SEMESTER 2
425 – God’s Bride for Isaac
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: BIBLE SURVEY II LESSON # 25
GOD’S BRIDE FOR ISAAC
Read Gen. 22:20-24
and Gen. 24:1-67.
INTRODUCTION:
Notice: Until we come to the Minor Prophets, this chronological study of the Bible will follow the format of the book, MAJOR BIBLE EVENTS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. The lessons will be more comprehensive since the constituency is more mature.
1. As we note these Major Bible Events in the following lessons there are several things I want to keep before you in each lesson.
i. The time element B.C.
ii. The place of the event in the entire Bible theme.
iii. The movement toward the New Testament revelation of Christ.
I. THE TIME ELEMENT
1. Approximately 1809 B.C., approximately 2088 years after creation.
2. Abraham is about 140 years old, Isaac is 40 and Sarah has been dead about 3 years.
3. It is 65 years after Abraham came into the land of Canaan.
4. It is about 150 years before Israel will go into Egypt to live.
II. THE DIVINE REVELATION AND SELECTION
1. You should notice that the revelation of Gen. 22:20-24 is to show Abraham the offspring of his brother, Nahor.
2. All of this revelation is consummated in one person, Rebekah.
3. We should understand then that the choice of Rebekah, was neither coincidence, nor Abraham’s, but the very choice of God. (Gen. 24:14)
III. THE PURPOSE OF THIS SELECTION
1. Negatively, Isaac’s wife must not be of the land of Canaan (a Hamite). (Gen. 24:3)
2. She is to be of Abraham’s kindred and country.
3. The reason for this is that God had chosen to give the seed through Shem, not Japheth or Ham.
4. Thus, not only the father (Isaac) but the mother (Rebekah) is to be of the Semitic bloodline.
IV. THE POWER OF DIVINE SELECTION
The hypothetical question, “What if I cannot get a bride to come from that country?” has answers, and in them is great Bible teaching for us.
1. If she will not come, you are free from your responsibility, which is to invite. (Gen. 24:8)
2. But remember such a question is hypothetical “Thou shalt go…and take a wife unto my son.”
3. God has a purpose, He has revealed it and called Abraham therein. (Gen. 24:7)
4. He will send His angel (messenger) before the messenger (Eliezer) and she will come.
V. TYPES IN THIS PASSAGE
1. Abraham – God the Father.
2. Isaac – God the Son.
3. Rebekah – The believer who comes to Christ.
4. Eliezer – The preacher of the gospel.
5. The angel who went before him – The Holy Spirit.
VI. APPLICATIONS OF TYPES AND THEIR ACTIONS
1. The father sends for a certain one, but does not reveal the identity to the messenger.
2. The messenger goes by faith, knowing God has chosen, but not who. (Gen. 24:12-14)
3. Isaac, who is the heir of all Abraham’s wealth, pays the cost of Eliezer’s going and Rebekah’s coming. (Gen. 24:10,53,61 compared to Gen. 24:34-36)
4. Rebekah comes willingly (Gen. 24:56-58), but behind that decision and all that led up to it was the Father’s purpose (Gen. 24:4), the Son’s price (Gen. 24:36, 53) and the Spirit’s effectual calling (Gen. 24:7,40,56).
5. The Son now awaits the purchased possession and where He is, we shall be also. (Gen. 24:61-67)