Abraham Commissions His Servant to Go On a Long Journey
Genesis 24:1-9

Lesson 51

background notes

doctrinal points

1. In Genesis 24, Isaac is a picture (type) of Christ at the present time.

2. In Genesis 24, the unnamed servant is a picture (type) of the Holy Spirit at the present time.

 

practical applications
1. The Holy Spirit will not manipulate your will and force you to become a Christian if you do not want to.

2. The more biblical counseling you get before marriage, the better your marriage will be later.

 

questions
1. Explain the meaning of “type” as used in the Bible.

2. How is Isaac a type of Christ?

3. How is the unnamed servant a picture of the Holy Spirit?

4. Sometimes God forces people to become Christians. Right?

5. Should people seek biblical counseling before marriage? If so, why?

answers
1. Type is an Old Testament person, place, event or other item which illustrates a New Testament truth.

2. In Genesis 22, Isaac was “sacrificed” on Mount Moriah; Christ was sacrificed on Mount Calvary. In Hebrews 11:19, Isaac was raised up as from the dead; Christ was resurrected from the dead. In Genesis 24, Isaac waits for his bride; Christ is waiting for His bride, the church.

3. The fact that he has been with Abraham from the beginning and is unnamed here, enhances his portrayal of the Holy Spirit. Isaac remained at home with Abraham while the servant searched for the bride; Christ is at home in heaven with God, the Father while the Holy Spirit calls out His bride. The servant was carrying out Abraham’s plan to search out a bride for his son Isaac; the Holy Spirit is carrying out God’s plan to search out a bride for Christ. Further, the servant speaks not of himself, but of the father and the son; the Holy Spirit speaks not of Himself, but of the Father and the Son.

4. Wrong. The Holy Spirit will speak to someone, but He will neither manipulate nor force anyone to become a Christian. This choice is left to the individual.

5. Yes, the more biblical counseling before marriage, the better the marriage later. Marriages grounded in Christ are more apt to fulfill God’s plan for marriage. See Ephesians 5:22-29, for example.

 

discuss / consider
1. What is the significance of the vow Abraham requested from his servant? (Genesis 24:2-4)

2. Does the unnamed servant have a name? See Genesis 15:2.

3. Did you seek biblical counseling before marriage? Should you and would you seek biblical counseling?

 

consider
Have you seen evidence of the Holy Spirit working in your life? What is your response to Him?

memorize

• “Do not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites...” Genesis 24:3

• “To your descendants I give this land.” Genesis 24:7

• “He will send His angel before you.” Genesis 24:7