A BRIDE SOUGHT

Press, 9 June 1980, Page 17

A BRIDE SOUGHT

Abraham was now a very old man, 140 years, and God had blessed him in every way. It was Abraham's responsibility to make sure that Isaac his only son married within this father's family. Abraham was too old to make a journey to Mesopotamia comfortably. Besides, the usual custom of the day was to conduct marriage negotiations: through intermediaries. Abraham appointed a trusted servant to make the trip. "You shall go into my country and • my kindred, and take a'wife unto my son !saac.".The servant is bound by a solemn oath not to taka a wife from any other tribe.

Fear that his son might bo gradually lead away from the true God motivated Abraham to be so precise. Many see in this story a lovely illustration of the relationship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The .father's purpose is to seek a bride for His Son. As Isaac's bride was thought of before she herself knew it even so God "chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him" (Eph..l:4). The servant's task was to announce Abraham's purpose and to reveal Isaac to Rebekah;-so the Holy Spirit proclaims the resources of

the Father and the glory of the Son. "He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the father has are mine: therefore said Jesus, he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you." (John 16:14-15). As the servant’s message implied Rebekahto go with him, so the preaching of the Gospel draws people to Christ. Abraham's servant was a model for all who are called to do God’s work. He had been trained in the faith of Abraham's God and therefore exercised the same faith and looked for guidance as his master did. He was faithful to trust — intelligent and obedient — fully acquainted with God —

knew how to pray — wisa and courteous — worship-, per of God and thankful for answers to prayer — patient and believing — unselfish and diligent in business — impressive and winning — successful and true. Isaac, may have beejn praying for the success of the servant's mission when the camel train returned. The Bible says it was in a field at evening when Isaac met his bride. For the Christian our first sight of the Lord Jesus Christ will be in the air. "For the Lord himself shall descend — and the dead in

Christ shall rise first Then we which are alive and remain shall ba caught up - together with them in the. clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1. These. 4:16,17). From this story we learn that God is able and willing to direct in the decisions of His children today as He was In Isaac's day. We needto think of God as being active in our personal affairs, infinitely wise, powerful and loving. His ways of. leading us may vary, but in every decision we can count, on His guidance.