GLEANINGS - GenesisSample

Lessons on marriage from Isaac and Rebekah

1. Marriage should be considered only when it is certain that marriage will achieve the purposes God has for our lives. Isaac’s need for a wife was obvious. God was going to make Abraham a “great nation,” and Isaac was known to be the son of promise. In order for Isaac to procreate he needed a wife. The same should be true of us. We need to know God’s purpose(s) in our lives. While it may be the norm for people to marry, sometimes being single is also part of God's plan. (1 Corinthians 7:8-24).

2. Wait for God’s time. Too many Christian men and women marry hastily, fearing that the time for marriage was quickly passing them by, eventually marrying unbelievers or uncommitted Christians because they concluded that anyone was better than no one. Remember, Isaac was forty years old when he married (cf. Genesis 11:14, 18, 22). Don’t marry hastily and don’t marry because of fear of being alone since that is a wrong motivation for marriage. It is well worth waiting for the mate of God’s choice. And as you wait, prepare yourself to be the ideal partner.

3. The more you have in common, the better. Genesis 24:1-9. The Bible is clear that we should not be unequally yoked with an unbeliever. This would also mean that both should be spiritually mature. Countless marriages have come to ruin because they overlooked this. Seek spiritual or Christ-like qualities in the person and work on those qualities yourself. Abraham’s servant did not evaluate Rebekah on the basis of her physical appearance. He was looking for a woman who manifested Christian character as reflected in her response to the request for water.

4. Prayer is absolutely essential. Genesis 24:12-14, 26-27, 52. The servant prayed three times in this account. Pray continually and specifically for God to show the way and to know with assurance that God is leading the way. Pray fervently that the Lord will lead you to the right person at the right time. Do not run ahead of God.

5. God will make it clear who the person is that He is leading you to. Genesis 24:12-21. Abraham’s servant asked God to show him in specific ways which girl He wanted for Isaac. God will show us too in specific ways. Don’t jump at the first signs. The servant had his first prayer answered precisely, yet he sought more information and waited for God to confirm things clearly. We should do the same.

6. The building of true love begins after the wedding. Genesis 24:61-67.Isaac had not seen Rebekah until she became his wife. Romance came last, not first, in this chapter. True love is not a feeling; it is always a choice. Romantic love is never the basis for marriage, but rather marriage is the basis for romantic love. If you are married, choose to love your spouse even when they are unlovable

APPLICATION QUESTION:

What character trait(s) is God calling you to get rid of so he can bring you a godly mate to compliment and help fulfill his or her calling? Why is obedience to God so important in a potential spouse?

QUOTE:

Marriage is over in an hour, and yet it takes a lifetime to be really married. E. Stanley Jones

PRAYER:

Lord, I thank You that marriage is Your idea. Hence, I pray that You will help me to follow Your guidelines for marriage in my life. Amen