A Wife for Isaac: God's Guidance & Care
Genesis 24:1 - 25:11
How do you go about discovering God's will in a specific situation? When you think you understand it, do you simply wait or do you work toward its fulfillment? Although the Bible gives no formulas or blueprints, it does illustrate certain principles we can apply.
GROUP DISCUSSION. When you think of God's guidance, what causes you the greatest difficulty?
PERSONAL REFLECTION. Look back on your life to the various ways God has guided you. Take time to thank God for what comes to mind.
In this study Abraham continues to wind up his affairs by arranging for the sure succession of his line. Here we have the fascinating story of the way he went about securing the right wife for his son Isaac. Read Genesis 24:1-27.
1. What do you think are Abraham's main concerns when he gives instruction to his servant (24:1-9)?
2. When the servant arrives at his distination, he offers the first prayer for guidance recorded in the bible. What does he specifically ask of God (24:10-14)?
3. From 24:15-25 describe Rebekah in your own words.
4. What does the servant's prayer in 24:26-27 reveal about his own relationship with God?
5. Read Genesis 24:28-66. In 24:28-33 what are your impressions of Laban?
6. How does the servant's account in 24:34-49 reveal his excitement and awe at the Lord's guidance?
7. The servant did not ask for a vision or miraculous event but for guidance through clear signs in natural circumstances. When has God guided you this way?
8. How does Rebekah's family react to these unexpected events, and in what way is she involved in the decision-making (24:50-60)?
9. Describe the return of Rebekah with her servant and what her arrival must have meant to Isaac.
10. How can this account of God's providing a wife for Isaac be an example to us of God's guidance and loving care?
11. Read Genesis 25:1-11. What do we learn about Abraham's final years?
12. How would you sum up his life in one sentence?
13. What is the most important lesson you have learned from studying the life of Abraham?
Thank God for the example of Abraham's life, showing both failure and faith.
Now or Later
List all that you have learned from Abraham about his relationship with God and God's covenant with him.
How do you go about discovering God's will in a specific situation? When you think you understand it, do you simply wait or do you work toward its fulfillment? Although the Bible gives no formulas or blueprints, it does illustrate certain principles we can apply.
GROUP DISCUSSION. When you think of God's guidance, what causes you the greatest difficulty?
PERSONAL REFLECTION. Look back on your life to the various ways God has guided you. Take time to thank God for what comes to mind.
In this study Abraham continues to wind up his affairs by arranging for the sure succession of his line. Here we have the fascinating story of the way he went about securing the right wife for his son Isaac. Read Genesis 24:1-27.
1. What do you think are Abraham's main concerns when he gives instruction to his servant (24:1-9)?
2. When the servant arrives at his distination, he offers the first prayer for guidance recorded in the bible. What does he specifically ask of God (24:10-14)?
3. From 24:15-25 describe Rebekah in your own words.
4. What does the servant's prayer in 24:26-27 reveal about his own relationship with God?
5. Read Genesis 24:28-66. In 24:28-33 what are your impressions of Laban?
6. How does the servant's account in 24:34-49 reveal his excitement and awe at the Lord's guidance?
7. The servant did not ask for a vision or miraculous event but for guidance through clear signs in natural circumstances. When has God guided you this way?
8. How does Rebekah's family react to these unexpected events, and in what way is she involved in the decision-making (24:50-60)?
9. Describe the return of Rebekah with her servant and what her arrival must have meant to Isaac.
10. How can this account of God's providing a wife for Isaac be an example to us of God's guidance and loving care?
11. Read Genesis 25:1-11. What do we learn about Abraham's final years?
12. How would you sum up his life in one sentence?
13. What is the most important lesson you have learned from studying the life of Abraham?
Thank God for the example of Abraham's life, showing both failure and faith.
Now or Later
List all that you have learned from Abraham about his relationship with God and God's covenant with him.
posted by Christinewjc at
7:44 PM
2 Comments:
Genesis 24:1 - 25:11
How do you go about discovering God's will in a specific situation?
I rely on prayer and God's Word. The Holy Spirit would not lead me in a direction that is contrary to Scripture, so the combination of prayer and seeking His Word is the standard for seeking His Will.
When you think you understand it, do you simply wait or do you work toward its fulfillment?
I think that both may be required in specific circumstance. Working toward it's fulfillment is not wrong unless doing so goes against God's Word. Waiting is not wrong unless I know in my spirit that the Holy Spirit is nudgeing me into action.
Although the Bible gives no formulas or blueprints, it does illustrate certain principles we can apply.
GROUP DISCUSSION. When you think of God's guidance, what causes you the greatest difficulty?
Waiting on the Lord is sometimes the greatest difficulty. There have been periods in my life when I wanted results NOW and I was not patient enough. But sometimes I know that I procrastinate when I should take action. Often, the Lord leads me in the correct direction and he uses people around me to influence me in the direction He has in mind for my walk with Him in this life.
PERSONAL REFLECTION. Look back on your life to the various ways God has guided you. Take time to thank God for what comes to mind.
In this study Abraham continues to wind up his affairs by arranging for the sure succession of his line. Here we have the fascinating story of the way he went about securing the right wife for his son Isaac. Read Genesis 24:1-27.
1. What do you think are Abraham's main concerns when he gives instruction to his servant (24:1-9)?
He wants Isaac to get a wife from their own people; not from the pagan Canaanites.
