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Isaac’s Marriage: The Happiest in the Bible
This chapter is based on Genesis 24.
Abraham had become an old man, yet one thing remained for
him to do. God had appointed Isaac as the next keeper of the divine
law and the father of the chosen people, but he was still unmarried.
The Canaanites were idol worshipers, and God had forbidden
marriages between them and His people, knowing that such mar-
riages would lead to abandoning their faith. Isaac was gentle and
yielding. If he united with someone who did not fear God, he would
be in danger of sacrificing principle for the sake of harmony. To
Abraham, the choice of a wife for his son was extremely important,
and he was anxious to have Isaac marry someone who would not
lead him away from God.
In ancient times, marriage engagements were generally made by
the parents, and this was the custom among those who worshiped
God. None were required to marry those whom they could not love,
but the youth were guided by the judgment of their God-fearing
parents. It was a dishonor to parents, even a crime, to act contrary to
this.
Trusting his father, Isaac was satisfied to commit the mat-
ter to him, believing also that God Himself would direct in the
choice made. Abraham’s thoughts turned to his father’s relatives
in Mesopotamia. They were not free from idolatry, but they had a
knowledge of the true God. Isaac must not go to them, but it might
be that one could be found among them who would leave her home
and unite with him in maintaining the pure worship of the living
God.
Abraham committed the important matter to Eliezer, his “oldest
servant,” a man of experience and sound judgment who had served
him long and faithfully. He insisted that this servant make a solemn
oath that he would not take a wife for Isaac from the Canaanites but
would choose a maiden from the family of Nahor in Mesopotamia.
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