Thursday, August 27, 2020

Seder 22: Abraham's Servant Succeeds---Gen 24

 In Genesis 24, Abraham's servant is focused on his assignment to find a bride for Isaac.  We might view him as a forerunner of John the Baptist in his role as a "friend of the bridegroom" (John 3:29-30).  

The servant convinces Rebekah's family that Rebekah is indeed God's choice for Isaac's bride.  Rebekah shows herself to have the character of Abraham when she agrees unhesitatingly to return with the servant to marry Isaac (v 58).  

Christian teacher Ravi Zacharias, in his book I, Isaac, Take Thee, Rebekah, noted several factors that increased the chances for success in the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah:

  • They did not make the decision to marry entirely on their own.  Both families were involved, and God's guidance was sought. 
  • Both Isaac and Rebekah were both of strong moral character and ready for marriage.
  • They made a commitment.  Commentators have often seen significance in the order of events described in Gen 24:  "she became his wife, and he loved her."  They made a commitment to each other, and love followed.

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Seder 24: Psalm 87---Praise to Zion, Mother of Nations

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