Day 2: Chayei Sarah/Genesis 23:17:-24:9

Suffice to say, Abraham did not want Isaac to go back to the old country. Moreover, he simply would not accept a bride for Isaac from any of the occupants in Canaan. So, what to do?

Isaac would have been quite old enough to marry who he wanted. When his mother, Sarah, died, Isaac was around thirty-seven years of age. It was apparent to Abraham that the grief of Sarah’s death needed to be squelched with a none-to-late bride for his son.

Alas, troubles arise over where to find this bride-to-be. She cannot come from the Canaanites, as that would have been mingling the future Seed of Righteousness with the seed of the earth. Canaan’s inhabitants were not known as fearers of Elohim. As a matter of fact, they were on their way out of the land. Elohim had limited their respite there to another mere 400-500 years. As descendants of Ham, the Canaanites were to be servants and sojourners, but not suitable helpmates for YHVH’s chosen people. Abraham already knew what it meant to be separate from the inhabitants of the land since Elohim had made that clear to Abraham.

Abraham tasked finding a suitable bride from his homeland to his bondservant. It would not be an easy feat for Abraham’s trusted servant. He was to find a choice bride from among the daughters of Eber that still lived in Mesopotamia, most likely back across the Euphrates River. Abraham could at least rest assured these prospects were of Shem’s bloodline and would have a healthy fear of the Creator. Not only had Elohim foretold Abraham that Isaac’s bride would come from his former household, but it should be remembered that Shem’s lineage held the blessings and the promise of Elohim to be Shem’s (and subsequent generations) Elohim (B’reisheet 9:26). Even if Abraham’s brothers did not worship the same way, the fear of Elohim was already established as they had a promised heritage in the Creator while the Canaanites did not retain that privilege.

At further scrutiny, it is clear that Isaac never left the promised land. By inspired design, this seed would not leave the possession of promise and would symbolize the life believers are to find in Messiah. The inhabitants may be askew, but YHVH has the ability to bring those not askew from afar in order to establish proper marriages and future generations. Those far off may not understand the convictions of their own distant relatives; yet, Elohim can reach their hearts in order to direct their steps and formulate their personal convictions. The important takeaway is that YHVH has the right and ability to regard some as far off and some as close, some as destined for truth and some to be held kept separated. Wrong relationships create wrong circumstances, convictions, ideologies, and allegiances. A simple glance at Ishmael and the future of Esau clearly illustrates this the Scriptural adage: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

Choosing the right counterparts and friends is an important endeavor. Those that we associate with, plan to marry, or intend for our children to seek in marriage should be Sovereignly governed and the journey not to be taken lightly. If we have been bought at such a great price, it would seem that YHVH our Elohim should have His influence to limit our choices. He desires His elect to reject (while still be a good witness to) those living in corruption and impending judgment while choosing to spend time with others who share common knowledge of Who He is as shared convictions. Like Abraham, this is a revealed conviction spoken by Elohim to Him. We should recognize that same voice as the Ruach haKodesh speaks to us.

With much discernment and willingness to believe and obey, the future associations, friends, marriages, and covenants made can bring more glory to the Father; or, those same institutions can wreak havoc on our lives and the future lives of children to come. This should not be misconstrued as a supremacist, separatist mentality, but a diligent behavior that lies within YHVH’s will and purpose for our lives and protects His Ruach from being quenched in our lives.

Dwell upon 2 Corinthians 6:14-16, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Messiah with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of YHVH with idols? For we are the temple of the living Elohim…”