A BRIDE FOR THE SON

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GENESIS 24

Lesson #38

A BRIDE FOR THE SON

• Memory verse: Song of Solomon 2:10
• In Genesis 24 we will see Abraham seek to obtain a bride for his son. This chapter is another major prefigure of a New Testament truth.
  • Read Joh 3:27-29 Rev 21:2,9
  • The church is called the bride of Christ. As we read through this chapter, this prefigure will become more clear.
• Read Gen 24:1-5 A father’s concern
  • The servant is sent out to find a bride. This servant is probably Eliezer, the man Abraham adopted. (Gen 15:2)
  • The oath (2)
    • Putting the hand under the thigh was a form of swearing an oath.
      • Eliezer swore he would not seek a wife among heathen tribes but from Abraham’s own family.
      • It is thought that perhaps Abraham was expecting to die soon. The oath is to ensure that Isaac would get a good wife, and as a result there would be children to pass on the inheritance.
    • Verse 36 indicates that Abraham had already given Isaac his inheritance before he died.
  • The faith of Abraham and the faith of the servant
    • Abraham believes God will prepare the way for the servant to find just the right wife according to God’s perfect will. (7)
    • The servant prays and asks God’s direction (12). He goes to the city of Nahor. This is the same city of Haran where Abraham spent 5 years before going to the Promised Land.
• Read Gen 24:10-24 The search for a bride
  • Rebekah
  • Her name means “to tie fast”
    • The test–ten camels
    • Number 10 is the number of the standard of God by which man is tested.
      • If the girl suggests she draw water for the 10 camels, she will pass the test.
      • Camels drink a lot of water (30 gal.). This would be very strenuous and time consuming for her to do. The servant is looking for a girl who is industrious and hospitable.
  • The betrothal gifts:
    • A gold ring of half shekel weight. Probably a nose ring for the left nostril. This was the customary betrothal gift.
    • 2 gold bracelets of the weight of 10 shekels. Notice the number 10 again.
  • The family relationships:
    • Nahor, Rebekah’s grandfather, was the brother of Abraham. He was an idol worshiper who sometimes followed the Lord but vacillated back and forth.
    • Laban, Rebekah’s brother, was a deceptive man who always sought to take advantage of people. We will see him in more detail later in Genesis.
• Read Gen 24:50-58 the agreement
  • The 10 day waiting period (55)
  • The family wanted a betrothal celebration of 10 days which was not unusual.
    • However, the servant is in a hurry. Perhaps because Abraham is probably near death.
    • The decision is left to Rebekah:
    • Notice it is a test of her faith by the use of the number 10.
• Read Gen 24:61-67 The arrival of the bride
  • The marriage at the well, Lahairoi (Beersheba), which means = the living God that sees me (62):
    • Isaac took her to Sarah’s tent (67).
    • This also was a traditional custom. Rebekah would take Sarah’s place in the household.

The chronology of prefigures in Genesis 21-24

The Event		The Scripture	The Prefigure in the New Testament
The birth of Isaac	Genesis 21		The birth of Christ
The offering of Isaac	Genesis 22		The crucifixion of Jesus Christ
The purchase of a burial place for Sarah	Genesis 23		The purchase of eternal life
The search for a bride for Isaac	Genesis 24		The search for a bride for Christ

• In all these prefigures, Abraham exemplifies God while Isaac exemplifies Jesus Christ.

Abraham Searching for a Bride for Isaac	God Searching for a Bride for Christ
Abraham desires a bride for Isaac Gen 24:3	God desires a bride for Christ Mat 22:2
The un-named servant seeks a bride for Isaac Gen 24:2-3	The Holy Spirit seeks out believers to be the bride of Christ Joh 15:26-27 Joh 16:8,13-14
The servant does not speak of himself but of Isaac and his wealth Gen 24:36	The Holy Spirit does not speak of himself but lifts up Christ and the wealth of the Father. Joh 16:13-14
The servant gives gifts to the bride Gen 24:22	The Holy Spirit gives gifts to his bride, the body of Christ 1Cor 12:7-11 Gal 5:22-23
Rebekah means “to tie fast”	The bride is bound to Christ for eternity 1The 4:17
The servant brings the bride to meet the bridegroom Gen 24:61	The Holy Spirit brings the bride of Christ to meet the Lord in the air when he comes in the rapture. Rom 8:11 1The 4:14-17
Rebekah is called out to be the virgin bride Gen 24:16	The church is called out to be the virgin bride of Christ Eph 5:25-32
Rebekah loves Isaac, not having seen him, but based on the testimony of the servant Gen 24:58	Believers love Christ, not having seen him, but based on the witness of the Holy Spirit 1Pet 1:8
Isaac goes out to meet and receive his bride Gen 24:65	Christ will come to meet the bride in the air 1The 4:14-17
Isaac loved Rebekah Gen 24:67	Christ loves the church Eph 5:25
Rebekah agreed to live with Isaac in the Promised Land Gen 24:58	Believers make a commitment to live in an eternal kingdom with Christ Joh 3:15

• Application:
  • What do we learn about God from this chapter? It is God who seeks us to be the bride of Christ.
  • What do we learn about God’s guidance from this chapter?
    • If we will seek God’s way, He will direct us.
    • If we wait on Him, He will open and close the right doors.
    • We can ask God to confirm his will by circumstance but do not rely totally on circumstance. Satan can also use circumstances.

Homework

Genesis 25:1-18

• Application of Gen 24
  • Having accepted Christ into your heart, you are a member of the bride of Christ. As a member of the bride of Christ, is your life: filled with love for Christ, the bridegroom?
    • Is your life filled with the use of the gifts he has given you?
      • Read 1Cor 12:7-11 Gal 5:22-23
    • Is your life pure, white, and clean, without blemish?
      • Read Eph 5:26-27
    • Which areas need working on? Be specific!
• Preparation for Gen 25
  • Read Gen 25:1-18 Death of Abraham and the life of Isaac
    • (Advanced question) What significance is Abraham’s marriage to Keturah?
  • Make a case for life after death based on verse 8.
  • Review your notes concerning the well at Beersheba called “Lahairoi” Gen 21:22-34
• The well is also mentioned in Gen 24:62 Gen 25:11.
  • What spiritual significance is the well to Isaac’s life?
• Memory verse: Rom 3:29