From Genesis 22-24
Overview
Gen 22.1-19; Story; Sacrifice of Isaac
Gen 22.20-24; Story; Abraham's brother Nahor has
children
Gen 23.1-20; Story; Sarah dies and Abraham buys a
burying place from the Hittites
Gen 24.1-67; Abraham gets a wife for his son Isaac
Passage and comments
The second chapter of Genesis describes marriage as
a man leaving his father and mother and holding fast to his wife. This passage
is a classic example of a biblical marriage. Except here it is Rebekah who
leaves her family to be united with Isaac. The end of this short story reads;
[63] And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming. [64] And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel [65] and said to the servant, “Who is that man, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself. [66] And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. [67] Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. (Gen 24:63-67)
In God's sovereign direction and control he
provided for Isaac in his time of mourning. The providence of God at this time
again shows he cares for his people.
Story of Jesus
Also behind the scenes we know that through the
Abrahamic line a descendant will be born from Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and
Rebekah and then through the long line of Israel. We know him to be Jesus. This
marriage points forward to the marriage Jesus has with his church. The one body,
one flesh of earthly marriage is symbolic of the greater and more important
spiritual marriage.