Marriage in the Covenant

Rebekah at the well.

Choice 1: Genesis 24, 27:46, 28:1-2, 29:1-30. Marriage in the Covenant

Read Genesis 24:1-4 and describe in writing the concern Abraham had about his sons. Then read Deuteronomy 7:1-4; 1 Corinthians 11:11; 2 Corinthians 6:14; and the Points to Ponder section in the Institute Student Manual (pg. 90). What additional insights do you find that added to Abraham’s concern? What are the consequences of marrying outside the covenant? Why would these still be concerns today?

Abraham was concerned that he was going to die and that his eldest servant was going to find Isaac a wife that was of the Canaanites. Abraham wanted Isaac to marry one from his country and his kindred.

Abraham was justified in his concerns for his son, Isaac, to marry a woman of the Canaanites because in Deuteronomy it talks about how they will be destroyed and that they will make their son’s turn away from them so that they can serve other gods. In 1 Corinthians is talks about how the man and the woman are one, in God. In 2 Corinthians it talks about the importance of being unequally yoked with unbelievers and how they don’t belong together.

It’s important to marry within the covenant because that’s the entirety of the plan of salvation which is the whole purpose of this probationary state we’re in right now. When we are not married in the covenant how are we supposed to spend eternity with them? There are so many chances of things not working out due to difference in beliefs.

From Genesis 24:15-67, make a list of character traits Rebekah had that would be desirable in a wife or husband. Record the verse number where you found each attribute.

Virgin, vs. 16. Service oriented, vs. 18, 25. Submissive, vs. 58. Able, vs. 64. Conservative/proper, vs. 65.

What concern did Isaac and Rebekah have for Jacob in Genesis 27:46; 28:1-4?

The daughters of Heth were of a different people and kindred and so Rebekah was worried about Jacob marrying one of them.

Read Genesis 29:1-30. What was Jacob willing to do to marry Rachel? Write a paragraph discussing what you are willing to do to be worthy to marry within the covenant.

Jacob was willing to work for, from what I understand, about 21 years to be able to marry Rachel, the woman he loved.

I’m willing to sacrifice all to be worthy enough to marry within the covenant. Even before I was a member of the church I’ve always had pretty high standards and that has helped me in my conversion to the church. I’ve made it clear to myself what I want to accomplish (a covenant marriage) and how I can do that so I will continue along that path.