ORIGINS: The Book of Genesis

No. 43 | COVENANT—Abraham, pt. 14

By Danny Capon, January 28, 2024

The Beginning and Meaning of Everything that Matters

Outline: Genesis 24:1-67 - Abraham grows old and seeks a wife for Isaac

  • vs. 1-9 Abraham commissions his servant to find a wife for Isaac
  • vs. 10-27 His servant strategizes to find Rebekah as Isaac’s wife
  • vs. 28-61 His servant convinces her family to give Rebekah as Isaac’s wife
  • vs. 62-67 Isaac and Rebekah marry and take Abraham and Sarah’s place

What's going on in this chapter?

Abraham prepares to transition to the next generation—by securing a wife for Isaac from his kinsmen

  1. Genesis 24:1-9 Abraham commissions his servant to find a wife for Isaac

Abraham determined to act, practically, based upon his faith in the promise of God; he committed his determined action on God prospering the way without obligating Him to a particular outcome.

  1. Genesis 24:10-27 His servant strategizes to find Rebekah as Isaac’s wife
  1. Genesis 24:28-61 His servant convinces her family to give Rebekah as Isaac’s wife
  1. Genesis 24:62-67

Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac in faith.

  • Faith acts in practical ways upon the promises of God.
  • Faith acts in practical ways to act inconsistent with God’s word.
  • Faith acts in practical ways in the providential guidance of God.
  • Faith acts in practical ways to obligate God to act a certain way.

We may err…

  • …by God’s word, but not acting by faith in keeping with it
  • …by (we presume) by faith, but not actually knowing God’s word
  • …by God’s guidance, but not actually moving in His way
  • …by (we presume) in His way, but not with any sort of guidance