Text: Genesis 24:1-14

Introduction

Huh! What an interesting topic? I know most Christians do not consider the will of God when choosing a marriage partner. This is obvious in the Bible too. There are many marriages in the Bible, however it recognizes only two marriages clearly ordained by God. The first one was Adam’s. The second one was Isaac’s. Let us see what can we learn from the marriage of Isaac, regarding God’s will in the area of choosing a partner.

1. Firstly Abraham honored God’s predefined principals on choosing a partner, Genesis 24:1-3

A. This is the FIRST principal of finding God’s will. One day a young man came to me and said ‘Pastor, I have fallen in love with a girl who isn’t a Christian. How shall I know if God wants me to marry her?’ I explained him, the word of God has already said his children should not to get married to heathens (2 Corinthians 6:14).

B. If you are a Christian single please remember it’s not God’s will that you get married to a heathen. Neither the Bible approves having a romantic relationship with an unbeliever, with the hope of converting him/her later. It’s not optional. It’s an order.

2. Eliaser prayed for God’s guidance, Genesis 24:12-14

A. When Sheryl my wife, was proposed to me, I did only one thing. Asking the Lord to confirm whether God wants me to marry her. Later I came to know that Sheryl has asked God for guidance in the same manner.

B. However remember this, When you pray never persuade God to agree with your own will. Doing so makes you deaf to his voice. When you force God to agree with you, your prayer sounds something like the following.

• I know he/she is the right partner for me
• Lord the only thing I need from you is your power
• Please use your power to make him/her marry me
• Lord I trust your power
• And I trust myself… I know who I want
• Always ask God to reveal his sovereign will. If God confirmed, double check to see whether it’s really from the him.
• Eliaser’s prayer was answered even before he finished. Rebecca Bethuel’s daughter comes into his site. The Bible describes her as a beautiful virgin, a girl with clean character and praiseworthy attitude.

3. Beauty was not Eliaser’s first priority, Genesis 24:14

This verse confirms Eliaser’s faithfulness to his master. Eliaser could present any beautiful woman to Jacob and walk away freely. Instead he put Rebecca’s attitude and character into test.

A. Young men and women must not get carried away by the outer appearance of a person. Beauty is important, but what does the book of Proverbs say about beautiful women without wisdom and character?

B. ‘Like a Gold ring in a Pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion’ Proverbs 11:22 (NIV)

B. If you want to get married look for the individual with following characteristics. Well there will be times where he/she will fall short of these. Learn to forgive each other and exercise patience.

C. Strong resistance towards adultery, modest dress code, an interest to serve God, concerned about giving at least the 1/10^th of income, forgiving and giving priority to the family.

D. Never ever rush your marriage. It involves a risk. The risk of making a mistake which you can never revise. Therefore think carefully.

4. Summery

A. Always honor God by choosing a godly believer to be your life partner. There are no options or excuses.

B. Pray for God’s guidance. But never ever force God to accept your own personal will. Be prepared to accept NO for an answer.

C. Do not get moved by his/her outer appearance. Beauty is important, but his/her characteristics decides how long your marriage will survive.