Topical Bible: Marriage: Parents Contract for Their Children: Abraham for Isaac

◄ Marriage: Parents Contract for Their Children: Abraham for Isaac ►

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In the biblical narrative, the institution of marriage is often depicted as a covenantal relationship, deeply rooted in family and community structures. One of the most illustrative examples of parental involvement in arranging marriages is found in the account of Abraham securing a wife for his son Isaac, as recorded in Genesis 24.

Context and Cultural Background

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, marriages were typically arranged by the parents of the bride and groom. This practice was not merely a social custom but was also seen as a means of preserving family lineage, property, and religious heritage. The patriarchal society placed significant responsibility on the father to ensure that his children married within the community of faith and shared values.

Abraham's Initiative

Abraham, the patriarch of the Israelite nation, exemplifies this parental responsibility. As he grew old and recognized the importance of securing a godly wife for his son Isaac, Abraham took deliberate steps to ensure that Isaac's marriage would align with God's covenantal promises. Genesis 24:1-4 states, "By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, 'Place your hand under my thigh, and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling, but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.'"

The Role of the Servant

Abraham's chief servant, traditionally identified as Eliezer, was entrusted with this critical task. The servant's journey to Abraham's homeland underscores the importance of marrying within the faith community. Abraham's instructions reflect a desire to maintain the purity of the covenantal line, avoiding intermarriage with the Canaanites, who were seen as outside the covenant community.

Divine Guidance and Providence

The narrative emphasizes divine guidance in the process of selecting a spouse. Abraham's servant prayed for God's direction, seeking a sign to identify the right woman for Isaac. Genesis 24:12-14 records the servant's prayer: "O LORD, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. Here I am, standing beside the spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. Now may it happen that the girl to whom I say, 'Please let down your jar that I may drink,' and who responds, 'Drink, and I will water your camels as well'—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. By this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master."

Rebekah's Selection

Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel, emerges as the answer to the servant's prayer. Her willingness to offer water to both the servant and his camels fulfills the sign he requested. The servant's response is one of worship and gratitude, acknowledging God's providence in leading him to the right woman (Genesis 24:26-27).

Family Consent and Blessing

The narrative also highlights the importance of family consent and blessing in the marriage arrangement. Rebekah's family, upon hearing the servant's account and recognizing the hand of God in the events, consent to the marriage. Genesis 24:50-51 states, "Laban and Bethuel answered, 'This is from the LORD; we have no choice in the matter. Rebekah is here before you. Take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the LORD has decreed.'"

Conclusion

The account of Abraham arranging a marriage for Isaac underscores the biblical principles of parental involvement, divine guidance, and covenantal faithfulness in the institution of marriage. This narrative serves as a model for understanding the sacred and communal aspects of marriage within the biblical tradition.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 24:1
And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Chapter xxv
... Genesis 24:62) before his marriage to Rebekah. ... as a personal name on a Babylonian
contract tablet of ... of partiality was involved on the part of both parents. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxv.htm

Of the Agreement of the Evangelists Matthew and Luke in the ...
... But now, that the parents may not blush, and that they may give their daughters
in honourable marriage, not to shame, [1763] the contract is read out. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon i of the agreement.htm

Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... and discussed their plans and their marriage contract; if they ... having besought God's
blessing on their marriage for so ... her back to her parents with presents ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/i ancestors of the blessed.htm

Christ the Believer's Husband
... Our first parents, Adam and Eve, even after ... in breaking the covenant, the marriage
contract that was ... in disposing of themselves or their children in marriage ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/christ the believers husband.htm

Ephesians v. 22-24
... lest we should on the other hand contract our love to ... my own apparel, bought with
what my parents settled upon me ... After marriage ye are no longer twain, but are ...
/.../homily xx ephesians v 22-24.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... did of his parents crave, That he in marriage might the ... and eating, on he went, And
to his parents did a ... foul a fact, And the displeasure of my God contract? ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... some sort of relationship, or by marriage, with his ... King Ammisatana repaired
Dur-Iskunsin." Contract dated "the ... have no evidence for denying their pretensions. ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... commanded to sanctify themselves in three days, and keep themselves from their wives ...
abide in the house of her father, and not to contract a second marriage. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... with two projecting wings, the court between their loop-holed walls being made to
contract gradually from ... Children of tender years had their heads shaved ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Examination of the Treatise
... considering the right, which depends on contract, let us ... to salvation, depends upon
Christ as their only foundation ... would not come" to the marriage, and were ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/examination of the treatise.htm