Chapter Summary

Bride of Isaac secured by Abraham's servant.

Discussion Questions for Genesis, Chapter 24

1. What cultural practices can we learn from Abraham's intentionality in finding Isaac a wife? What kind of marital wisdom can we find in Abraham's insistence the particular character of Isaac's future wife? What role should parents/families have in children's marriages and future marriages? How does this impact your understanding of how your family fits into your marriage or future marriage?
2. Why did Abraham not want Isaac to "go back there" (HCSB) to the land of Canaan? Why are our cultural surroundings important in our marriage and families? In what ways does Abraham's insistence teach you about how to live amongst a pagan culture?
3. What is the significance of Rebekah appearing even "before [Eliezer] had finished speaking"? What does this chapter teach you about God's total sovereignty in human activity? What are some examples of how you have seen God move powerfully in a situation, entirely on His own volition?
4. What are some examples of Eliezer's prayer being answered specifically? Why do you think it's important that very specific prayer requests are answered? In what ways have you seen God answer specific prayer requests in your life? What does this teach you about God's personal connection in your life?
5. How does Rebekah's character and response demonstrate her suitability to be Isaac's wife? Why is character so important to look for in a spouse? How does this interaction set Abraham's family, and Rebekah, apart from the pagan culture of the Canaanites? How does your personal character development demonstrate God's work in your life to the lost world around you?
6. What can we learn about Laban's hospitality towards Abraham's servant? In what ways does this compare and contrast with your culture's level of hospitality towards others, especially foreigners? How can you implement Biblical hospitality in your own life and household?
7. Is there anything about the way Rebekah is "courted" that seems odd to you? How do you think Rebekah would have felt about being brought to a new land for a husband she had never met? What are some ways that God has led you to a decision or a place, without knowing any details? How did you respond, and what did it teach you about God's trustworthiness?
8. What can you learn about Rebekah's immediate obedience to "go" in verse 61? What can you learn from her about responding to God's leading in your own life? In what ways does obedience entail "sacrifice" and giving up the familiar or the comfortable?
9. In what ways is prayer a central theme in this chapter? How are different prayers answered throughout the chapter? How does this impact your understanding of prayer? In what ways does it motivate you to pray more and more faithfully?
10. In what ways does "trust" play a major role in this chapter? What do you learn about trusting God from the individual characters in this chapter? How do you demonstrate trust in God on a daily basis?

Key Words/Phrase

Wife, v. 4.

Characters

Abraham, servant, Bethuel, Laban, Sarah, Isaac.

Strong Verse(s)

27, 40.