Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 10 April 2022 | Lesson 15 || Isaac Marries Rebecca
Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 10 April 2022
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Youth STS LESSON 15 | ISAAC MARRIES REBECCA
TEXT: Genesis 24:1-67
MEMORY VERSE: “And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death” (Genesis 24:67)
Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 10 April 2022 | Lesson 15 MESSAGE
In this chapter, Abraham demonstrated great concern in ensuring that his son, Isaac, had a godly marriage. He commissioned his eldest servant and gave him the responsibility of finding a good wife for Isaac. The faithful servant prayed to God before embarking on the trip. God in answer to his prayers led him to Rebekah, who through her gracious virtues endeared herself to the servant’s heart. Eventually, the marriage processes and procedures were finalised and a good wife was brought to Isaac.
Question 1: In this contemporary times, who should dictate the choice of marriage?
The Bible says: “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour from the LORD” (Proverbs 18:22). God instituted marriage and desires that His children depend on Him in the choice of whom to marry.
ABRAHAM’S PASSION FOR ISAAC’S MARRIAGE (Genesis 24:1-9; 2:18,22-24; Jeremiah 29:11-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
Abraham saw the need for Isaac to be settled in marriage and have a happy and godly home. As at this time, Isaac was now mature and ripe for marriage. It is important for youths to acknowledge the fact that marriage is not for boys and girls. “Therefore shall a man [not a boy] leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife…” (Genesis 2:24). Therefore, youths must be mature spiritually, physically, financially and emotionally before getting married.
Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 10 April 2022 | Lesson 15
Question 2: Highlight different areas in which maturity is required before going into marriage.
Abraham was greatly concerned about Isaac’s future. He took it upon himself to ensure that Isaac had a godly marriage. As a youth, you should appreciate the concern of your godly biological and spiritual parents. The Scripture says: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29: 11).
God desires that you get married, even more than you desire it, when you are ripe for it. After God created Adam, it was not Adam that agitated for marriage. It was God Himself who declared that “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18). Godly youths must desist from ungodly and desperate means of finding a life partner.
Ungodly methods such as dating and engaging in boyfriend-girlfriend’ relationship displease God and lead to an inevitable danger. “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).
Question 3: In what areas should Christian youths avoid unequal yoke with unbelievers?
Abraham called his eldest servant and specifically charged him to “…go unto my country and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac” (Genesis 24:4). He declared it in clear terms that, “thou shall not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites” (Genesis 24:3).
The Canaanites were known to be ungodly and idolaters. Abraham would therefore, not want his godly seed to mingle and be yoked together with idolaters. This is quite instructive. A child of God must not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).
In fact, it would be an unwise decision for a believer to be intimately related with unbelieving youths in evil association. Amos declares that “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3).
Abraham instructed his servant to swear to him by putting his hand under his thigh (verses 2,3,9). This was a means of obtaining the servant’s commitment to the task that Abraham gave him. New Testament believers are, however, commanded ‘’…swear not…”. Rather, “let your communication be, Yea, yea: Nay, nay…” (Matthew 5:34-37).
Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 10 April 2022 | Lesson 15
APPROPRIATE PROCESS FOR CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE (Genesis 24:10-14,21-60; Hebrews 13:4; Proverbs 19: 14)
Having committed himself to the task assigned to him by Abraham, the servant immediately swung into action. The first step he took was to pray to God for divine guidance (verse 12-14). The servant must have leant the importance of prayer from his master, Abraham.
Abraham’s servant called on the name of God for direction. He made specific requests to God to confirm His leading and answers to his prayers. Believing youth must realise at the point of making decision, they must pray to God for leading. God is the perfect matchmaker and He alone can find a suitable partner. During the Old Testament dispensation, believers utilised different means of hearing from God.
In the case of Gideon, he had to depend on the sign of the fleece (Judges 6:36-40). When the apostles were to select a replacement for Judas Iscariot, they cast lots (Acts 1:23-26). However, in the post-Pentecostal dispensation, we now have the Holy Spirit as our Guide. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (John 16:13).
