Scripture to Read: Genesis 24:1-9
After Sarah's death, the focus shifts to Isaac. God made His covenant with Abraham, and Isaac was the son God had promised. For God to remain faithful to His covenant with Abraham and his descendants, his son Isaac must continue with offspring. In Genesis 24, Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac. God shows us how serious the decision was for Abraham in choosing Isaac's wife. Abraham chose the oldest servant of his household and made him "swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and God of the earth" in Genesis 24:3. Not only does Abraham have his servant swear by the Lord, but Abraham has him swear, in Genesis 24:3-4, "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." Abraham commanded his servant not to take a wife from the Canaanites because God made clear, in Genesis 9 and Deuteronomy 7:1-4, that they were a wicked people, lived as enemies of God, and served false gods. God never intended Genesis 24 to be a blueprint for choosing a spouse, but God shows how important it is to fear Him as our Lord. As Abraham commanded his servant not to find a wife from the Canaanites, we also need to make sure we pursue holiness in our relationships, not pursuing the garbage of this world but living for the one true God.
Challenge & Application
1. What does this passage teach us about the seriousness of God’s promise and His holiness?
2. How have your relationships either helped or hurt you in following the one true God?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!