2. When the servant arrives at his distination, he offers the first prayer for guidance recorded in the bible. What does he specifically ask of God (24:10-14)?
He asks God's guidance in chosing the right girl to be Isaac's wife. In his prayer, he stated specifically what would be a sign to him that God has chosen a girl. Even before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder! God knows what we will ask even before we ask it!
3. From 24:15-25 describe Rebekah in your own words.
She is very beautiful. A virgin. And she was very generous towards the servant by offering him water.
4. What does the servant's prayer in 24:26-27 reveal about his own relationship with God?
He worshipped the Lord, offered him praise and recognized God's kindness and faithfulness.
5. Read Genesis 24:28-66. In 24:28-33 what are your impressions of Laban?
Laban recognized that the servant was blessed by the Lord. He prepared the house and a place for the camels. He exhibited great hospitality and prepared food to eat.
6. How does the servant's account in 24:34-49 reveal his excitement and awe at the Lord's guidance?
He revealed how the Lord had guided everyone from Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and himself up until this day when he had found Rebekah who would be Isaac's wife.
(to be continued)
7. The servant did not ask for a vision or miraculous event but for guidance through clear signs in natural circumstances. When has God guided you this way?
8. How does Rebekah's family react to these unexpected events, and in what way is she involved in the decision-making (24:50-60)?
9. Describe the return of Rebekah with her servant and what her arrival must have meant to Isaac.
10. How can this account of God's providing a wife for Isaac be an example to us of God's guidance and loving care?
11. Read Genesis 25:1-11. What do we learn about Abraham's final years?
12. How would you sum up his life in one sentence?
13. What is the most important lesson you have learned from studying the life of Abraham?
Thank God for the example of Abraham's life, showing both failure and faith.
Now or Later
List all that you have learned from Abraham about his relationship with God and God's covenant with him.
By
Christinewjc, at 9:41 PM
7. The servant did not ask for a vision or miraculous event but for guidance through clear signs in natural circumstances. When has God guided you this way?
I could write a book on this one...and I may end up doing just that. I would say that God guided me towards battling the homosexual agenda through people, circumstances, situations and even threats that have transpired over the last 5 years. Some examples of natural circumstances are:
1. The start of a GSA in my daughter's high school. My neighbor asked for my help to monitor the club.
2. Getting in contact with Brian Camenker of MA who has been fighting GLSEN and their indoctrination in public schools for many years now. Getting tapes of an infamous "Fistgate" conference at Tufts U. that promoted gay sex techniques to impressionable teens without their parents knowledge or consent.
3. Being encouraged to attend a "Speak-Out" conference at Palomar college where 65 pro-gay enthusiasts battled 5 conservatives on their views!
4. Meeting Dean Greer from an ex-gay ministry and hearing how Christian ex-gays are often targeted, labeled as bigots and mistreated and threatened by gay activists.
5. Discovering Stephen Bennett ministries online and then "meeting" him and his wife through the blogosphere; plus the start of Straight Talk Radio (I was a call-in commentor on one broadcast!).
6. Meeting Susan Smith (and ex-lesbian who works in Jerusalem for Bridges for Peace and the fact that we have been ministering to each other over the last several months.
7. The books I've read called "The Marketing of Evil" and "The Criminalization of Christianity" which prove how the deception and promotion of homosexuality is a tool being used to silence Christians, The Word of God, the Bible, and even attempt to go so far as to throw pastors in jail (through hate-crime legislation) for simply standing against homosexual behavior, quoting Bible verses and professing the ability to be born-again in Christ (which then enables the powerof Christ's Holy Spirit to help them leave such behavior and identity behind in the lives of homosexuals)...even from their pulpits in their churches!
8. How does Rebekah's family react to these unexpected events, and in what way is she involved in the decision-making (24:50-60)?
The family realized that this was a sign from the Lord for Rebekah to be Isaac's wife.
However, the family wanted to delay her departure and requested that she stay for 10 days or more. When Rebekah was asked, she willingly said she would go.
9. Describe the return of Rebekah with her servant and what her arrival must have meant to Isaac.
She asked the servant who was approaching them, and when she learned that it was her "husband to be," Isaac, she demonstrated her virtuous nature by covering herself.
Isaac was most likely very pleased that the servant found the woman that God wanted hims to marry!
10. How can this account of God's providing a wife for Isaac be an example to us of God's guidance and loving care?
Choosing the right person to marry is extremely important to God, us, and our future children. This lesson shows us that we are not to be "unequally yoked" with a non-believer in marriage. The servant traveled a great distance and Isaac needed to trust in the Lord to select the right spouse for him. So often people run ahead on emotions, sexual lust etc. and do not think about the totality of the marriage vows and commitments.
11. Read Genesis 25:1-11. What do we learn about Abraham's final years?
He remarried and his second wife bore him 7 children (sons?)
12. How would you sum up his life in one sentence?
He lived a long time, had many children, was faithful to God regarding Isaac and God's plan and role for him in life. Abraham's faith was accounted for righteousness!
13. What is the most important lesson you have learned from studying the life of Abraham?
Abraham's faith was accounted for righteousness!
No matter what he did or what transpired in his life, he obeyed God to the letter (most times) and thus he became the father of many nations just as God had promised. His family line through Isaac would result in the birth of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, our Savior and Lord!
Thank God for the example of Abraham's life, showing both failure and faith.
Now or Later
List all that you have learned from Abraham about his relationship with God and God's covenant with him.
By
Christinewjc, at 9:17 AM
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