ABRAHAM’S EVENING YEARS
Text: Genesis 24
14 February 2012
(I) ABRAHAM’S EVENING YEARS
1. He was old, well-advanced in age (Genesis 24:1a)
2. He had been greatly blessed by God (Genesis 24:1b)
(II) A TRUSTED SERVANT
1. His oldest servant (Genesis 24:2a)
2. He was chief steward who ruled over all that Abraham possessed (Genesis 24:2)
3. Eliezer
Described as “heir of my house” (Genesis 15:2)
(III) A SOLEMN OATH
1. The servant is to make a solemn oath (Genesis 24:3a)
a) To swear by the name of God
b) The LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of earth
2. Isaac is not allowed to marry Canaanite lady (Genesis 24:3b)
3. He must go to Abraham’s country of origin and there select a wife for Isaac (Genesis 24:4)
a) Country specified
b) Family specified
(IV) VALID QUESTIONS
Eliezer raised two valid questions (Genesis 24:5)
1. What if the lady is not willing to come all the way to Canaan?
2. Should he bring Isaac out of Canaan to speak to his intended?
(V) A FIRM REPLY
1. Isaac must remain in the land of Canaan (Genesis 24:6)
2. Recalling God’s promises
a) He is the God of heaven (Genesis 24:7a)
b) He took Abraham out of his native country and brought him to Canaan (Genesis 24:7b)
c) He had given Abraham many promises concerning the Promised Land (Genesis 24:7c)
3. Assurance
a) He will send His angel before Eliezer (Genesis 24:7d)
b) He will provide a wife for Isaac (Genesis 24:7e)
4. Worst case scenario
a) The lady will not come to Canaan (Genesis 24:8a)
b) Eliezer will be released from his oath (Genesis 24:8b)
(VI) ACCEPTANCE OF THIS ASSIGNMENT
1. Eliezer took a solemn oath (Genesis 24:9)
2. He will attempt to fulfil all that Abraham required of him
(VII) APPLICATION FOR TODAY
1. Role of parents in helping children to decide a life partner
a) In the days of Abraham
b) In modern times
2. Guidelines for parents
a) Believing in God’s guidance
b) Exercising wisdom