Summary Genesis 25:52-67:
The servant showered the entire family with precious and costly gifts for the dowry. The next morning Laban and Bethuel tried to delay the trip, but they left immediately on Rebekah’s acquiescence. The family blessed Rebekah and sent her on the long journey to Canaan.
Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi. He, whom we can assume had been praying for a wife as well, greets the return party, hears the tale of the servant, and marries Rebekah.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 5: Genesis 24:52-67
13) The servant wants to hurry back so that his task can be completed and so that God’s will to make Abraham’s descendants into a great nation can be fulfilled. Rebekah, who will most likely never see her family again, agrees to go right away, knowing this is God’s will, too.
14) Personal Question. My answer: Moving a lot has cost friendships and connections, as well as a lost church family. Truly, in the grand scope of things, God has it, and it all works out in the end.
15) Personal Question. My answer: Isaac obeyed God too in knowing this was the wife He chose for him. God’s timing is not our own, and if we are patient, God does bring great things.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 5: Genesis 24:52-67
It’s surprising that they left the decision up to Rebekah whether to leave right away since she’s a woman who in ancient times had no say.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 5: Genesis 24:52-67
After a long journey, most of us just want to get home as soon as possible. The servant knew that Abraham was old and perhaps in ill-health, so he was hoping to get back in time in order for Abraham to know he had succeeded. Rebekah showed remarkable faith and strength to leave the only things she ever knew and to probably never see her family again to follow God’s will.
Rebekah covers herself with a veil as was customary until she was married.
We have been nothing about Isaac since his near death experience at the top of Mount Moriah. (Genesis 22:19) Presumably, he was growing strong in the Lord.
Here, in Isaac and Rebekah, we can see this as a picture of Jesus as the bridgroom and us as the people.
- God chose a wife for his Son (the people)
- The son died and was resurrected for them
- A servant, or God’s helper, was the mediator
- The bride (us) were called and cared for until the wedding day
- The bride (us) were loved by the bridegroom (Jesus)
Note that this marriage was an arranged one that God arranged through prayer. Modern-day love is important, but it’s not the end-all, be-all.
Last go-around in BSF’s study of Genesis, we were asked how this passage relates to God, Jesus, and us. Here was my response: A father desires a bride for his son. Abraham for Isaac. God for us. A son was dead and then raised from the dead. Isaac and Jesus. The bride is chosen for marriage before they knew it (Ephesians 1:3-4). Rebekah and us. The bride is divinely chosen, called, and then lavished with gifts. (Revelation 19:7-8) Rebekah and us. She is entrusted to the care of the servant before she meets her bridegroom. Rebekah and us.
Note how God had a plan for Rebekah from the beginning (Ephesians 1:3-4) for His eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:10-11). She shared in the glory of the son because of her faith (John 17:22-23). She was loved. Just like the church.
Isaac and Jesus were both promised, born from a miracle, sacrificed, resurrected, and prepared a place for the bride for eternity.
Fun fact: Isaac was 40 when he married.
Love came last here, after marriage.
Good read on Bride of Christ HERE