The life partner (Part 9)
If you have followed this teaching from the beginning, you understood that I try to show how marriage is designed according to the bible. I know that each of you has his own way to see things, but I think the best way to understand marriage is to return to the source.
God instituted marriage; I think we should see what the bible says about marriage. Some have responded by saying that God cannot choose a woman for a man, but the story of Isaac and Rebecca has clearly shown us that it is the Lord who has chosen Rebekah. If He did it for Isaac, He can do it for you if you trust Him in prayer because in the 8th part we saw that Abraham's servant prayed first and Rebekah appeared right after the prayer. If you have not found yet your Rebekah or your Isaac, it is prayer that will open the door.
In the 8th part, I finished by showing the importance of the family in marriage. God respects the family and works through the family because it is an institution that He himself has established. The girl's father's opinion should be considered even if he is not a believer. If he refuses to give you his daughter, do not fight but wait in prayer because IF it's the girl that God wants you to marry, her father will bow because nothing can withstand the power of prayer. It can hang, but it will eventually trigger. If you are a girl and your parents do not want your fiancé when you know it comes from God, do not be rebellious but enter in prayer and ask for His will to be done (1 John 5: 14-15) .
Back to the story. Although Abraham's servant had concluded that it is the girl that God had chosen for his master, he was well aware that God respects the family and therefore he had to go and ask permission of the family. In Genesis 24: 35-48, we read his speech to Rebekah's family where he tells all the facts. This is exactly what we do during the dowry ceremonies in Africa.
In verse 49, he was clear by saying, “Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn"(Genesis 24: 49). The message is very clear; all he wants is that the family of Rebecca says that she belongs to Isaac the son of Abraham. Their answer is found in verse 51: "Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed"(Genesis 24: 51)
After the agreement of the family, it's time to give the gift (the dowry) and everything you need to celebrate the event because the bible says that the servant brought out fold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother. Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night there. (Genesis 24: 53-54).
In the tenth part, you will see that even though God had said Yes and that the family had said Yes, Rebekah absolutely had to say Yes and her agreement was important for her family. I will also talk about alliance.
Chris Ndikumana
