Genesis Part 038

“Three years have passed since the death of Sarah. Abraham is now 140 years old; Isaac is 40. Feeling his age, and now more sensible that his own time may be short, Abraham begins the process of acquiring a wife for his son. Arranged marriages have become outdated in most, though not all, modern cultures. But in Abraham’s day one of the duties of a father was to ensure that a proper mate was selected for his children, especially his sons” (UCG Bible Commentary). 

Later in the Old Testament, we see that God did not want His people marrying foreign men/women and He tells us why. Deuteronomy 7:3-4 says, 

“Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods...” 

As we saw at the beginning of Genesis with Adam and Eve, spouses have our hearts and can lead us away from obeying God. We see God is clearly concerned about this and gives plain instructions that Israel was not to marry foreigners, and more specifically, individuals with false religious beliefs. 

King Solomon serves as a strong example of this negative influence. In 1 Kings 11:1 it states, “But King Solomon loved many foreign women,” and then in verse 3 it says, “and his wives turned away his heart.” 

In the New Testament, we clearly see God’s intent for those He has called into the truth. In 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 it states,

 “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” In his first letter to Corinth, Paul tells widows that if their spouse dies that “she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:39). 

Abraham is shown to be very wise here as he seeks a wife for Isaac. 

The Jewish book, Seder Olam Rabba (A 2nd century CE book of biblical dates) records that Rebekah was 14 years old when she became Isaac’s wife. That seems very young to us, but women often married right at puberty as they reached childbearing years. 

The passage below is from the UCG Bible Commentary regarding Abraham seeking a wife for his son: 

“The selection of a wife for a son, especially the firstborn and heir to the position of head of the family, was a serious undertaking. The right woman had to be selected, ensuring the continued stability and prosperity of the family. In some cases, the father himself negotiated the purchase of a bride, but in other cases the services of an intermediary (called a Malach, angel or messenger, in Hebrew) were employed. Abraham is now old, so he entrusts the responsibility to the steward of his household, here identified as ‘the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had’ (verse 2). Most likely this is Eliezer, whom Abraham mentioned in Genesis 15:2-3 as his heir before he fathered children—although it is possible that Eliezer has died by this point. In any case, Abraham imposes a most solemn oath upon his servant, instructing him to return to Abraham’s country and kindred in the city of Nahor in northern Mesopotamia, and from them to select a wife. He is also strictly forbidden to take Isaac with him.” 

There are many parallels between the selection of Isaac’s wife and the selection of a wife for Jesus Christ, His wife meaning the Church (see Ephesians 5:22–33). Abraham can be seen as a type of the Father, being himself later called the father of the faithful (Romans 4:16). Isaac is a type of Christ, a son born according to promise, whose birth was announced beforehand, and whose conception was miraculous. The servant is a type of the role of the Holy Spirit. 

It should also be mentioned that God’s ministers (servants) play a role in bringing Christ’s bride to Christ. As the apostle Paul wrote to the Church: ‘For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ’ (2 Corinthians 11:2). Through His ministry God calls people to enter into a relationship with Christ, and through His ministry He also provides the gifts of help and instruction to those who respond.” 

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships, and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.