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Marriage of Isaac
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and her brother the evidence he had received from the Lord that
Rebekah should become the wife of his master’s son Isaac.
Abraham’s servant then said to them, “And now if ye will deal
kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that
I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.” The father and brother
answered, “The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak
unto thee bad or good. Behold, Rebekah is before thee; take her, and
go, and let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as the Lord hath spoken.
And it came to pass, that, when Abraham’s servant heard their words,
he worshiped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth.”
After all had been arranged, the consent of the father and brother
had been obtained, then Rebekah was consulted, whether she would
go with the servant of Abraham a great distance from her father’s
family, to become the wife of Isaac. She believed from the circum-
stances that had taken place that God’s hand had selected her to be
Isaac’s wife, “and she said, I will go.”
Marriage contracts were then generally made by the parents;
yet no compulsion was used to make them marry those they could
not love. But the children had confidence in the judgment of their
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parents, and followed their counsel, and bestowed their affections
upon those whom their God-fearing, experienced parents chose for
them. It was considered a crime to follow a course contrary to this.
An Example of Filial Obedience
Isaac had been trained in the fear of God to a life of obedi-
ence. And when he was forty years old he submitted to have the
God-fearing, experienced servant of his father choose for him. He
believed that God would direct in regard to his obtaining a wife.
Isaac’s case is left on record as an example for children to imitate
in aftergenerations, especially those who profess to fear God.
The course which Abraham pursued in the education of Isaac,
that caused him to love a life of noble obedience, is recorded for the
benefit of parents, and should lead them to command their house-
holds after them. They should instruct their children to yield to, and
respect, their authority. And they should feel that a responsibility
rests upon them to guide the affections of their children, that they