A Bride For Isaac

Illustration of need addressed:

Seeking the will of God

how can we know His will?

is God’s will for us unknowable?

what if we are wrong in what we think His will is?

why should we even seek God’s will at all?

Lots of options / to many options!

education

spouse

children

career

retirement

Transition to text ...

Abraham

old

son’s wife

future of the promise

Servant

obedience

masters pleasure

service

Isaac

future

wife

children

xxx

Illustration of need addressed.

loss

Connect illustration to present day hearers.

Transition = Show this need or similar issue was also the question behind the biblical text.

Clearly state the theme of the text/sermon.

Title & Text

A Bride For Isaac

Theme

God, in His faithfulness, appointed Rebekah as a wife for Isaac.

Pray

God our Father in Heaven we often feel like this life we live is a maze of options. Filled with opportunities as well as obstacles. Father we know and believe that You want what is best for us, Your Word is pregnant with proof of this truth. Your Word itself can often feel like a maze to us, at times it seems so difficult to make our way through it let alone to understand and apply it to our lives personally. God help us today as we look into Your Word, give us the Holy Spirit as our guide, show us how to apply this text personally. Use Your Spirit to give us direction as we seek Your Will for our lives. Make the path for us clear today we pray.

Amen!

Chapter Structure

The New American Commentary: Genesis 11:27–50:26 16. A Wife for Isaac (24:1–67)

vv. 1–9 Abraham commissions the servant

v. 1 Abraham blessed

vv. 2–9 The servant servant swears an oath

vv. 10–61 The servant obtains Rebekah

vv. 10–14 The servant’s prayer

vv. 15–27 Rebekah at the well

vv. 28–33 Laban provides for the servant

vv. 34–49 The servant reports answered prayer

vv. 50–58 Rebekah agrees to return

vv. 59–61 Laban blesses Rebekah

vv. 62–67 Isaac marries Rebekah

vv. 2-9 Abraham Commissions The Servant

vv. 10-61 The Servant Obtains Rebekah

vv. 10-27 Scene At The Well

vv. 28-49 Servant Recounts Story

vv. 50-61 The Blessing & Return

vv. 62-67 Isaac Marries Rebekah

Since I do not have the time, and you do not have the lazy-boy necessary to view the whole in all its most minute parts we will take it in larger chunks, I only ask that you be faithful in reading it more thoughtfully and thoroughly tonight.

Main Points

Seek God’s Will for your life because it is always best!

We can find God’s will when we look for it in His words and actions.

When we are seeking God’s will by faith we are free from any fear of failure.

While doing God’s will we will have a front row seat to His power and will be drawn into greater fellowship with Him.

As we walk in God’s will we will be constrained to share the joy we find in it with others.

First Chunk is vv. 1-9 = Abraham Commissions The Servant

Genesis 24:1–9 ESV

1 Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, 3 that I may make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, 4 but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” 5 The servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” 6 Abraham said to him, “See to it that you do not take my son back there. 7 The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. 8 But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.” 9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.

Seek God’s Will for your life because it is always best!

Old & blessed

health, wealth, and happiness!

promises of [offspring, land, future]

We can find God’s will when we look for it in His words and actions.

Gods provisions thus far [land, son, possessions, servants]

Canaanites cursed - wickedness of Sodom

When we are seeking God’s will by faith we are free from any fear of failure.

Sure of the promise

Angel before him

if not… Jehova Jireh

While doing God’s will we will have a front row seat to His power and will be drawn into greater fellowship with Him.

Life characterized by seeing God’s power.

God calls this man friend

vv. 7 = personal God

As we walk in God’s will we will be constrained to share the joy we find in it with others

This Servant knows Abrahams God also

Second Chunk is vv. 10-28 = Scene At The Well

Genesis 24:10–28 ESV

10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, taking all sorts of choice gifts from his master; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor. 11 And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time when women go out to draw water. 12 And he said, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.” 15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder. 16 The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. 17 Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.” 18 She said, “Drink, my lord.” And she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink. 19 When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” 20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels. 21 The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not. 22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels, 23 and said, “Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” 24 She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” 25 She added, “We have plenty of both straw and fodder, and room to spend the night.” 26 The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord 27 and said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the Lord has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen.” 28 Then the young woman ran and told her mother’s household about these things.

Genesis 24:10–27 ESV

10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, taking all sorts of choice gifts from his master; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor. 11 And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time when women go out to draw water. 12 And he said, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.” 15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder. 16 The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. 17 Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.” 18 She said, “Drink, my lord.” And she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink. 19 When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” 20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels. 21 The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not. 22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels, 23 and said, “Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” 24 She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” 25 She added, “We have plenty of both straw and fodder, and room to spend the night.” 26 The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord 27 and said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the Lord has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen.”

