Sermon Video: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Abraham's Family Tree - Genesis 24:62-25:18

 

In a transitional section between the finding of Rebekah as Isaac's wife and the birth of their twin boys Esau and Jacob, Genesis pauses to tell us about the death of Abraham and his other sons, Ishmael (whom we already know) and six previously unnamed sons with Keturah.

A few insights emerge: The rift between Sarah and Hagar didn't continue with their sons,  Isaac and Ishmael, at least not when it came to burying their father together.  There is hope that family fractures aren't permanent. 

Secondly, God blessed each of Abraham's sons, but only Isaac was the Child of Promise, the heir of the covenant.  In this we see a reminder that Grace is God's gift to give according to his purpose.

Sermon Video: Finding a Wife for Isaac - The Faith of Rebekah, Genesis 24:28-61

 

After God's providential choice of Rebekah to be Isaac's future wife is revealed to Abraham's servant through his faithful prayer in the first half of chapter 24, the narrative shifts its focus to the potential bride herself and her brother Laban.  They now need to be convinced to also follow God's leading.

After hearing the whole tale from Abraham's servant, Laban steps aside by embracing God's choice of Rebekah.  But then something happens, a delay is requested, and the pivotal moment rests with Rebekah: Will she choose to go this day to a new land to marry a man she has only heard a report about, or not?

Rebekah chooses to live by faith, puts her trust in the LORD, and thus becomes a part of Abraham's larger covenantal story.

Sermon Video: Finding a Wife for Isaac - the Faith of Eliezer, Genesis 24:1-27

 

The unnamed servant of Genesis 24 (we will assume him to be the same servant as in Genesis 15, Eliezer, for simplicity's sake) plays a key role in the transition of the covenantal promises of God to Abraham to the next generation of Isaac.  It is Eliezer's faith that the LORD chooses to use to guide him to the selection of Rebekah as Isaac's wife.  He steps out in faith by praying for guidance, God delivers it.  

This serves as a powerful reminder to us that God's will is unfolding around us each day, we are called to participate in it by faith.

Sermon Video: God's Promises - The Birth of Isaac, Genesis 21:1-7

 

After decades of waiting, the promised son of Abraham and Sarah arrives. What does this miracle birth tells us about God's promises? About us as we wait for them to be fulfilled?