Genesis
Lesson 24Genesis Chapters 24 and 25
In this lesson, we examine Abraham’s role as matchmaker, as well as observe the faithfulness of both Isaac and Rebekah in following God’s will for their lives. As Abraham’s life comes to a close, the Bible tells us that "the LORD had blessed him in every way". What a testimony this is for Abraham and his walk with God!
After Isaac and Rebekah’s marriage, the narrative will move to the birth of their twin sons and the various relationships that exist in the new family. As we observe the different skills, qualities, and behaviors that these twins exhibit, perhaps we will recognize dynamics similar to those that exist in our own families, or in families we know.
Our study continues then, as we watch God continue His plan of redemption through the seed of Abraham and his offspring: through Isaac, then Jacob, and finally Joseph.
Read Genesis Chapters 24 and 25 and consider the following:
- As Abraham grew old, where was he living. and how had it affected his walk with God? (see Gen. 24:1-4)
- Clearly Abraham did not want Isaac to be influenced by a foreign (Canaanite) wife, so he gave his servant Eliezer specific instructions regarding where to go and who to seek out as a source for Isaac’s wife. He wanted his servant to go to Abraham’s own country; and once he got there, he was to seek out an appropriate source for the bride. Why was this important?
- When Abraham’s servant asked what to do if the woman would not come back with him, what was Abraham’s response, and what does it show us about Abraham’s relationship with God? (see Gen. 24:5-9)
- Was Abraham’s servant, the one that he sent to find a wife for Isaac, a follower of God as well, or just a faithful servant? (see Gen. 24:10-14)
- As the servant is finishing his prayer God, answers it. Following his encounter with Rebekah, what does the servant do next? (see Gen. 24:15-27)
- The servant’s response to God answering of his prayer is witnessed by Rebekah. What does she do, and how does her family react? What does this tell us about the importance of our own testimony when we are in a strange place or with people we do not know? (see Gen. 24:28-31)
- How is Rebekah related to Abraham? (see Gen. 24:46-48)
- How do Laban and Bethuel react to the servant’s story and his request that Rebekah travel back with him to marry Isaac? (see Gen. 24:49-54)
- The servant, his men, Rebekah, and her nurse return to the land where Abraham and Isaac are living. Then one evening, Rebekah sees Isaac in a field. Why was Isaac in the field on that particular evening? (see Gen. 24:55-65)
- Isaac marries Rebekah. How old was Isaac when he married Rebekah? (see Gen. 24:66-67, 25:19-20)
- Rebekah was barren when she married Isaac, and he prayed to the LORD for her. How long did he pray for her before God granted them children? (see Gen. 25:21 and 25:22-26)
- After Sarah’s death and a period of mourning by Abraham, did he remarry? Did he have any other offspring besides Ishmael and Isaac? (see Gen. 25:1-4)
- When Abraham died at the age of one hundred seventy-five, how did he structure his estate between Ishmael, Isaac and the children that he had with Keturah? (see Gen. 25:5-10)
- Following Abraham’s death, Isaac lives in Beer Lahoi Roi, between his family and that of Ishmael. What is their relationship like? (see Gen. 25:11-18)
In our next lesson, we pick up the narrative with the birth of Isaac’s twin boys. We continue to see that God has a perfect plan, and he is allowing us to watch it unfold from one generation to the next. As Abraham passes from the scene, Isaac and his descendants begin to take their place in the line of Abraham’s seed.
Thanks for studying with us! Have a great week.
In Christ,
Wes
[2010]