[Editor’s Notice: Commentaries towards the Publication off Moses and Genesis Sections 1 – ten is found on the ScripturePlus Application off Guide out-of Mormon Central as well as on the fresh Bible Main webpages here.]
Genesis twenty-four. A partner having Isaac
Regardless of if students designate Genesis twenty-two, 23, and twenty four to 3 additional provide, all of these sections share similar templates relating to the continuity of covenant posterity. Into the sections 22 and you can 23, Abraham encountered Isaac’s close death and you will Sarah’s actual dying, during section twenty-four he had been hoping you to definitely the new generations manage succeed Isaac. “Provided Isaac is actually single, the new divine vow out-of posterity stays unfulfilled.” To exhibit united states this, part 24 recounts the wedding away from Isaac.
That being said, the whole out of section twenty-four appears outsized once we believe how few passages it might have taken to express simply you to Isaac is betrothed and you will hitched to help you a great divinely chosen relative, this new grandd’s sis Nahor. We wish to ask our selves as to the reasons the important points from the story features become preserved having for example worry.
You to definitely visible cause of the distance is that the section provides refined tips of self-centered and you can conniving characteristics away from Rebekah’s aunt Laban, whoever hard character are certainly more explicitly revealed compliment of his after transactions with Jacob’s marriages to help you his girl, Leah and Rachel (Genesis 31–31).
But truth be told there certainly must be a far more very important intent behind the brand new story than forewarning your reader from the Laban. BYU teacher Dennis J. Packard ideal this package of the most important what to research to possess about chapter “is when a good steward acts.”
Brand new Queen James Particular Genesis 15:2 confides in us you to definitely Eliezer out-of Damascus was the brand new “steward away from [Abraham’s] family.” Although not, while in the Genesis twenty four title of your steward just who serves into the Abraham’s account finding a wife having Isaac, probably Eliezar, “is not known by name. As to why? Perhaps he could be supposed to be appreciated far less a particular personal, but while the an excellent steward, or even more, as a good example for everybody stewards.”
This new Hebrew statement utilized in Genesis fifteen:2 interpreted because “steward,” ben meshek beiti, is different into the scripture, very their direct definition is undecided. Although not, really ancient and modern scholars have chosen to take it in order to indicate that Eliezer was in a top condition regarding trust having precisely what Abraham possessed. And you may, observing the fresh framework of phrase when you look at the verse 2, some possess ideal that “Abraham had implemented Eliezer [as the their heir], towards the expectation, of course, which he will have no youngsters out of his personal.” In the event that genuine, this should made Eliezer’s options since that responsible so you can like a partner to own Isaac two times as poignant. In this skills, the effective betrothal out of Isaac would guarantee that Isaac’s vegetables carry out inherit just what Eliezer’s college students will have inherited had Isaac stayed solitary.
The new chapter shows the newest major character of your oath one Abraham fashioned with their steward to ensure the popularity of his trip to find a spouse to have Isaac. Regarding the negotiations which have Rebekah’s family members, the brand new steward portrayed Abraham themselves in an exceedingly real feel. Brand new pledges God made to Abraham in the his seeds had been literally entrusted on the give off Abraham’s steward.
The seriousness of the new oath one Abraham made with their steward is a good instance of the sort off covenants throughout the old community. Latter-go out New orleans saints can put on brand new ancient knowledge of covenants directly to this new covenants they make that have Jesus. But, Bible college student Scott Hahn accurately observes you to to carry out thus,
Old testament CommentaryGenesis twenty-four: A partner for Isaac
we must flow beyond specific progressive assumptions and you may recover the fresh sense of covenant because it https://datingmentor.org/nl/internationalcupid-overzicht/ are stayed in biblical cultures-and not simply in the Hebrew and you can Religious religious cultures, but also on Gentile and you can pagan communities of one’s old business. To own covenant are the foundation of these communities. They offered private individuals their feeling of kinship, their sense of dating, their feeling of that belong-to help you children, a tribe, and you can a nation. The covenant oath was the foundation away from relatives, national, and spiritual existence.