Seek God’s Will for your life because it is always best!

vv. 16 = This man sought God and got the jackpot

story about meeting Elisa

We can find God’s will when we look for it in His words and actions.

vv. 12-14 = Steadfast Love for Abraham - specific request on what to find

specific answer given vv.21

When we are seeking God’s will by faith we are free from any fear of failure.

vv. 12 & 15 - Success was granted before he had finished speaking

Jesus in Gethsemane - Gods success / mans success

While doing God’s will we will have a front row seat to His power and will be drawn into greater fellowship with Him.

vv.26-27

As we walk in God’s will we will be constrained to share the joy we find in it with others.

vv. 28

Third Chunk is vv. 29-49 = Servant Recounts Story

Genesis 24:29–49 ESV

29 Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban. Laban ran out toward the man, to the spring. 30 As soon as he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and heard the words of Rebekah his sister, “Thus the man spoke to me,” he went to the man. And behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 31 He said, “Come in, O blessed of the Lord. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.” 32 So the man came to the house and unharnessed the camels, and gave straw and fodder to the camels, and there was water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33 Then food was set before him to eat. But he said, “I will not eat until I have said what I have to say.” He said, “Speak on.” 34 So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35 The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, camels and donkeys. 36 And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old, and to him he has given all that he has. 37 My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell, 38 but you shall go to my father’s house and to my clan and take a wife for my son.’ 39 I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’ 40 But he said to me, ‘The Lord, before whom I have walked, will send his angel with you and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my clan and from my father’s house. 41 Then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my clan. And if they will not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’ 42 “I came today to the spring and said, ‘O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, if now you are prospering the way that I go, 43 behold, I am standing by the spring of water. Let the virgin who comes out to draw water, to whom I shall say, “Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,” 44 and who will say to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,” let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.’ 45 “Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ 46 She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels drink also. 47 Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms. 48 Then I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. 49 Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”

Genesis 24:28–49 ESV

28 Then the young woman ran and told her mother’s household about these things. 29 Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban. Laban ran out toward the man, to the spring. 30 As soon as he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and heard the words of Rebekah his sister, “Thus the man spoke to me,” he went to the man. And behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 31 He said, “Come in, O blessed of the Lord. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.” 32 So the man came to the house and unharnessed the camels, and gave straw and fodder to the camels, and there was water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33 Then food was set before him to eat. But he said, “I will not eat until I have said what I have to say.” He said, “Speak on.” 34 So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35 The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, camels and donkeys. 36 And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old, and to him he has given all that he has. 37 My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell, 38 but you shall go to my father’s house and to my clan and take a wife for my son.’ 39 I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’ 40 But he said to me, ‘The Lord, before whom I have walked, will send his angel with you and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my clan and from my father’s house. 41 Then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my clan. And if they will not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’ 42 “I came today to the spring and said, ‘O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, if now you are prospering the way that I go, 43 behold, I am standing by the spring of water. Let the virgin who comes out to draw water, to whom I shall say, “Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,” 44 and who will say to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,” let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.’ 45 “Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ 46 She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels drink also. 47 Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms. 48 Then I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. 49 Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”

Seek God’s Will for your life because it is always best!

He came seeking water for the camels but got something better

Treated with reverence and hospitality

the story he tells of Abraham and Isaac

We can find God’s will when we look for it in His words and actions.

Gen 24.

The servant recounts his commissioning by Abraham

The servant recounts his prayer to Jehova

the servant recounts the answer to his prayer in Rebekah

When we are seeking God’s will by faith we are free from any fear of failure.

vv. 41 With or without I am free from this oath.

vv. 48 The LORD led him on the right way

vv. 49 Let me know so I can go

when we walk in God’s will the burden is no longer our own to bear!!

While doing God’s will we will have a front row seat to His power and will be drawn into greater fellowship with Him.

Remember the Theme: God, in His faithfulness, appointed Rebekah as a wife for Isaac.

vv. 44, 14

vv. 48 = seeing the LORD answer prayer and knowing that we are walking with Him draws us to worship!

As we continue to do God’s will we will be constrained to share the joy we find in it with others.

vv. 33 He was to excited to eat!

Have you ever been so excited about something that you forgot to eat

Fourth Chunk is vv. 50-61 = The Blessing & Return

Genesis 24:50–61 ESV

50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing has come from the Lord; we cannot speak to you bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has spoken.” 52 When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before the Lord. 53 And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments. 54 And he and the men who were with him ate and drank, and they spent the night there. When they arose in the morning, he said, “Send me away to my master.” 55 Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.” 56 But he said to them, “Do not delay me, since the Lord has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.” 57 They said, “Let us call the young woman and ask her.” 58 And they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.” 59 So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become thousands of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him!” 61 Then Rebekah and her young women arose and rode on the camels and followed the man. Thus the servant took Rebekah and went his way.

Seek God’s Will for your life because it is always best!

marriage of

Seeking a spouse for mariage

Give away my daughter some day

vv. 53 = He f

We can find God’s will when we look for it in His words and actions.

vv. 50 = not really the response he wanted but good enough

even those who don’t necessarily agree with us cannot deny God’s will

When we are seeking God’s will by faith we are free from any fear of failure.

vv. 57 = The servant had no need to be nervous about rejection at this point.

vv. 58 = Rebekah did not have to fear the unknown of this relationship or land

While doing God’s will we will have a front row seat to His power and will be drawn into greater fellowship with Him.

vv. 60 = this woman will begin to see this fulfilled in her lifetime

“So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, ‘Two nations are in your womb’”

“Two nations are in your womb,

As we walk in God’s will we will be constrained to share the joy we find in it with others.

vv. 54 & 56 = he was eager to go home victorious in his quest.

Fifth & Final Chunk is vv. 62-67 = Isaac Marries Rebekah

Genesis 24:62–67 ESV

62 Now Isaac had returned from Beer-lahai-roi and was dwelling in the Negeb. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming. 64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel 65 and said to the servant, “Who is that man, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Seek God’s Will for your life because it is always best!

Title

Expose the structure of the text.

Isaac goes where he knows that the LORD hears and sees

Isaac goes to meditate on God and the things of God

it is while he is here that he receives his wife.

We can find God’s will when we look for it in His words and actions.

Isaac went to this well because of what he had heard and seen from his dad

When we are seeking God’s will by faith we are free from any fear of failure.

Lifted up their eyes

Cain & Able

While doing God’s will we will have a front row seat to His power and will be drawn into greater fellowship with Him.

vv. 65 = The bride adorned for her husband!

vv. 67 = The marriage consummation

As we walk in God’s will we will be constrained to share the joy we find in it with others.

Main points should support the theme.

Text

vv. 67 = He loved her and was comforted by her

points should follow textual sequence unless good reason to change.

use simple and clear transitions to give structure to movement.

Use verse references before quoting so that listeners can read along.

Use personal obser

Seek God’s Will for your life because it is always best!

We can find God’s will when we look for it in His words and actions.

When we are seeking God’s will by faith we are free from any fear of failure.

While doing God’s will we will have a front row seat to His power and will be drawn into greater fellowship with Him.

As we walk in God’s will we will be constrained to share the joy we find in it with others.

Yes pastor you’ve convinced me I need to seek and walk according to Gods will for my life and I want to do that, but what is His will for me individually?

how can we know His will?

is God’s will for us unknowable?

what if we are wrong in what we think His will is?

why should we even seek God’s will at all?

All Scripture points toward and is fulfilled by Christ right...

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This is God’s will for your life!

Go

Matt

Make Disciples

Baptizing

in the Father

in the Son

in the Spirit

Teaching

observe all commands

Why is this God’s will for our lives? How do we know this is God’s will for our lives?

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

What job you have?

What school you attend?

Who to take as a spouse?

How you spend your vacation time?

Be brief.

Theme

ISRAEL

Don’t introduce new material.

narrow the focus don’t expand it.

US

Clinch the goal.

PRAY

Give concrete applications.

Goal

Theme: God, in His faithfulness, appointed Rebekah as a wife for Isaac.

Trust that God, in His faithfulness will make the right choices clear to you!

Application

XXX

Genesis 9:25–27 ESV

25 he said, “Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.” 26 He also said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem; and let Canaan be his servant. 27 May God enlarge Japheth, and let him dwell in the tents of Shem, and let Canaan be his servant.”

Are you engaged in active discipleship?

What school to attend?

Who to

Get involved in active discipleship!

lead / join a small group

go out for coffee

read a book with someone

become a member of the church

serve somewhere

use your spiritual gifts!

Close

Goal

Application

Close

A Bride For Isaac

INTRO

THE SERMON BODY

TITLE & TEXT

CONCLUSION

THEME

TEXT EXPOSITION

GOAL

CLOSE