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Isaac’s Marriage: The Happiest in the Bible
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try in his family. Separated from his father and embittered by the
strife and contention of a home that lacked the love and fear of God,
Ishmael was driven to choose the wild, plundering life of a desert
chief, “his hand ... against every man, and every man’s hand against
him” (
Genesis 16:12
). In later life he repented and returned to his
father’s God, but the stamp of character given to his descendents
remained. The powerful nation that came from him were a turbulent,
heathen people.
The wife of Lot was a selfish, irreligious woman, and she worked
to separate her husband from Abraham. If he could have had his
way, Lot would not have stayed in Sodom. The influence of his
wife and the associations of that wicked city would have led him to
apostatize from God if it had not been for the faithful instruction he
had received in his youth from Abraham.
It is dangerous for one who respects God to connect himself with
one who does not respect Him. “Can two walk together, unless they
are agreed?” (
Amos 3:3
). The happiness and prosperity of marriage
depends on the unity of the parties; but there is a radical difference
of tastes, inclinations, and purposes between the believer and the
unbeliever. However pure and correct one’s principles, the influence
of an unbelieving companion will tend to lead away from God.
Those who have entered marriage while unconverted and are
later converted are under stronger obligation to be faithful to their
companions, no matter how they may differ in religious faith. Yet the
claims of God should be honored above every earthly relationship,
even if this brings trials and persecution. The spirit of love and
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faithfulness may win the unbelieving one, but marriage with the
ungodly is forbidden in the Bible. “Do not be unequally yoked
together with unbelievers” (
2 Corinthians 6:14, 17, 18
).
Before One Marries
Isaac was the heir of the promises through which the world was
to be blessed; yet when he was forty years old he let his father
choose a wife for him. And the result of that marriage is a tender
and beautiful picture of happiness at home: “Isaac brought her into
his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his