom of Eliezer.
• Remember you and I have a great responsibility to make sure that each person grows into a Christ-like person.

We-

We can learn something from both Abraham and Eliezer.  Abraham understood that without children being born to Isaac the promises of God could not come to fruition.  In the same way each of us who are followers of Christ must realize that without new believers the church will eventually die.  He could have stayed home and hoped that somehow the right person would show up to marry Isaac.  Realizing that was not likely to happen he took the initiative to send his servant to Aram to get a wife.

Eliezer understood the critical nature of the task he was being given.  He wanted to make sure that he was clear about every aspect of Abraham’s instructions.  Only when he felt that he and Abraham were on the same page was he willing to make the journey.  We have been given God’s instruction manual, concerning how we are to live and make good decisions.  God expects us to be of one mind with Him before proceeding with any actions affecting the lives of young people and new believers.  Let us only continue on life’s journey when we know what God wants us to do.  If we will do that we can expect success in the ministries of the church.

Additional Notes:

BL-Chapter 24 was also studied briefly. In this chapter we saw how Abraham followed God’s plan for finding a wife for Isaac. Since Abraham was so old, he appointed his oldest servant to this task. The servant followed Abraham’s explicit orders to not have Isaac marry any of the Canaanite daughters. Instead he was instructed to return to Abraham’s father’s household in Nahor, Mesopotamia and return with a wife from there.

            After the long journey, the servant prayed for success in this endeavor.  The servant meeting Rebecca at a local well there answered the prayer.  Rebecca was the granddaughter of Abraham’s brother, Nahor and his wife, Milcah.  Buddy then led us in to a profound discussion about why Abraham barred Isaac from marrying a Canaanite daughter. Our discussion revealed that like Abraham, we too have the responsibility to keep our children from practicing the lifestyles and worship practices that offend God. Isaac’s wife had to be one who willingly agreed with God’s plan for Isaac’s and his offspring’s lives.

If Isaac had wed a Canaanite daughter, her lifestyle, including the worship of false gods would have compromised Isaac’s descendant’s dedication and service to the God of Israel.

Likewise, each of our families at Bethany Place also must guard against similar compromises to our worship practices and godly living. One needs only to look at other churches’ policies, worship practices and members’ lifestyles to see how vitally important it is for us and our families to maintain a closer and purer relationship with God on a daily basis.

M-Being motivated to take a certain action comes from an understanding and sensitivity to the fact that God is in the process of accomplishing something in one’s life.  Abraham knew that God was establishing a people through him.  To have his son marry one of the women from the godless society in which he lived might abort God’s plan for His people.  He also had faith that if God were to lead his servant to a certain person to be Isaac’s wife he could be assured that He was choosing the right person to continue His purpose for Abraham’s family.  Hopefully, when confronted with the same situation that each of us would take the same amount of care in making sure the relationships that our children develop are the ones God would want for them.  Our children should be encouraged to look for a mate who will have the same value system that they do.                              (Gen. 24:1-8, 12-14, 40, 48)

GC-Abraham may not have understood the concept of unequally yoked of which Paul spoke, but he was making sure that the son of promise would not marry outside of the family.  What prompted him to make this decision?  Was it God’s words that the locals would one day be destroyed because of their sin? (Gen. 24:3; Neh. 13:23-30)

TM-Abraham had believed God that the land on which he was dwelling was the place where he was supposed to stay. Isaac was not to go back to Nahor because his inheritance was in the land of Canaan.  Ur represented a retreat into and a compromise with a pagan society.  Abraham knew that the temptation to become a part of society would be too strong for Isaac to resist. (Gen. 24:5-7)

TM-Abraham was a great influence on those under his care, as we see by the prayers and worship of his Eliezer. (Gen. 24:12-14, 26-27, 42-45, 48, 52)

GC-Abraham’s servant understood that all tasks should be undertaken only after time had been spent in earnest prayer.  He also remembered to give thanks once his assignment was complete. (Gen. 24:12-14, 26, 27)

RT-It is obvious from the way that Abraham’s servant lifted his requests to God that Abraham had truly impacted the man’s life by godly example. (Gen 24:12-14, 27, 48)

RT-Success should be predicated on our desire to serve the Lord and in doing so, to be a servant of others.  Success is never for our own glory but for the Father’s. (Gen. 24:12)