Isaac’s Marriage

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 15, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 37.

Isaac’s Marriage

Lesson I.—Sabbath, October 1, 1898.

Isaac’s Marriage.

Lesson Scripture, Genesis 24, R.V.

Note 1.—This, it will be noticed, is a topical lesson, and not a series of questions on the text. The student will form his own questions. We have not space to print this long chapter in this department; but we are persuaded that the SIGNS readers all have Bibles.

I. PRELIMINARY:

1. Abraham blessed. (a) In age. (b) In all things. Verse 1.

2. The oath. (a) With whom. Verse 2. (b) By whom. Verse 3. (c) What it was. Verses 6, 8. (d) The condition. Verses 5, 8. (e) The confirmation. Verses 2, 9.

3. Encouragement. Verse 7.

II. DEPARTURE OF SERVANT:

1. Preparation. Verse 10.

2. To what country and city. Verse 10.

III. AT THE WELL.

1. Where and at what time of day. Verse 11.

2. Prayer. Verses 12–14.

3. Meeting with Rebecca. (a) Her lineage. Verse 15. (b) Her beauty. Verse 16. (c) Her character. Verses 16–20. (d) The servant’s reflections, and conversation with Rebecca. Verses 21–25.

4. Thanksgiving. Verses 26, 27.

IV. AT THE HOUSE:

1. First information. Verse 28.

2. Invitation, or welcome. Verses 29–31.

3. Hospitality. Verses 32, 33.

4. Servant’s speech. (a) Abraham’s prosperity. Verses 34, 35. (b) The sole heir. Verse 36. (c) The oath. Verses 37–41. (d) At the well. Verses 42–48. (See note.) (e) The important question. Verse 49.

5. The way prospered. (a) The consent. Verses 50, 51. (b) Worship. Verse 52. (c) Presents. Verse 53. (d) Haste. Verse 54. (e) Rebecca consulted. Verses 55–58.

6. The departure. (a) Who. Verses 59, 61. (b) The blessing. Verse 60.

Side Helps.—“Patriarchs and Prophets,” pages 171–176; “Spirit of Prophecy,” vol. 1, pp. 101–105; Geikie’s “Hours with the Bible,” vol. 1, pp. 405–413.

Note 2.—Notice that Abraham’s servant’s prayer was of the heart—true prayer, a prayer which received an immediate answer. “Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary, in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him.”

“Every prayer which is sent up in faith from an honest heart, will be heard of God and answered; and the one that sent up the petition will have the blessing when he needs it most, and it will often exceed his expectations. Not a prayer of a true saint is lost if sent up in faith, from an honest heart.”

Additional Study.

1. What in the life of Isaac reveals the truthfulness of the statement of the Lord concerning Abraham, in Gen. 18:19? What in the life of Eliezer?

2. Who really selected a wife for Isaac? Through what agencies?

3. Why did not Abraham wish Isaac ever to go back to the country of his kindred? Why did Abraham leave home and kindred?

4. What should precede and what follow every important act of ours?—Prayer, thanksgiving.

5. Of whom was the servant’s first thought? His last? Where did he keep self?

6. What lessons are there in this chapter for parents? For children?

7. Who besides Eliezer doubtless prayed for his success? What lesson in this for us?

8. How is the faith of Abraham, of Isaac, of Eliezer, and the others, manifested in this chapter? How are we to show our faith in the Lord’s guidance? Can a servant of God believe in mere chance?

9. Who accompanied Eliezer? Who accompanies us?

10. What characteristics of Abraham, of his servant, of Rebecca, of Laban, and of Isaac, are brought to light in this chapter?

11. How old was Isaac when he took Rebecca to wife? Gen. 25:20. How long after Sarah’s death? Gen. 17:17; 23:1.

12. Look up the following subjects,—oath, marriage, wife, camels, damsel, pitcher, bracelets, ring, jewels, nurse, Laban, Rebecca, Mesopotamia, Haran.

13. Note the order of consent to the marriage on the part of Bethuel’s family. What is the present order?