Lesson Fourteen

A BRIDE FOR ISAAC

Memory Verse: Psalm 32:8
Further Study: Genesis 24; Patriarchs and Prophets 171-176; The Story of Redemption 84-86; The Bible Story, vol. 1, pp. 177-186

The denomination that I work for has developed a strategic plan that is called “I Will Go.” This plan is focused primarily on answering God’s call to witness to unreached people around the world. “I Will Go” stirs your heart to think of missionaries in foreign lands; of people accepting the gospel in what was once a place of darkness. After reading and studying Genesis 24, I realize it is something much more meaningful.

Consider the story. Abraham desires a wife for his beloved son. He does not want Isaac to leave the land of promise and so entrusts a servant to seek a wife from his family. The servant travels about 900 miles with a caravan of 10 camels laden with gifts. Upon arrival he prays that God points out the right girl by her offer to water his camels. Before the prayer is finished, Rebekah arrives and all unfolds just as the servant requested.

Before the prayer is finished, Rebekah arrives and all unfolds just as the servant requested. 

Knowing now exactly who God selected for Isaac, the servant is anxious to be on his way to deliver to his master’s son this valuable gift of the perfect bride. The family, wanting her to stay a little longer, asks Rebekah if she’s willing to leave, having only known for 24 hours that she is to become the bride of a perfect stranger. Her response is short and to the point: “I will go.”

Think of all that is encompassed in her response. In this case, she isn’t an evangelist, a missionary, or even a witness. She is simply accepting God’s call. A man she does not know arrives bearing gifts and the request to marry a man she also does not know. She must leave her family going to a distant country, probably never seeing her home again. Yet she does not hesitate. “I will go.” Like Abraham, she also takes a step of faith into an unknown future.

Like Abraham, she also takes a step of faith into an unknown future. 

God calls us each and every day to follow Him. Sometimes it is to unseen places to do unknown things. But He continually supplies us with the strength and grace to do whatever is asked. Our simple response should be “I will go.” It is expressing our faith day by day in the One who calls us where we find renewal.

Digging Deeper 

The coming together of Isaac and Rebekah can read like a sweet romance—the beautiful bride from a distant land who meets the young groom who loves her and makes her his wife. But their story is rich with symbolism related to Jesus and His bride, the church.*

Both Rebekah and the Church:

• Were chosen for marriage before they knew it (Eph. 1:3-4)
• Were necessary for the accomplishment of God’s eternal purpose (Eph. 3:10-11)
• Were destined to share in the glory of the son (Son) (John 17:22-23)
• Learned of the son (Son) through his representative
• Must leave all with joy to be with the son (Son)
• Were loved and cared for by the son (Son)

Both Isaac and Jesus:

• Were promised before their coming
• Finally appeared at the appointed time
• Were conceived and born miraculously
• Were given a special name before birth
• Were offered up in sacrifice by the father
• Were brought back from the dead (symbolically for Isaac)
• Were head of a great company to bless all people
• Prepared a place for their bride
• Had a ministry of prayer until united with the bride

*original thoughts from David Guzik, enduringword.com

Making it Real

When my girls were toddlers, I began praying specifically for their husbands. I knew that somewhere God had little boys who would eventually grow up to become the one who would love and treasure my daughters. I prayed for them and for their parents that they would grow into fine Christian young men.

As my girls grew and became young women who would begin dating, my prayers changed a bit. Now I asked God not only to continue to care for those young men, but to open the eyes and hearts of my girls to only the one God wanted for them. I can say with gratitude that my prayers were answered. Both my sons-in-law are answers to my prayers; both girls are happy, loved, and cherished. My heart is full and I am abundantly grateful to God for creating two new Christian households where His name is praised.

Do you have children or grandchildren, nieces, or nephews? Pray for them as Abraham and Eliezer did for Isaac. It is never too early or late to start. Pray for them to discover the Christian man or woman that is their hearts desire, but more importantly the one that God has designed just for them.

Respond & Share

What traits should a Christian look for in another individual when considering marriage? Share your thoughts in the comments.

_________

Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being the grandmother of two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus.

Coming next week:
“TWINS THAT WEREN’T ALIKE”
Based on Colossians 3:9; Genesis 25:7-11; Genesis 25:7-11, 19-34; 27:1-40;
PP 177-182; SR 87-89; BS, vol. 2, pp. 9-19