So yesterday at ZOE, we discussed the marital relationship between Isaac and Rebekah and everyone threw their different views to the story.
A lot was said like:
- The importance of parental consent and goodwill.
Abraham(Isaac’s father): He will send his angel ahead of you, and he will see to it that you find a wife there for my son.
Genesis 24:7b, NLT
Laban and her family(Rebekah’s brother):
So they said good-bye to Rebekah and sent her away with Abraham’s servant and his men. The woman who had been Rebekah’s childhood nurse went along with her.
They gave her this blessing as she parted:
“Our sister, may you become the mother of millions!
May your descendants be strong and conquer the cities of their enemies.”
Genesis 24:59-60, NLT
- Even when operating in faith, there’s still a space for the “What ifs?” and the “Even ifs”
The servant asked, “But what if I can’t find a young woman who is willing to travel far from home?
If she’s unwilling to come back with you, then you are free from this oath of mine.
Genesis 24:5a, 8a
For instance, you received from the Lord that a certain person is to be your spouse and the person does not want you, do you think God will leave you to become an eunuch, I don’t think so, God is way wiser and bigger than that.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied,
“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.
But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Daniel 3:16-18, NLT
- Prevailing circumstances do not stand as an excuse for unequal yokes.
The servant asked, “But what if I can’t find a young woman who is willing to travel far from home?
Should I then take Isaac there to live among your relatives in the land you came from?“
“No!” Abraham responded. “Be careful never to take my son there.
For the LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and my native land, solemnly promised to give this land to my descendants.
He will send his angel ahead of you, and he will see to it that you find a wife there for my son.
If she is unwilling to come back with you, then you are free from this path of mine. But under no circumstances are you to take my son there.“
Genesis 24:5-8, NLT
For instance, you hear a Christian lady say, “All the young, single, Christian men in my church are gone, but there’s this really handsome, ebony looking, fresh guy, he doesn’t know Christ, he’s not a believer(one who is not a Christian) at my workplace, but he’s really nice, let me just settle with him.”
Let’s see what the Word of God says:
Do not be mismatched with unbelievers.
How can right and wrong be partners?
How can light and darkness live together?
2 Corinthians 6:14, HCSB, GNT
- Though the two of them(that is, Isaac and Rebekah) did not know each other beforehand, they decided to make it(their marriage) work.
Marriage is a decision based on commitment and a dedication to make it work not on feelings/emotions(although, this is also part of it).
- Even though, Isaac and Rebekah did not know each other beforehand, God was 100% involved in the formation and match making of their relationship and his blessings was upon their union.
Let us see the promise God gave Abraham about his descendants:
I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore.
Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies.
Genesis 22:17, NLT
Let’s compare it with the blessings given to Rebekah at her departure from home.
They gave her this blessing as she parted:
“Our sister, may you become the mother of millions!
May your descendants be strong and conquer the cities of their enemies.“
Genesis 24:60, NLT
Well, you would agree that we learnt quite a lot from Isaac and Rebekah’s relationship.
If not anything, I hope you realize that when you allow God to write your love story, you won’t be disappointed, Why? Because he created you and knows what is best for you, and he will also overmeet your expectations and heart desires in bringing you your right spouse/partner if only you would release the pen to him.đź’–
Have you read and studied this story before?
Did you notice something we didn’t see?
Please feel free to share in the comment box below.
Shalom!🙌
Note:
ZOE: This is a weekly meeting where Christian youths gather at a home called, The Home of Grace, in a relaxed atmosphere, there they discuss how applicable and pratical the Word of God is, to life issues and generally just have fun by the side.
Bible versions
NLT: New Living Translation
GNT: Good News Translation
HCSB: Holman Christian Standard Bible
Reinspire! 