GENESIS 24:1-7; DEUTERONOMY 7:3-4: 2 CORINTHIANS 6:14-18GENESIS 24:1-7
– 1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
– 2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
– 3 And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
– 4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
– 5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
– 6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.
– 7 The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.
INTRODUCTION
Tonight, we are taking on THE MARRIAGE AND FAMILY OF HEAVENWARD BELIEVERS.
Genesis 24:1. The Lord blessed Abraham in all things and yet, He will not forsake God. He didn’t live a self-centred life but still depended on God in every thing. He made all members of his household to know and fear the Lord. So, he called the eldest of his servants and made him swear that he would not choose a wife for his son, Isaac among the ungodly.
There are principles we are going to learn from, principles are different from practices. We cannot do some things that was done then – marrying from our tribe, telling our servants to…
We are dwelling on principles that have been attested to in the new testament. Isaac and Rebecca did not have the Bible in their own time to read for guidance. We cannot even be talking about giving her gifts like jewellery or nose-rings because they didn’t have the Scripture speaking against such.
- FAITH FOUNDATION FOR A FAVOURED FAMILY (Genesis 24:7)
- Abraham’s Faith for Isaac’s Bride (Genesis 24:7,40; Romans 4:20-21)
Abraham had to have faith for Isaac’s bride.
Genesis 24:40. The servant retold the story as he prayed for guidance.
Now, isaac had grown and is 40 but Abraham still had faith for him.
- The Servant’s Faith with Intercessory Breakthrough (Genesis 24:12–21,27-48; James 1:5–8)
Here was the first time to do something like this. It was necessary to be careful because Isaac was a son of promise.
The servant prayed for help and was led to the house of his master’s people because he was in the right way.
vs 48. He bowed his head and worshipped God the same way Abraham did it. We must introduce Christ to our domestic helps.
James 1:5. If you lack wisdom, revelation, assurance, direction, direction and stability, ask from God who will give you liberally.
- Rebekah’s Faith for Inherited Benefits (Genesis 24:23–26,50-51,58; 1 Peter 1:8-9)
Look at the young bride who was cling…
Rebecca was not under pressure to marry. As at the morning of that day, she was not aware of her hands being asked for in marriage. The servant asked her if there was space in her father’s house, she answered well. We can see that she was well brought up. When she was asked if she would go with the servant, she, by faith said Yes. This is the faith that takes steps on things that are in the future. She didn’t know how rich and generous Isaac was, yet, she went to him.
- Isaac’s Faith for an Immediate Betrothal (Genesis 24:62–67; Hebrews 11:8,27
Isaac believed that the journey of Eliezer would turn out well. He didn’t even think about what he would not like about Rebecca. He was in the field in the evening meditating in a positive way. How do you meditate? Do you focus on positive or negative things?
As soon as Rebecca saw Isaac, she got down from the camel, and Isaac brought her into her mother’s house and loved her. He did everything in faith, he didn’t hold back, he did not hide anything from her. He didn’t compare her to his mother, neither did he condemn her as not anywhere near his mother. It was like Abraham left his people and land of nativity to follow the voice of God, going to a place he did not know. Isaac also believed and followed God’s directions as regards his marriage.
- FRUITFUL FELLOWSHIP IN A FAITHFUL FAMILY (Genesis 24:67; 25:20-21,26b)
Both Isaac and Rebecca brought many blessings to the family which God created for them.
ISAAC in the Family
#I ~ Industriousness for an Adequate Provision (Genesis 26:12-13; 1 Timothy 5:8)
Genesis 26:12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. 13 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:” What we sow is what we reap. If we don’t sow, we won’t reap. Isaac was blessed because he was industrious and hardworking, not because he was the son of Abraham.
1 Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” You have to work hard so that you can provide for your family.
#S ~ Steadfastness despite Adversaries’ Pushbacks (Genesis 26:18–22; 1 Corinthians 16:9)
Some people get discouraged easily whenever they encounter pushbacks. Not Isaac. He was not deterred despite the fact that the people of the land strove with his herdsmen and took over the well he dug. As they opposed him, he kept moving to other places. This is wisdom, you may need to leave that where you are being pushed back. Keep trying, don’t give up until you succeed. As they push you back, push forward.
1 Corinthians 16:9 “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” Paul encountered many opposition but he didn’t give up and sit back at home, not doing what God gave him to do.
#A ~ Attainment of an Agreeable Posture (Genesis 26:35; 27:46; 28:1–3)
It is very important that husbands and wives have quality time to sit and talk. We must attain to an agreeable posture as we seek to discuss.
#A ~ Advancing Towards the Affirmed Promise (Genesis 26:2–6; Revelation 2:10)
Genesis 26:2 And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; 6 And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:” We must keep on advancing so that you can
#C ~ Companionship with the All-time Partner (Genesis 49:31; Romans 7:2-3)
We must accept our spouses as our all-time partners and have good relationships with them. Isaac and Rebecca continued together till old age, this will be the portion of you and your spouse in Jesus name.
REBEKAH in the Family
#R ~ Respectful without Hypocrisy (Genesis 24:64-65)
The morning shows the day. The first day Rebecca saw Isaac, she showed respect towards him. She got down from the camel and covered her face.
#E ~ Exemplary in Hygiene and Homemaking (Proverbs 31:29–31)
When Rebecca saw the servant of Abraham for the first time, she showed that she was hygienic and a good home maker because she not only drew water for the servant and others with him, he also drew some for the cattle. May this be the portion of our sisteras in Jesus name.
Proverbs 31:29-31 “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”
#B ~ Building Up the Home for Happiness (Proverbs 14:1; 31:15,27)
Ad soon as Rebecca came to Isaac, he was comforted from the demise of his mother because she took goof care of him, and Isaac looked no further….
#E ~ Exhibiting Honesty and Holiness (Philippians 4:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:7)
As soon as Rebekah asked and confirmed that the man coming towards them was Isaac, she showed him respect immediately.
What we think reflects on the way we look at, or interact with our husbands. I pray that our thinking toward ourselves and interactions will improve.
#K ~ Kind, Hospitable and Helpful (Proverbs 31:26; Romans 12:13)
Rebekah showed kindness and hospitality to Eleazer and all who were with him as soon as she met him. She was ready and willing to help out. You must ensure that you are kind towards your spouse and his relatives.
#A ~ Appreciated by Heaven and Heavenly-minded (Luke 1:28; Romans 2:29)
So that God could be called the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God showed interest in their family. I pray that God will have interest in, and show our families favour.
Luke 1:28 “And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”
#H ~ Harmless, hopeful and happy (Philippians 2:14-15; Proverbs 17:22)
Philippians 2:15-16 “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” When a man is assured of his safety with his wife, he would rest and be at peace with her.
Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” No matter the medicine prescribed for you, it won’t work if you are not happy and you are sad. Even the food you eat will not work well in your body. I pray that as from today, happiness, joy in your family in Jesus name.
- FOREVER FRESHNESS IN THE FATHER’S FAMILY (Ephesians 3:14–16)
Ephesians 3:14-16 “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” Your inner and outer man will be strengthened in Jesus name.
- Born into the Father’s Family (John 3:5–8; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:9-10; 5:1,18)
The way we come into the human family is that we are born physically, but as for the heavenly family, we are born spiritually.
- Baptized into the Father’s Fullness (Mark 16:15-16; Galatians 3:27-28; Romans 6:3–7,11-12; Acts 1:4-5,8)
It is one thing to be baptized in water, and it is another thing to be baptized and immersed in Christ Himself. As we come to Him, we will no longer serve sin. Then we are sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost. Greater fulfilment in our lives in Jesus name.
- Blessed with the Father’s Foreverness (1 John 3:1–3; 1 Thessalonians 4:15–17; Philippians 3;20-21; John 17:17,21-24)
As He lives forever, we will also live with Him.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” We will be in the family of God forever and ever. No pain, sorrow, sickness or any negative thing there forever. I cannot begin to imagine what you will enjoy as you appear there. May God help us all to get there in Jesus name.
