Hello! Welcome to today’s Bible study on Genesis 24 – Isaac Marries Rebekah. According to Bible scholars, the events of Genesis 24 took place approximately in 2026 B.C.
I encourage you to turn to Genesis 24 in your Bible. Kindly invite the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read and study Genesis 24 with me. I mention this in all the Bible Studies because it is through the Holy Spirit that we get fresh revelation and knowledge to understand the word of God. I am using the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, just in case you want to know.
In this bible study, I am not going to paste the verses and highlight them in purple, as I did with all the studies. It is because this is one of the longest chapters in Genesis and the study would become too long to read and keep up with. Therefore, I suggest you to open your bible to refer to the verses and follow the commentary side-by-side here on this bible study.
In the Bible Study on Genesis 23, we read about Sarah’s death and burial and the significance of the Cave of Machpelah. In today’s Bible study on Genesis 24, we will read about Isaac marrying Rebekah and how the events unfolded leading to their marriage.
Without any further delay, let us study together Genesis Chapter 24, shall we?
The Search For The Bride Begins
Genesis 24 Verses 1-9
God had blessed Abraham, just as He had promised, in every area of his life. Abraham was well-advanced in age (and nearing his end) and he was determined to find a bride for Isaac. He called his eldest servant – Eliezer of Damascus, who ruled over everything he had (It means he trusted this servant so much) and gave him instructions to search for a bride of Isaac. He made Eliezer take an oath, in the name of the Lord, that he would not take a bride for Isaac from the Canaanites and that he would only take a bride from Abraham’s country and his family. The Canaanites were pagan worshippers and had no covenant with God. Abraham made Eliezer take an oath by asking him to place his hand under his (Abraham’s) thigh. Also, it was common in those days to marry among family.
The servant doubted if the bride would be willing to follow him to Canaan. Therefore, he asked if he should take Isaac to her (if she refused to come). Abraham strictly warned the servant that Isaac shouldn’t return to his ancestral land because the Lord had called Abraham out his father’s house and the land of his family and had given him and his heirs, Canaan as an inheritance . Abraham, further, said that if the woman was not willing to follow him, the servant would be released from this oath. Eliezer put his hand a second time under Abraham’s thigh and swore concerning all that Abraham had told him.
Notes – Taking an oath by placing the hand under the thigh
Why did Abraham asked Eliezer, his servant, to put his hand under his thigh and take an oath? It is the first time, we see this in the bible. The thigh was a symbolism of ‘posterity’ in ancient days. Putting one’s hand under the thigh to make an oath is an euphemism for ‘putting the hand on the loins‘ . Abraham had the covenant of circumcision with the Lord and The Lord gave to Abraham and his seed an inheritance and also they were to be circumcised. Therefore, Abraham made Eliezer swear by the visible sign of the covenant (the sacred covenant of circumcision), he had with God, regarding his posterity. Abraham honoured God’s covenant and wanted a bride for his heir Isaac from his family (covenant people) in order to preserve God’s covenant.
The Jewish interpretation for placing one’s hand under a thigh to take an oath simply signifies authority. According to Rabbi Ibn Ezra, the phrase “under the thigh” means literally that. When a servant puts his hand under his master’s thigh to take an oath, it denotes submission to authority and an oath to fulfill whatever the master desires.
Notes On The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.
According to the AMPC (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition), the story of Abraham sending his servant to find a bride for his son Isaac serves as a parallel to God, the Father, sending His Holy Spirit to touch the hearts of those who are willing to accept Jesus as their Lord and become His bride. This illustrates the Father’s love and care in finding a bride for His son Jesus, and so He sends His Holy Spirit with gifts to find this bride.
The Holy Spirit does not force people to become the bride of Jesus Christ. Only those who are willing will be chosen. The story of Abraham’s servant Eliezer illustrates that he was not to force the woman to follow him to marry his son. Only the willing woman was meant to be Isaac’s bride. The Holy Spirit works in the same way.
Eliezer Departs To The City Of Nahor
Genesis 24 Verses 10-11
Eliezer journeyed with Abraham’s camels, men, and gifts for the bride, to the city of Nahor in Mesopotamia, a fertile valley between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Mesopotamia, which means “between rivers,” is located in present-day Iraq and parts of Kuwait, Turkey, and Syria. Upon reaching the outskirts of Nahor, Eliezer stopped at a well outside the city. In those days, women from the city would gather at the wells in the evening to draw water. The wells served as both a social gathering place and a prominent landmark.
Eliezer Prays Earnestly
Genesis 24 Verses 12-14
Eliezer prayed to God for success and petitioned God to show kindness to Abraham. He didn’t know whom to choose as the bride for Isaac. Therefore, he let God decide. He said to God that all the women from the city were coming to draw water from the well. He prayed that whichever woman he asked for a drink would give both him and his camels a drink, would be the chosen bride for Isaac.
Eliezer Meets Rebekah
Genesis 24 Verses 15-21
Eliezer, while praying, noticed Rebekah, the granddaughter of Nahor and Milach, approaching the well to draw water. Impressed by her beauty, modesty, and unmarried status, Eliezer saw her as the perfect bride for his master Isaac. He approached Rebekah and asked her for a drink, to which she willingly obliged. She even offered to water the ten camels. Eliezer observed Rebekah silently, hoping for confirmation from the Lord that she was the chosen one for Isaac.
