Genesis 24

“The servant said to him, ‘Suppose the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land? Should I have your son go back to the land he came from?’  Abraham answered him, ‘Make sure that you don’t take my son back there. The Lord, the God of Heaven, who took me from my father’s house and my native land, who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘I will give this land to your offspring’- He will send His angel before you and you can take a wife for my son from there.’” Genesis 24:5-7 (HCSB)

Some scholars suggest the story of finding Isaac’s wife is a multi-faceted metaphor. In one sense, it is an historical account. It also presents an image of God’s Spirit searching out the bride of Messiah. (the Church) From another angle, it is practical advice for anyone desperately seeking a marriage partner.

Abraham knew God’s promise fully rested in Isaac’s offspring. (Sarah was dead, and the promise was through her womb)  He sent his servant Eliezer to find a wife for the unmarried Isaac. Eliezer had strict orders to 1) Trust in the Lord’s leading and 2) Never take Isaac back to the land of Abraham’s forefathers.  

In Hebrew, “Eliezer” means: “God was my help.” In this way, Eliezer is considered symbolic of God’s Spirit, whom Jesus promised as a helper and comforter for His bride, the Church.

Similarly, God’s Spirit searches the earth for those willing to accept God’s invitation of spiritual “marriage” to Jesus. The resurrected and glorified Messiah awaits the day when His bride (the Church) will be raptured and united with Him.  

I have heard people say that God does not care who you marry as long as you both love the Lord. I disagree. Not only is that just about the most unromantic thing I’ve ever heard, but it is bad theology. The Bible recounts several episodes where God prepared specific people to be wed to each other. God prepared Eve for Adam and brought her to him. And in today’s chapter, He is directing Eliezer specifically to Rebecca.  

Furthermore, Jesus (the bridegroom) personally died for your sin. That means specific combinations of husbands & wives are woven throughout time just to make YOU, for whom Jesus died personally. Whenever you marry, you will probably have children, whom Jesus also died for personally. Of course, it matters who you marry! God is very concerned with whom you choose for a mate.  

Whatever you do, don’t go back to Worldly relationships. Trust God! Wait on His Spirit to bring you the one God has chosen. But what happens if you feel you have chosen wrongly? Trust God! He can redeem any situation for His glory: Romans 8:28.