Lesson 9 – Isaac and Rebekah
God works his plan of salvation through the lives of Isaac and Rebekah. God’s plan for our salvation is fulfilled through Jesus, their descent.
Opening
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
This lesson will use the Bible, the Bible Exploration Guide and the Lesson9 Leaflet from the Student Pack. The front cover shows how the artist sees Isaac meeting Rebekah, his future wife. Also paper and pencil will be needed.
Watch the video, "1-MINUTE ANSWER: Leaving Home".
Prayer: Almighty God, who calls many to leave their homes to do Your work in other places, prepare our hearts for where You will lead us. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Speaks
There is a difference between swearing and cursing. Swearing is when someone may make a statement or promise with God as witness, such as in a trial. Cursing wishes evil upon someone. Both may involve saying obscenities.
This lesson shows someone swearing by making a promise with God as the witness.
Abraham was 140 and Isaac was 40. Sarah had died three years prior (Genesis 25:20; 23:1-2).
Read Genesis 24:1-9
The mission: to find a wife for Isaac from Abraham's kin, a godly wife, not a Canaanite.
So who swore to make a promise to Abraham? Abraham's servant swore to go to Haran and look for a wife for Isaac.
Whom did Abraham make the servant swear by? Abraham made the servant swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and earth. Abraham made the servant put his hand under his thigh, a cultural gesture that accompanied the oath.
Why do you think Abraham didn't want Isaac to marry a Canaanite woman? The Canaanites worshiped idols and lived pagan lives. Another reason Abraham may not have wanted Isaac to marry someone from the Canaanite family was because Noah cursed them. Canaan was the son of Noah's son Ham.
What other concerns did Abraham have (vv. 5, 8)? If the woman wouldn't return to Canaan, Abraham didn't want him to take Isaac to her and away from the land God promised to give them.
Look at the family chart on page 2 of the leaflet.
How was Rebekah related to Abraham and Isaac? Rebekah was Abraham's great niece and Isaac’s second cousin (or first cousin, once removed).
Follow the directions under Coincidence or God's Guidance? on page 2.
SECTION ONE: Read Genesis 24:10-33
Verses 10-14
What did the servant take to Nahor, the city of Abraham's brother? (Also check v. 32.) Ten camels, men to help, and all sorts of choice gifts, most likely for the bride and her family as well as Abraham's kin.
What did the servant ask the Lord, God of his master Abraham, to do? He asked God to grant him success and show steadfast love to Abraham by showing him the right woman for Isaac: that when he asked for a drink, the right woman would give him one and then offer to water his camels as well.
What words show the servant's confidence that God already picked a wife for Isaac? Let her be the one whom You have appointed for Your servant Isaac" (v. 14).
The servant's request may seem ridiculous, but it had purpose. What did the girl's willingness to help a stranger indicate? She was hospitable, kind to others, healthy, willing to work, not shy, and able to meet new people. These are all positive attributes in a friend and a spouse.
Verses 15-21
What did Rebekah do that answered the servant's prayer? (Hint: Camels can drink up to twenty gallons of water at a time!) She gladly gave him water to drink and freely watered his camels.
Verses 22-33
Why do you think the servant gave Rebekah gifts? The gifts thanked Rebekah for her help and impressed her with the wealth of the servant or his master.
What other questions did the servant ask Rebekah? Why were these important? Asking about her parents told him if God had led him to Abraham's kin. Asking to stay at her father's house was a practicality, but the servant also wanted an opportunity to talk to her family about marriage.
Why do you think Laban, Rebekah's brother, went to meet the man? Laban saw the expensive jewelry, heard what had happened, and ran to the man. He may have been excited about the riches and opportunity to meet a connection to his uncle Abram, but he also affirmed the invitation to stay at their home.
SECTION TWO, Read Genesis 24:34-67
Verses 34-49
Abraham's servant was served dinner at Rebekah's home with her brother Laban and father, Bethuel. Why do you think the servant insisted on speaking instead of eating? He had an important message and seemed excited to share. Considering also that he wanted to leave right away the next day, we sense his urgency to complete the task.
Put the servant's last question in your own words (v. 49). Will you let Rebekah marry Isaac, or not?
Verses 50-61
How did Rebekah's father, Bethuel, and brother Laban respond? They recognized "the thing has come from the Lord" (V. 50) and said Rebekah should marry Isaac.
How did the servant respond? He bowed to the Lord in respect and honor. Then he gave Rebekah and her family gifts.
What gifts did the servant give Rebekah and her family? He gave Rebekah gold and silver jewelry and clothing. He gave her brother and mother costly ornaments.
Why? Custom dictated paying a bride price as sign of the covenant, as reimbursement for losing a worker and as prepaid alimony in case the husband left his wife.
Rebekah agreed to leave immediately, the next day. Who went with her? Her nurse who raised her, Deborah (Genesis 35:8), and other young women, probably servants
Verses 62-67
About what do you think Isaac meditated? Probably God’s promises to Abraham and if the Lord would fulfil them by finding him a wife.
What did Rebekah do when she realized Isaac walked toward them? Why? She covered herself with her veil as a sign of respect and humility. Similarly, we dress up to honor special people and special occasions.
Rebekah left her family and, as far as we know, never saw them again.
What do you think convinced her to marry Isaac? The Lord guided her decision. The circumstances probably impressed her as she saw God at work. She may have also liked the gifts and sense of adventure.
God speaks to us through His Word. As He does, we grow in understanding His Word and His work us, in the circumstances and roles we have in life, and what situations require.
God often uses signs to confirm the truth, while the devil uses signs to obscure the truth. We need to discern truth carefully, consulting God's Word, our pastors, other church workers, parents, and other Christians. God may call us to do something unexpected, such as leave home or serve Jesus as a church worker. Christ's promise gives us confidence: "Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
We Live
A Christian spouse is a wonderful gift from God. A Christian marriage is a partnership knitted together by faith.
How are the values in God's Word about choosing a spouse different from those we hear from television, movies, the Internet, and celebrities? God's Word tells us that marriage is a lifelong union of a man and a woman. The world espouses immorality, and many people no longer marry, even to have children together. Sexual intimacy before marriage and outside the marriage covenant is commonly spoken about, modeled, and recommended. The state and federal governments monitor laws about marriage, not the church, and allow homosexuals to marry. Curiously, what homosexuals fight so hard to have, heterosexuals no longer value: the benefits and joys of a marriage covenant.
If we make bad choices in relationships, we need to recognize our sin, confess to God, and receive God's forgiveness through faith in Christ, who died to pay for our sin and rose to give new life, now and forever.
God knows that we will make mistakes in relationships, and He stands ready to forgive us and help us make better decisions. Ask Him!
And know that even now, God is at work in your life and in the life of the person He has appointed as your spouse.
Read Marriage on pages 20-21 of the Bible Exploration Guide.
Read Psalm 145:15-16
“The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing”
This verse reminds us that God gives all good gifts, including spouses who share our faith in Christ.
Read Meaning 2 of the First Article of the Apostles Creed from Luther's Small Catechism shown on the back page of the leaflet.
Closing
As a closing prayer, listen to the video "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow".