Day 8: Genesis 24 & 25

Genesis 24

This chapter is about finding Isaac a wife.

Abraham's wife, Sarah, had just died. He had mourned his wife and was probably knowing that he would die of old age soon too. Do you think that's what prompted him to find a wife for Isaac?

Nowadays, if your parents picked out your husband or your wife, you would probably be very upset! But in some cultures that is still normal to have your spouse chosen for you by your family.

In Abraham and Isaac's time, it was not uncommon to have a spouse chosen for you. That's why Abraham sent out his servant to go find a wife for Isaac. Also, Abraham trusted God to show the servant which woman would be the perfect wife for Isaac.

How would you feel about having a spouse picked out for you? Would you trust God to pick out a spouse for you, without you getting to meet him or her first?

Genesis 25

Two things jump out right away in this chapter for me.

First, Abraham died at a good, old age, just like God had said in Genesis 15. Another promise fulfilled!

Second, I noticed that Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham. Even though Sarah had sent Ishmael away, Isaac must have stayed in contact with him!

Later on in the chapter, we learn about Isaac's family tree. It turns out that Rebekah (Isaac's wife) also could not have children until God blessed her, just like Sarah!

Rebekah became pregnant with twins. God told her this:

Two nations are in your womb, 

and two peoples from within you will be separated;

one people will be stronger than the other,

and the older will serve the younger.

Remember this! It will be important when we read tomorrow's chapters.

Tomorrow's Reading: Genesis 27 & 32