Our reading for today begins with the death of Sarah, the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac. Following her death, Abraham purchases land so that he can bury her body and sends his servant to find Isaac a wife. In these two stories, we see Abraham’s confidence in God’s work and promise. He purchases land from Ephron the Hittite to bury his wife, committing to the Promised Land in a dramatic way by ensuring that Sarah and his remains would both rest in the land God had led him to. Then, rather than arranging a politically advantageous marriage from among the Canaanites, Abraham burdens his servant with the responsibility of finding Isaac a wife from among people who know God – his own relatives. This approach to marriage diverges in two major ways from our modern day understanding. First, marriage forms the basis for the love of husband and wife contrasting the modern view that romance and emotion are precursors to marriage. Second, Rebekah is Isaac’s first cousin once removed. The closeness of Isaac and Rebekah’s bloodline comes from a different time and a different culture. The attitude towards the commitment of marriage represents an institution God formed for mankind that still speaks to our relationships in this time and in this place.
Today’s B.I.B.L.E. Takeaways:
Blessings from God
Our readings today show a blessing from God as He provides a wife for Isaac who faithfully knew the one, true God.
Instructions for Us
The lesson we can draw from today’s reading comes from the attitude Abraham, Isaac, and Rebekah have toward marriage. God wants lifelong faithfulness and a vow before Him to form the foundation for marriage, rather than just how we feel about a person. This demands permanence from a marital relationship.
Biblical Connections
This passage draws some connections between the different nations and families that run through the Old Testament.
Laborious Understandings
The most difficult challenge in understanding these chapters comes from the radical difference between our culture today and the society of Abraham’s time.
Enjoyable Passages
I enjoy the story of Genesis 24 and generally find Old Testament narratives fun to read; however, no single verse jumps out at me from these passages.
Topics to Pray About:
Thank God for marriage and for upholding His promise to Abraham.
Confess to God times when you don’t respond to blessings by recognizing their source as in Genesis 24:27
Ask God to uphold marriage in our society and our world.
Rebekah
Genesis 23-24
Our reading for today begins with the death of Sarah, the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac. Following her death, Abraham purchases land so that he can bury her body and sends his servant to find Isaac a wife. In these two stories, we see Abraham’s confidence in God’s work and promise. He purchases land from Ephron the Hittite to bury his wife, committing to the Promised Land in a dramatic way by ensuring that Sarah and his remains would both rest in the land God had led him to. Then, rather than arranging a politically advantageous marriage from among the Canaanites, Abraham burdens his servant with the responsibility of finding Isaac a wife from among people who know God – his own relatives. This approach to marriage diverges in two major ways from our modern day understanding. First, marriage forms the basis for the love of husband and wife contrasting the modern view that romance and emotion are precursors to marriage. Second, Rebekah is Isaac’s first cousin once removed. The closeness of Isaac and Rebekah’s bloodline comes from a different time and a different culture. The attitude towards the commitment of marriage represents an institution God formed for mankind that still speaks to our relationships in this time and in this place.
Today’s B.I.B.L.E. Takeaways:
Blessings from God
Our readings today show a blessing from God as He provides a wife for Isaac who faithfully knew the one, true God.
Instructions for Us
The lesson we can draw from today’s reading comes from the attitude Abraham, Isaac, and Rebekah have toward marriage. God wants lifelong faithfulness and a vow before Him to form the foundation for marriage, rather than just how we feel about a person. This demands permanence from a marital relationship.
Biblical Connections
This passage draws some connections between the different nations and families that run through the Old Testament.
Laborious Understandings
The most difficult challenge in understanding these chapters comes from the radical difference between our culture today and the society of Abraham’s time.
Enjoyable Passages
I enjoy the story of Genesis 24 and generally find Old Testament narratives fun to read; however, no single verse jumps out at me from these passages.
Topics to Pray About:
In His Service,
J. LeBorious