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Grounded-In-Biblical-Truth | |
Sovereign Grace Doctrines
Concerning 'THE GOSPEL' - JESUS CHRIST
Christ Portrayed in the Marriage of Isaac
GENESIS 24
GOOD NEWS FROM THE REDEEMER
DANIEL E. PARKS, PASTOR
AUGUST 21, 1999 - RADIO MESSAGE #282
The marriage of Abraham’s son Isaac is recorded in Genesis chapter 24. Various aspects of this marriage and the events leading directly to it beautifully portray the marriage of Christ and His bride, the church. (See the church thusly identified in Ephesians 5:22-32).
The desire of Abraham for a bride for his son Isaac portrays the desire of God the Father for a bride for His Son Jesus Christ.
1. Abraham’s desire was expressed when “[he] was old, well advanced in age” (v.1). The Father is called the “Ancient of Days” (Daniel 7:9,13,22).
2. Abraham commissioned his most trusted servant to obtain a bride for Isaac (v.2). The Father has commissioned His own Spirit, whom He trusts far more than men or angels, to obtain a bride for Christ (through her regeneration [John 3:3-8]).
3. Abraham expressed his desire in the form of a solemn oath (v.2f,9). The Father has expressed His desire in an eternal decree, saying, “Surely as I have thought, it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand” (Isaiah 14:24).
4. Abraham required the bride for Isaac be not of alien peoples, but of his own kindred (vv.3f). The Father will gather only His own people, the elect, into the bride for His Son, excluding therefrom those who persist in unbelief (Matthew 24:31).
The mission of Abraham’s servant in seeking a bride for Isaac portrays the mission of the Holy Spirit in seeking a bride for Christ.
1. Abraham’s servant went on his mission with “all his master’s goods ... in his hand” (v.10). The Holy Spirit possesses all the deity belonging to the Father (as indicated in Acts 5:3f).
2. Abraham’s servant departed Abraham’s home for the far-away land of Mesopotamia (v.10). The Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father” in heaven to the far-away Earth (John 15:26; 14:26) for sinners far estranged from Him (Romans 3:12a).
3. Abraham’s servant sought only “the one whom [God has] appointed” (v.14). The Holy Spirit seeks only those whom God has appointed to eternal life, His elect (2 Thessalonians 2:23f).
The woman found by Abraham’s servant to be Isaac’s wife manifested the character traits of the bride of Christ. (The church will manifest these traits not in their natural condition, but following regeneration.)
1. Rebekah was “very beautiful to behold” (v.16). The bride of Christ is expressly called “beautiful” (by application in Song of Solomon 6:4, Solomon representing Christ, and his bride representing the church), and possesses “the glory of God” (Revelation 21:11).
2. Rebekah was “a virgin” (v.16). The bride of Christ is a “chaste virgin” (2 Corinthians 11:2).
3. Rebekah acknowledged Abraham’s servant as “my lord” and hastened to serve him (vv.17-20). The bride of Christ acknowledges the Holy Spirit as “the Lord” and hastens to serve Him (cp. Acts 28:25-27 with Isaiah 9:8ff).
4. Rebekah provided for Abraham’s servant a lodging place (v.25). The bride of Christ provides for the Holy Spirit a dwelling: “the Spirit of God dwells in you” (1 Corinthians 3:16).
5. Rebekah was adorned by Abraham’s servant with “jewelry of gold, jewelry of silver, and clothing” (v.53). The bride of Christ is being “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2).
6. Rebekah replied in the affirmative when asked “Will you go with this man?” (v.58). The bride of Christ has deserted all earthly relations in order to come to Christ (Matthew 10:37f).
The marriage of Rebekah to Isaac portrays the marriage of the church to Christ. “Then Isaac ... took Rebekah and she became his wife” (v.67). So shall Christ at the last day take the church to be His wife (Revelation 21:1f,9ff).
Your servant for Jesus' sake.
Address all questions to pastor
Daniel E. Parks (2 Corinthians 4:5) e-mail RedeemerBC@aol.com
Pastor, Redeemer Baptist Church
2801 Cleveland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40206 / 502.899-9205