The Confirmation
Genesis 24 Verses 22-28
In Genesis 24:22-28, After the camels finished drinking, Eliezer, the servant, adorned Rebekah with gold jewelry and asked about her family and if she had accommodations for him and his camels. Rebekah identified herself as the daughter of Bethuel and granddaughter of Nahor and Milcah. She assured Eliezer that they had provisions for the camels and a place for him to stay. Eliezer, realizing that Rebekah was from Abraham’s brother’s family, bowed down and thanked the Lord for guiding him to Abraham’s family.
Rebekah went home and told her mother and her household the entire incident at the well, meanwhile, Eliezer remained at the well.
Observation
When we pray according to God’s will, our prayers will be answered swiftly. Eliezer’s prayer was answered even before he had finished praying. The Lord, not only answered Eliezer’s prayer, but also confirmed it. When God answers your prayers, you will have a confirmation, a knowing that it is from God.
Introduction to Laban, Rebekah’s Brother
Genesis 24 Verses 29-32
In Genesis 24:29-32, Laban, Rebekah’s brother, on seeing all the jewels Rebekah was wearing and on hearing her narration of the incident at the well, ran out to the well to meet Eliezer and invited him and his camels to lodge. He fed the camels and gave water to wash the camels and the feet of Eleizer’s men.
Eliezer Explains His Purpose
Genesis 24 Verses 33-49
In Genesis 24:33-49, Eliezer refuses to eat until he explains his purpose to Laban. Eliezer tells Rebekah’s household about God’s blessings upon Abraham and how Sarah gave birth to Isaac in her old age. He explains his oath to find a bride for Isaac from Abraham’s family and not from Canaan. Eliezer describes how his prayer was answered when Rebekah appeared at the well and fulfilled his request unknowingly. This confirmed that Rebekah was chosen by God to be Isaac’s wife and God fulfilled Abraham’s desire to find for Isaac a bride from his family.
After narrating the entire incident, Eliezer asked Rebekah’s family for their answer.
Rebekah Goes To Canaan With Eliezer and His Group
Genesis 24 Verses 50-61
Rebekah’s father and brother replied that they couldn’t determine if the situation was good or bad. They recognized that the Lord had orchestrated it and permitted Eliezer to take Rebekah to Canaan. Eliezer presented silver, gold jewelry, and clothing for Rebekah, and gave valuable gifts to Laban and Rebekah’s mother. Later, they all dined together. The next morning, when Eliezer was ready to leave, Rebekah’s mother and Laban requested that Rebekah would stay with them for ten more days. Eliezer insisted not to delay what the Lord had ordained. Thus, they called Rebekah and asked her willingness to go, and she agreed. They blessed her to become the mother of tens of thousands, and she departed with her nurse Deborah and her maidservants to Canaan.
Observation
Often, when you are in God’s will and when God orchestrates something in your life, family members (who are in not in God’s presence) will try to oppose or tarry what God is doing in your life. On a personal note, this has happened to me many times. When God moves and does things in His timing, it is wise to not delay and move in accordance with Him. Missed timing = missed opportunities. Eliezer was about his master’s business and did not tarry. Both Eliezer and Rebekah did well and were obedient to the Lord and did not listen to Rebekah’s family.
Isaac Marries Rebekah
Genesis 24 Verses 62-67
In Genesis 24:62-67, Isaac returns from Beer-Lahoi Roi, where Hagar met the Angel of the Lord in Genesis 16. He takes up residence in Negeb, a large desert in southern Israel with Beersheba as its capital. Isaac, who has been instructed in the ways of the Lord, goes out into the open country to pray and meditate. While doing so, he notices a group of camels approaching. Camels are a symbol of wealth and prosperity as they carry jewels and riches. Rebekah, curious about the approaching man, learns through Eliezer that it is her future husband, Isaac. Following the customs of her time, she covers herself with a veil, and dismounts from her camel to meet Isaac.
Eliezer informed Isaac about everything that had taken place and how the Lord had chosen Rebekah as his bride. Isaac then brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent and took her as his wife and loved her. Through Rebekah, Isaac was comforted about Sarah’s death.
POINTS TO PONDER
There are a few points to ponder from this bible study
Firstly, we see a parallel drawn between Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, and the Holy Spirit. Eliezer always spoke about his master, Abraham, and gave thanks to the Lord, just as the Holy Spirit always glorifies God and points to God whenever He speaks to us and instructs us.
Secondly, Eliezer’s example serves as an example for us, as servants of the living God. We should live our lives in a similar manner, always praying, seeking to do God’s will, and being obedient to His instructions.
Thirdly, like Eliezer, we must constantly glorify and give thanks to God. We must be about the Father’s business, just as Eliezer went about his master Abraham’s business.
Lastly, Eliezer’s refusal to eat before explaining his purpose highlights the importance of seeking God’s will and purpose for us. We should value His word and purpose more than food itself.
These points serve as a reminder of how we should live as servants of God, always seeking His will, glorifying Him, and being obedient to His instructions.
Conclusion
This concludes the bible study lesson on Genesis 24. I hope you learnt something from this free bible study and found it helpful in your Bible study journey. Feel free to share it and subscribe for more lessons in the future. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Until Next Time!