창세기 Chapter 24

Translation: ESV

1

Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.

Key Message

God's blessing comes throughout the entirety of one's life, and that blessing is passed on to the next generation.

▸Chapter 24 is the story of seeking a wife for Isaac in the final stage of Abraham's life.

Chapter 24 is the story of seeking a wife for Isaac in the final stage of Abraham's life. 'The LORD had blessed Abraham in all things' is a phrase summarizing God's faithful companionship throughout Abraham's entire life. The content of this chapter is the process by which that blessing is now passed on to Isaac.

Related Verses

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
2

And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, 'Put your hand under my thigh,

Key Message

The most important matters require the most solemn commitment; Abraham treats the matter of Isaac's wife with the seriousness of a covenant-level concern.

▸Abraham requests the most solemn oath from his servant (presumed to be Eliezer).

3

'that I may make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell,'

Key Message

To preserve the purity of faith, faith principles must also take priority in the choice of a spouse.

▸'The LORD, the God of heaven and God of the earth' is the comprehensive title of God called as witness to this oath.

4

'but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.'

Key Message

Connection to the faith community is important in the choice of a spouse; seeking someone from the same source of faith is the principle.

▸Isaac's wife must be found in Haran in Mesopotamia, Abraham's homeland.

7

'The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, "To your offspring I will give this land," he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.'

Key Message

Trust that God goes ahead and guides gives courage to set out on a difficult mission.

▸Abraham looks back on the history of his calling and confesses his trust in God.

12

And he said, 'O LORD, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham.'

Key Message

The posture of a believer is to pray to God first when beginning a new task; specific prayers receive specific answers.

▸Eliezer prays to God as soon as he arrives at the well.

14

'Let the young woman to whom I shall say, "Please let down your jar that I may drink," and who shall say, "Drink, and I will water your camels" — let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.'

Key Message

Asking for a specific sign for God's guidance is faith; this sign was one that would reveal the character of the future wife.

▸Eliezer asks God for a specific sign.

15

Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder.

Key Message

God can answer before our prayers are finished; He is already preparing ahead of us.

▸'Before he had finished speaking' — the answer comes before the prayer is even complete.

16

The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up.

Key Message

Rebekah is a figure possessing both outward beauty and inward beauty of character; she is the one God has prepared as Isaac's wife.

▸Rebekah is described as a beautiful maiden.

19

When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, 'I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.'

Key Message

Uninvited kindness and voluntary service reveals Rebekah's character and completes the sign God has appointed.

▸After giving Eliezer water, Rebekah voluntarily offers to water the camels as well.

27

and said, 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the LORD has led me in the way to the house of my master's kinsmen.'

Key Message

Responding immediately with praise to answered prayer is the posture of the believer; God's steadfast love and faithfulness guide every journey.

▸Eliezer confirms the answer to prayer and immediately praises God.

50

Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, 'The thing has come from the LORD; we cannot speak to you bad or good.'

Key Message

When God's will is clear, wisdom is to submit to it in obedience; the recognition that 'the thing has come from the LORD' is the criterion for important decisions.

▸This is the conclusion of Rebekah's family after hearing Eliezer's story.

58

And they called Rebekah and said to her, 'Will you go with this man?' She said, 'I will go.'

Key Message

The decision of faith is short but resolute. Rebekah's 'I will go' is the courage to choose an unknown future by trusting God.

▸Rebekah is asked directly and she answers.

67

Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

Key Message

In a marriage guided by God, love and comfort come together; a spouse is the comforting gift God gives.

▸This chapter concludes with 'Isaac loved Rebekah.