Willing to go
Read Genesis 24:57-58
In response to Eliezer’s prayer, the Lord directed Abraham’s servant to a woman from Abraham's family clan — a woman of uncommon character who worshipped the one true Creator. And in addition to all that, she was pretty! All systems were a go, except ... Would Rebekah be willing to travel 500 miles away from everything familiar to marry a complete stranger?
Confirmation
Read Genesis 24:12,14
When Abraham was growing old, he knew it was time to find a suitable wife for Isaac. To accomplish the all-important task, Abraham called on his most trusted employee, Eliezer. This assignment was so important he would entrust it to no other man. “Swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women. Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac” (Genesis 24:3-4).
Travelling companions
Read Genesis 23:1-2
For the first part of their life together, Abraham and Sarah worshipped many gods. Then they received a visit from the one true Creator God, who said, in effect, “I have chosen you to become My models of faith. Through My relationship with you and your descendants, I will redeem the world from sin and evil.”
Beyond our expectations
Read Genesis 22:16-18
As Abraham and Isaac headed up the mountain, before Abraham knew how God would intervene, he assured his son that God would provide the sacrifice. And sure enough, God provided a lamb: “Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means ‘the LORD will provide’)” (Genesis 22:13-14). A more literal translation of the Hebrew expression Yahweh-Yireh would be “the Lord will see to it.”
The ultimate sacrifice
Read Genesis 22:1-2
Some years after receiving Isaac, as promised by God, the time had come for Abraham’s faith to be put to the supreme test. God is, of course, omniscient. He doesn’t put people to a test to see how well their faith responds under fire; He prepares tests of faith to show us what He has made of us lately.
Not alone
Read Genesis 21:16-17
When Hagar was forced to leave Abraham’s camp, she wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba, a region roughly 30 miles southwest of Hebron. Hagar, like most suddenly single parents, faced thechallenge of having to survive alone, having to make too little provision cover too many needs, and wondering if Godstill cared.
Perhaps you’re experiencing a time in your life when you feel absolutely alone. Your future is bleak, and you can’t rememberthe last time you really laughed. Your soul is parched, and you don’t know where to turn.
Consequences
Read Genesis 21:10-11
Genesis 21 gives the account of a man whose previous sin now haunts him and harms the people he loves. The birth of Abraham’s long-awaited heir, Isaac, gave him and Sarah great joy, but their delight became tinged with regret.
Unanswered prayers
Read Genesis 21:7
Long after Abraham and Sarah had given up hope of experiencing this joy, they held their very own son in their arms. It would have been easy for them to lose hope when the fulfilment of the promise didn’t come about in the way or the timing they expected. But their trust in the Lord went deeper than their human perspective, deeper than their doubts.
Fulfillment of the impossible
Read Genesis 21:5-6
Perfect timing
Read Genesis 21:1-2
God isn’t in a hurry, so He didn’t have a problem waiting a quarter-century before fulfilling His promise and allowing Abraham and Sarah to conceive. Who knows why He waited that long? It was His call; His timing is perfect. Personally, I believe Abraham would not have been ready any earlier. Abraham needed spiritual maturity, so the Lord waited.