Genesis Bible Study
Lesson 20: The Death and Burial of Sarah (Genesis 23)
The Marriage of Isaac (Genesis 24)
The chapters following the near-sacrifice of Isaac are the conclusion of the Story of Abraham and Sarah. Sarah dies and is buried in chapter 23, a bride is found for Isaac in chapter 24, and Abraham dies at the beginning of chapter 25.
(The Death of Sarah – Genesis 23:1-2) Following the story of the near-sacrifice of Isaac we immediately move to the story of Sarah’s death. Notice that we are not told that Sarah ever saw Isaac again after his experiences on Mount Moriah. Some commentators have speculated that Sarah died of grief when she saw Abraham take Isaac to the sacrifice site. Another thing that makes Sarah unique is that among all the women of the Bible she is the only one where we are told how old she was when she died.
Notice that Abraham mourned and wept for Sarah – he obviously loved his wife. How would you characterize their relationship? Can you identify places where they worked as partners? places where Abraham took the lead? places where Sarah took the lead?
Now is a good time to look back and review Sarah’s life. What are some of the memorable moments of her life? What would you say was her role in God’s plan? Where did she assert herself? What is your overall assessment of Sarah?
(Abraham Buys a Burial Plot – Genesis 23:3-16) What follows in these verses is a real estate deal. Abraham needed a place to bury Sarah so he approached people of the area in order to purchase land suitable for burial. Abraham was obviously a powerful and wealthy person because the men of the area were willing to meet with him. The exchange between Abraham and Ephron is typical haggling. Ephron probably did not want to sell the land and his offer to give Abraham the land was probably a negotiating tactic. The price he named was likely far in excess of the land’s true value. However, once he named a price and Abraham agreed to pay, Ephron was “stuck” he could not refuse to sell the land because he would lose face with the other men of the community. By accepting the price named (even though it was too high) Abraham was assured of receiving the land.
(The Burial of Sarah – Genesis 23:17-20) After acquiring land, Abraham buried Sarah in the cave. All three of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be buried in this same cave. Today, the site is revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims and has been a place of tension in modern times.
The most interesting thing about this passage is probably the fact that Abraham now “owns” a part of the Promised Land. Even though God had given it all to him and his descendants, Abraham was forced to buy this small plot of land as a burial ground. Why is it significant that Abraham has a “foothold” in the Promised Land?
(Finding a Wife For Isaac – Genesis 24:1-9) Following the death of Sarah, Abraham turned his attention to the next problem – find a suitable wife for Isaac. This is that last time that Abraham speaks in the narrative. The next time we encounter Abraham is Genesis 25 where we learn of his death.
The first thing to notice is that Abraham is too old to personally find a wife for Isaac; so he delegated the task to his oldest and most trusted servant. (In Genesis 15 Abraham says that his servant, Eliezer, will be his heir if he has no children. It is possible that Eliezer in the servant who was given the task of finding a wife for Isaac.) Why do you think Abraham sent his servant instead of Isaac?
The second thing to notice is that Abraham insisted that Isaac should not take a wife from the local population. Why do you think Abraham was so emphatic on this point?
Also, notice that Abraham did not want Isaac to leave the Promised Land. Why do you think Abraham placed this condition on Isaac? (Of the three patriarchs only Isaac remained in Canaan for his entire life.)
Finally, notice that Abraham (and his servant) trusted God to lead the servant to the woman who was to be Isaac’s wife. While God is mentioned many times in the verses that follow, God is never explicitly active. Where do you see God at work in these verses?
(Abraham’s Servant Find Rebekah – Genesis 24:10-21) As the servant approached “Aram-naharaimm, the city of Nahor,” he spoke to the Lord and proposed a “test” that would allow him to find the right wife for Isaac. What do you think of his test? What does this say about his faith and about God’s ability to work in human situations?
Rebekah appeared immediately after the servant had proposed the test. And, she fulfilled his conditions perfectly. What does this say about God and his response to our prayers?
(The Servant “Proposes” to Rebekah – Genesis 24:22-27) It is clear that we do not have the whole story because Abraham’s servant immediately gave Rebekah bridal gifts even before he had spoken to her family. He likely had to explain his mission before he offered her the gifts. These gifts would have served as a marriage proposal.
Notice that in verse 26 the man worshiped and thanked the Lord before continuing his mission. Why do you think he was so careful to thank the Lord? What does this say about his relationship with the Lord and his loyalty to Abraham?
(Rebekah’s Family’s Response – Genesis 24:28-54a) In this culture marriage was more than an affair of the heart – it was an important business transaction that cemented relationships between families. Also, women had little say in marriage; it was the men who negotiated the terms and conditions for marriage. In this case Rebekah’s brother, Laban, took the lead in the negotiations.
Laban’s first obligation was hospitality. He invited Abraham’s servant to come to his house and provided a place for him to stay and a place for his camels. Why was it important to provide for Abraham’s servant?
In verse 33, Abraham’s servant insisted on explaining his mission before eating with Rebekah’s family. Why was it so important for him to explain his mission? Beginning in verse 34 Abraham’s servant explained who he was, his mission, and how Rebekah had been selected by the Lord to be Isaac’s wife.
Notice how both Laban and Bethuel responded to his proposal. The were clearly familiar with the Lord and accepted the fact that God was working in this situation. They did not offer their own opinion but quickly offered Rebekah as Isaac’s wife. Why do you think they did not negotiate in this situation? Is it possible that they were they “afraid” of God?
Notice that Abraham’s servant again thanked God once Rebekah’s relatives had agreed to her becoming Isaac’s wife. He also gave gifts to Rebekah and her family; these gifts finalized their agreement and Rebekah “legally” became Isaac’s wife at this point even though they had not yet met.
(Rebekah’s Response – Genesis 24:53-61) After celebrating the marriage, Abraham’s servant wanted to return immediately but her family wanted to wait a few days. What reason did the servant give for wanting to leave immediately? Do you think he had any other reasons? One possibility is that Rebekah’s family hoped to receive more gifts if the man stayed longer? Why do you think they let Rebekah make the final decision?
Before sending Rebekah on her way, her family blessed her. Notice that part of their blessing echoes God’s final blessing to Abraham in Genesis 22:17-18.
(Isaac Takes Rebekah For His Wife – Genesis 24:62-67) In the concluding verses, Isaac meets Rebekah for the first time. The servant’s final act was to explain everything to Isaac and deliver Rebekah to him. How would you describe the meeting between Isaac and Rebekah? What do you think they were thinking as they approached each other for the first time? This is the first time where we are told that a man loved a woman.
What qualities did Rebekah posses that made her the right wife for Isaac?
Next Class
Lesson 21: The Death of Abraham
The Isaac Saga Begins
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