Genesis 24

We had a foreshadowing of what was to come from Genesis 22:20-24.

Notice Abraham’s trust here. Although we can’t rule out that God actually revealed His plan to Abraham, it seems that Abraham acted on his own initiative based on what he believed God wanted.

Genesis 24:7 (WEB) “The LORD, the God of heaven—who took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my birth, who spoke to me, and who swore to me, saying, ‘I will give this land to your offspring’ —he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.”

Is it fair to think that all woman from the Canaanites would be unsuitable? With their cultures refusal to recognize the true God and their propensity to engage in activities like human sacrifice, isn’t it better to be safe than sorry? God was never concerned about people intermarrying because of race, but he has always been concerned about marriage outside of faith.

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 (WEB) “Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever?”

Even if not specifically a believer, Laban at least recognized God’s leadership in the situation. His response also shows us something about family relationships at that time.

Genesis 24:50-51 (WEB) “Then Laban and Bethuel answered, ‘The thing proceeds from the LORD. We can’t speak to you bad or good. Behold, Rebekah is before you. Take her, and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as the LORD has spoken.’ ”

There are many reasons why Rebekah may have been willing to leave right away, ranging from faith to escape. Let’s just assume she’s excited to start her new life!

Should we do what we see here? Should we try to ask God for signs? Should we set up tests? While God is very gracious to Abraham’s servant here, we are most likely to understand how God works in retrospect. Even Jesus didn’t presume to test God.

Matthew 5:4-7 (WEB) “Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you,” and, “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.” ‘ Jesus said to him, ‘Again, it is written, “You shall not test the Lord, your God.” ’ ”

Thought for the day: What do you think of Isaac being comforted as a result of being married?

Ephesians 5:31, 33 (WEB) ” “For this cause a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife. Then the two will become one flesh.” … Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”