The Yale expositor., 1918-10-24

LESSON TEXT-Genesis "a.
GOLDEN TEXT-Let not mercy and
truth forsake thee:. :. SO shalt thou find
favor and good understanding in the
sight OF God and man.-Proverbs 1874
DEVOTIONAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
S.22-33; / Thessalonians 4:l2-18.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR
TEAcHERS-Genesis 25:l9-34; Proverbs
u:10-s1.
I. Abraham's SoIicitude for a Wife
for Issac (vv. 100.
He knew that Isaac's success in life
would much depend upon what kind OF
a wife he should have. Mans welfare
in this life and that to come largely
depends upon his wife. For Isaac TO
have an idolatrous CanaanitlSh wife
would be fatal to his posterity,, would
subvert the plan of God as expressed
in his covenant with Abraham. 1t
would have been perilous to Isaac him.
self. To have married a woman in
that land would have made him in a
sense an heir to the land through mar
riage, and would have tended to di-
vert his mind from the heirship
through the covenant promise.
1. The Servants Oath (vv. 2-4).
Abraham committed to his trusted
servant the matter Of securing a wife
for Isaac: therefore, he made him
swear that he would go to Abraham's
country and kindred to get wife for
him. He doubtless regarded his serv-
ant more competent to select wife
than Isaac was to select one for him
self.
2. The Extent Of the Servants Re-
sponsibiIity wv. 5, 81. Before the serv-
ant would take the oath he must have
clearly defined the extent of his re-
sponsibility. If the woman would re-
fuse the invitation, the servant would
be clear of responsibility. The minis
ter's obligation ends when he has
earnestly and intelligently made known
to sinners the will of God.
8. The Servants Helper ". 81.
Abraham assured him that God would
send his angel to make the mission
successful. The servant found this to
be true. God sends his Holy Spirit to
make the message of the minister sue
cessful.
II. The Servants Obedience wv.
10-49).
I. He Took Ten Camels ". 10Y.
These were TO carry presents TO the
bride, and to conduct her and her COM
panions back TO his master.
z. His Prayer for Guidance wv. 70
AZ. He asked that the Lord would
guide him to the woman whom he had
chosen for Isaac. Earnest prayer for
guidance should be made in the selec-
ton of a wife.
8. His Prayer Answered Wv. 1927.
Before he had done praying, the an
swer was realized to be In the process
Of fulfillment. The answer was ac-
cording to the request, even in the
matter of fulfillment. God does defin-
itely answer prayer.
q. The Servants Message wv. 3d.
49). The Lord had prospered the old
servants way. He now was face to
face with Rebecca. Supper was ready.
but the delivery of his message was
more important to him than eating
when he was hungry. He said, ST viii,
not eat till / have said my errand."
Good were it If all ministers were as
much interested in delivering the good
news In Christ. ~ His master was
rich ". 35). God the Heavenly Father
Is rich. The silver and gold and the
cattle upon n thousand hills are all his.
| (2) All his riches have been given TO
his son ". 36). All the riches of heav-
en-, God the Father has given TO Jesus
Christ, his son. (3) Opportunity was
given Rebecca to become the wife of
Isaac ". 49). He not only gave the
opportunity. but he urged her to ac-
cept the invitation.
III. Renecca's Relatives Begging
for Postpcnement of Action ". 55).
They did not object to her going
sometime, but they desired that she
postpone action for time. What folly
to remain and water sheep when she
had the opportunity TO become the
bride of rich mans son.
What folly for sinners to remain
servants In the world when they have
the privilege of becoming the bride OF
Christ.
V.-Rebeeca's Glorious Decision. "
55).
When the decision was referred II
Rebecca she said, "I will CO." Coco
Judgment would not allow her to re-
fuse nor delay.
". The Meeting Of Isaac and Re-
becca (vv. 64-67).
Isaac was waiting for the return OF
the servant with the woman who was
to be his wife. Isaac was Joined to