Gen 24 – The story of how Abraham sends his eldest servant to search for a bride for Isaac (summary).
- DON’T LOOK FOR A SPOUSE FROM AMONG THE UNBELIEVERS
Gen 24:1-4 – “Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh, 3 and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; 4 but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”
Abraham made his servant take an oath not to select a bride for Isaac from among the Canaanite women.
Therefore, as believers, we should not seek a spouse among unbelievers.
1 Cor 7:39 – “A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.”
The Word of God says that we can marry whomsoever we will, but only in the Lord.
What happens when you marry an unbeliever:
1) They cannot love you with AGAPE love (God kind of love)
2) They cannot partner with you under attack of the enemy, whether in prayer or in faith.
3) You will live in constant state of strife & stress
4) They cannot partner with you in the purpose of God
Isaac got married to the right kind of person and his legacy blessed the world. But his son Esau missed his inheritance because of his wrong marriage.
- INVOLVE YOUR PARENTS & MENTORS FROM THE START TO THE END
Pro 11:14 – “Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”
“In many counselors there is safety”
Both in Isaac and Rebekah’s case, their parents and their elders are involved right from the start:
Youngsters today are not seeking guidance; instead, they just give information to their parents of whom they have already chosen to be their partner. If you truly want to live a blessed life, if you truly honor God and the elders in your life, involve them from the start and all the way through the process of finding a life partner.
>>They know you and whether you are ready
>>Many a times when you like someone, you could overlook their character flaws. Therefore, it is important to allow mentors to open your eyes to serious character issues.
Allow your mentors to check you before your feelings wreck you.
->When you like someone, you could overlook their character issues. Therefore, it is important to allow mentors to open your eyes to serious character issues.
- PRAY FOR “QARAH” FAVOR
Gen 24:12 – Then he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
Here it says that, before he selects Rebekah, the servant prays for “success”. In the word “Success” there is QARAH. QARAH means “a divine occurrence” – It means to happen to be at the right place, right time.”
The servant was there and Rebekah was there; both met because of QARAH.
When all girls came out for water where were the other girls? Did the angels stop the other girls away from the well? (Gen 24:7).
->Testimony
Mr. Nazareth, a Jewish man heavily involved in rinks and drugs, found his life completely transformed the day someone invited him to church and he gave his life to God. He was believing for a godly wife. While his father was on his deathbed, a shocking request was made: “Can you go to the Gaza Strip?” Knowing Hamas was there and that they killed Christians, he trusted God and went anyway. During his trip, he attended a dinner with an atheist friend, the friend’s fiancée, and her sister. Noticing his joy, they asked, “Why are you so happy?”
He smiled and replied, “God changed my life, and I have this new hope!”
Through that conversation, he discovered that the single sister was also a Christian, who had been praying for a fellow believer in that dangerous part of the world. He used the opportunity and asked her, “Will you marry me?” After three days of fasting and prayer, she said yes.
Today, Mr. Nazareth travels the world as a stand-up comedian, and shares his incredible story of how God will lead you to find the right life partner
- APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE “WELL”
Gen 24:11 – Rebekah found the servant at the well.
Gen 24:62 – Isaac was meditating near Beer Lahoi Roi. And met Rebekah at the well
Gen 29:2 – Jacob met Rachel at the well.
Exo 2:15 – Moses met Zipporah at the well.
What is the Well? The well is where the shepherd leads his sheep to receive their refreshment and rest – It is the picture of the Church gathering.
- SUBMIT TO THE HOLY SPIRIT & PURSUE AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM
Isaac submitted to the unnamed servant and Rebekah trusted him. He is a type of the Holy Spirit.
If God the Father trusts the Holy Spirit to prepare a bride for Christ and leads her to Christ – how much is He capable of finding your life partner?
- Kenneth Hagin says, “Success is always the result of following the leading of the Holy Spirit.”
2 Cor 13:14 – The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the [d]communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen
The first relationship you need is with him: He will heal you and make you whole!
“Love comes naturally to women, and respect comes naturally to men. But God tells women to learn to respect, and men to learn to love! Only the Holy Spirit can empower us to do this.”
You don’t need a girlfriend or a boyfriend; you need the God-friend.
Conclusion
We learn 5 very important principles to follow when seeking a godly life partner. As we apply this wisdom and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit—cultivating an intimate relationship with Him—He will guide us to the right partner and bless our marriage, all for the glory of God.”