Finding Isaac a wife to fulfill the promise

He who finds a wife finds a good thing (Proverbs 18:22).

Isaac  was 37 when Sarah died, and  Abraham tells his trusted servant to go “to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac” (Genesis 24:2, 4). Arranged marriages are common in some parts of the world even today. It is worth noting, that not every example in the Bible is something to follow. I mean Judas went out and hung himself (Matthew 27:5)! What I am saying is to not build a theology alone on examples of what happened in Scripture. Some used scripture to justify slavery in America! But it was his Christian convictions that caused William Wilberforce to spend his entire life fighting for the abolition of slavery in Britain.  In terms of arranged marriage, the Bible is silent on it, it neither condemns not condones it. And I know of arranged marriages that are very happy.   

Abraham was old and the trusted servant was the one who ruled over all that Abraham had. If in the meantime Abraham died,  it was probably up to the servant to find a wife for Isaac. Abraham makes him swear that he will not take a wife from among the Canaanites among whom he dwelt.  Abraham no doubt was wanting Isaac to marry into the godly line. Perhaps he was remembering Lot's wife (see 22 March). In any case Abraham,  thinking of the promise to his descendants (verse 7),  is bing cautious with choosing a wife for Isaac.  

As an application of  “not from the Canaanites,”  Paul tells New Testament believers that marriage for the believer should  be “only in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14; see also 23 March).  In our culture marriage is thought to be more and more redundant, and the Biblical standard of no sex outside marriage archaic (Galatians 5:19). But as I have said before when God says “no,” it is for our provision and protection.  Marriage and the divorce laws were there for the protection of the children, and the relaxing of both sexual values and those laws have produced a fatherlessness with all its attendant personal, emotional and societal dysfunction.   

The Biblical way is to leave father and mother physically,  emotionally and financially, then to covenant with the spouse and then,  and only then, to engage in the one flesh physical union (Genesis 2:24). An incomplete  leaving of parents too often results in in-laws becoming outlaws, that is causing trouble!. In the words of Jordon Peterson covenant is necessary because “You are trouble, and I'm trouble.” We might not want to admit that, but we don't know what we don't know! And I am convinced that marriage is God's primary tool to make us like Christ.  It is the  iron sharpening iron process rubbing the rough spots off each other in character polishing (Proverbs 27:17). Among the many valid reason for waiting for marriage to have sex, is that sex before marriage weakens the glue (the bonding) in our one flesh relationships.

Father, most of us have failed utterly in these things, but thank God there is forgiveness with You, so that You may be feared (Psalm. 130:4).  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. I know You tell us these things because You love us Lord,  and want the very best for us, but we find them  hard at times. Give us grace Lord to honour and obey You,  and we'll give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen