Sermon text
Genesis 24:1–9
Isaac and Rebekah
¹ Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. ² And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, ³ that I may make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and God of the earth, 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.” ⁵ The servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” ⁶ Abraham said to him, “See to it that you do not take my son back there. ⁷ The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. ⁸ But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.” ⁹ So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.
Understanding the text
Abraham had a front row seat to the sovereign covenant-keeping ways of God. He was called out of his homeland into the unknown, having only the promise of God to cling to. He had witnessed God’s power in granting him a son through Sarah, his once barren wife. He also saw how God had spared Isaac, the son of promise (Genesis 22:8), by providing a sacrificial lamb for their offering. But God had also promised Abraham a family more numerous than the stars in the sky (Genesis 15:1-6). How is God going to make good on His promise to give Abraham descendants?
In order for that promise to come to fruition, Isaac would need a wife. But who would be Isaac’s bride? Abraham had two primary concerns. First, she should not be a Canaanite, for the Canaanites were an idolatrous people. Abraham’s second concern was that Isaac not leave the land to go find a wife. To leave the land would be to abandon what God had promised. Finding a wife would require the conviction that God, again, would provide and not abandon His promise to Abraham and his family.
Additional scripture
- Proverb 31:10-31
- 1 Peter 3:1-7
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Applying the text
- What do Abraham’s concerns in this text teach us about the importance of marriage?
- The Bible clearly warns against marrying an unbelieving person or a person of another faith. What challenges might we experience if we neglect or ignore the Bible’s clear teaching on this matter?
- What desires might tempt or motivate a Christian to ignore the Bible’s instruction regarding being “equally yoked?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
Call to Worship
Psalm 35:1–3, 15-18
¹ Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me!
² Take hold of shield and buckler
and rise for my help!
³ Draw the spear and javelin
against my pursuers!
Say to my soul,
“I am your salvation!”
¹⁵ But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered;
they gathered together against me;
wretches whom I did not know
tore at me without ceasing;
¹⁶ like profane mockers at a feast,
they gnash at me with their teeth.
¹⁷ How long, O Lord, will you look on?
Rescue me from their destruction,
my precious life from the lions!
¹⁸ I will thank you in the great congregation;
in the mighty throng I will praise you.
Prayer of Confession
Most merciful God, whose Son Jesus Christ was tempted in every way, yet without sin, we confess before You our own sinfulness; we have hungered after that which does not satisfy; we have compromised with evil; we have doubted Your power to protect us. Forgive us for our lack of faith; have mercy on our weakness. Restore us in such trust and love that we may walk in Your ways and delight in doing Your will. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
February Memory Verse
John 1:12-13
¹² But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Resources for Parents
Every Sunday, the children's ministry team creates lessons that cover the scripture and concepts from a recent sermon. The teachers ask simple questions to help the kids learn to understand and apply what God says in the Bible.
We want to equip parents to talk to their kids about what they're learning. The following is the content that the children's classes taught this week. We encourage parents to use this resource at home to help you and your kids grow as you learn from God's word together.
Children's Lesson from Sunday, February 2
Scripture:
1 Peter 2:13-25
The Main Point:
Jesus teaches us how to treat people in charge of us.
Vocabulary Word for PreK and Elementary 1 Classes:
Submit - to respect and obey the people God has placed in charge of you.
Questions:
Q: Who has to obey the people God put in charge of them?
A: Everyone.
Q: Is it always easy to obey and submit?
A: No.
Q: Who helps us to obey and submit?
A: Jesus/The Holy Spirit.
Q: Who is our perfect example of submission or obedience?
A: Jesus.
New City Catechism Question #37
Question:
How does the Holy Spirit help us?
Answer:
The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, and he enables us to pray and to understand God's word.
(Note: All of our classes work through one question per month from the New City Catechism. You can download the New City Catechism app with all the questions and children's songs for free.)