Believers today can recognise God’s voice and perceive divine guidance in marriage or any other decision in life through the following: inner witness of the Spirit and peace of mind (Hebrews 10: 15); divine restraint by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6,7); divinely-ordered circumstances (1 Samuel 9: 16-20); revelation through dreams and visions (Acts 16:9, 10); divine impression of God’s word (Psalm 119: 105,130); strong and pure feeling of love for the man/ woman (Song of Solomon 8:6,7); spirit-led counsel by godly leaders (Proverbs 1 1 : 14).
Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 10 April 2022 | Lesson 15
Question 4a: Does God still speak/lead His children today in area of marriage?
4b: Mention ways through which God speaks to His children today.
God answered the prayer of Abraham’s servant through a divinely-arranged sequence of events. The servant met Rebekah at the well of water and her kind virtues were easily spotted out. She showed hospitality to the servant and his camels. Thereafter, in verse 22, proposal was made to Rebekah in accordance with their tradition. In a Bible-believing church as ours, it is important that laid down procedures are adhered to in order to avoid chaos and confusion.
After praying to know God’s will, a brother/ sister is not expected to just walk up to the sister, and vice versa, to make his/her proposal. He/she must exercise patience and must be ready to go through the laid down procedures. Thereafter, the intending couple would undergo a courtship period of between six to nine months. After the period of courtship, the marriage is then consummated after the required dowry and bride price have been paid. “And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the Lord” (verse 26). With the servant’s prayers obviously answered, he glorified God.
As a youth, you must cultivate the habit of praising God when your prayers are answered. God inhabits the praises of his people. In verse 27, the servant blessed God and could boldly confess that in the way, the LORD led me…”. As believing youths, we must be able to boldly say in all circumstance that we were led by God (Romans 8:14). After the servant’s proposal encounter with Rebekah, she ran home and narrated all what happened to her family members. Parents must be able to cultivate a relationship of openness with their children.
Children must also be open-minded to their parents. Rebekah’s parents gave their consent to the marriage proposal in submission to God’s will. Her consent was also sought and she affirmatively responded “…I will go” (verse 58). Her parents thereafter, blessed the union before sending Rebekah to her husband.
Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 10 April 2022 | Lesson 15
ACCEPTABLE PORTRAIT FOR CHRISTIAN YOUTHS (Genesis 24:15-20, 61-67; Proverbs 31:10-31; 18:22)
From today’s study, it is clear that the possession of a godly character is essential and not negotiable for intending couples. There is no shortcut to success other than preparation. Abraham’s servant had prayed to God and had requested some events which he prayed would happen as confirmation of God’s leading (verses 13 and 14).
In verse 15, Rebekah was right on time at her duty post. She was hardworking and obedient. If she had disobeyed her parents and had decided not to come on this day, she would have missed God’s will for her life. Also, she is described as “very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her” (verse 16). Despite her beauty, she was chaste and virtuous. This is a great challenge for today’s youths. Chastity is a virtue which we must cherish and hold on to dearly. Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 10 April 2022 | Lesson 15
Question 5: Mention and explain the virtues which a youth must develop and possess in preparation for a successful future marriage.
Some other virtues demonstrated by Rebekah which youths must emulate include hospitality, humility, diligence, etc. Rebekah joyfully let down her pitcher and gave drink to the servant and his camels upon request. This endeared him to the servant and he further established a relationship with her. Also, she was cheerful in her dealings with strangers. She delighted and was willing to go extra mile in assisting others.
Youths must be careful when dealing with strangers today. Also, it is not proper for a boy or girl to start running after the opposite gender under the guise of trying to help. All these virtues demonstrated by Rebekah eventually led her into God’s will. God expects youths to possess the gracious character of the virtuous woman (Proverbs 3 1:10-31).
These virtues are for a blissful marriage life. As soon as Rebekah saw Isaac her husband, she demonstrated great humility by alighting from the camel that brought her and covered herself with a veil (verses 64,65). Isaac eventually took Rebekah home and she became a source of comfort to him. Marriages contracted in God’s will and way eventually leads to marital bliss.
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