[Editor’s Mention: Commentaries towards Publication away from Moses and Genesis Sections step 1 – ten is generally found on the ScripturePlus Software out of Publication away from Mormon Main and on brand new Bible Main site here.]

Genesis twenty four. A partner to possess Isaac

Whether or not scholars assign Genesis twenty-two, 23, and you can twenty-four to 3 different offer, many of these sections show comparable themes relating to the continuity out of covenant posterity. In chapters twenty-two and 23, Abraham experienced Isaac’s near demise and you may Sarah’s genuine dying, whilst in section twenty-four he had been in hopes one to the new generations do create Isaac. “Provided Isaac is actually single, the divine guarantee away from posterity stays unfulfilled.” To demonstrate you that it, section 24 recounts the marriage off Isaac.

You to definitely obvious cause of the length is the fact that the chapter brings delicate suggestions of the self-centered and you may conniving characteristics away from Rebekah’s sister Laban, whose tough reputation are far more explicitly revealed owing to his later negotiations having Jacob’s marriages to help you his girl, Leah and Rachel (Genesis 30–31).

But around certainly need to be a more very important intent behind the tale than just forewarning an individual on Laban. BYU teacher Dennis J. Packard suggested this 1 of the biggest things to research to possess about chapter “is when good steward acts.”

The brand new King James Types of Genesis 15:dos informs us one Eliezer out-of Damascus are new “steward out of [Abraham’s] domestic.” Yet not, during the Genesis twenty four title of the steward who serves into the Abraham’s part to locate a spouse to own Isaac, most likely Eliezar, “is never known by-name. As to why? Perhaps they are allowed to be appreciated a lot less a specific personal, but due to the fact a steward, or even more, because an illustration for everyone stewards.”

The new Hebrew statement included in Genesis 15:dos interpreted as “steward,” ben meshek beiti, is exclusive when you look at the scripture, very its perfect definition try undecided. But not, very ancient and modern students have chosen to take it to help you imply that Eliezer was in a leading position out of faith having everything that Abraham possessed. And you may, observing the fresh perspective for the terminology inside verse dos, particular has recommended you to “Abraham had implemented Eliezer [given that their heir], into the presumption, naturally, he will have no college students out of their own.” If true, this will make Eliezer’s possibilities while the one in control so you can favor a wife to own Isaac twice as poignant. Contained in this knowledge, the latest profitable betrothal away from Isaac carry out ensure that Isaac’s seed perform inherit just what Eliezer’s students could have handed down had Isaac stayed unmarried.

The section highlights the fresh really serious character of your own oath one Abraham made with his steward so that the success of their trip discover a girlfriend getting Isaac. On the transactions having Rebekah’s nearest and dearest, the latest steward illustrated Abraham himself really genuine experience. The fresh new guarantees God-made in order to Abraham on the his vegetables were actually trusted to your give of Abraham’s steward.

The seriousness of the oath one to Abraham created using their steward is a great instance of the type away from covenants from the old community. Latter-time Saints can put on the fresh old comprehension of covenants straight to this new covenants they generate that have Goodness. However,, Bible pupil Scott Hahn correctly sees one to to carry out thus,

Old-testament CommentaryGenesis 24: A spouse to have Isaac

we need to circulate beyond particular progressive assumptions and you will retrieve the brand new sense of covenant whilst is actually lived in biblical cultures-and not only about Hebrew and you can Christian spiritual cultures, and regarding the Gentile and you will pagan societies of your ancient globe. To have covenant try the foundation of these societies. It provided individual individuals its sense of kinship, its sense of dating, their sense of belonging-to a family, a tribe, and you can a nation. The covenant oath was the foundation regarding members of the family, federal, and spiritual lives.