Lesson 29

Genesis 23–24

Introduction

Following Sarah’s death and burial, Abraham sent a servant to his former homeland to find a wife for Isaac from among Abraham’s kindred, who were covenant people. The servant obeyed these instructions, prayed for the Lord’s help, and met Rebekah. She chose to return with the servant and be sealed to Isaac in the covenant of eternal marriage (see D&C 132:19–20, 37).

Suggestions for Teaching

Lead students through the learning process

Students are edified when they are led through a learning process that is similar to what the teacher has experienced during lesson preparation. Students should be led to search the scriptures for understanding and to discover the truths of the gospel for themselves. They should be given opportunities to explain the gospel in their own words and to share and testify of what they know and feel. This helps to bring the gospel from their heads down into their hearts.

Genesis 23:1–24:9

After Sarah dies, Abraham places his servant under oath to find a suitable wife for Isaac

Invite students to imagine a young man and a young woman who are in love and who hope to build a lasting relationship.

• What are some important choices this couple would need to make if they want to build a relationship that will last?

Invite a student to read aloud the following statement by Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“A couple in love can choose a marriage of the highest quality or a lesser type that will not endure. Or they can choose neither. …

“The best choice is a celestial marriage” (“Celestial Marriage,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 92, 94).

• Why is celestial marriage in the temple—or eternal marriage—the best kind of marriage? (In eternal marriages, righteous couples are sealed forever by the power of the priesthood and the family unit continues eternally.)

Invite the class to look for principles as they study Genesis 23–24 that can guide them in their efforts to one day obtain the blessings of eternal marriage.

Remind students that Abraham and Sarah entered into a covenant with God, and this covenant allowed them to have an eternal marriage. Summarize Genesis 23 by explaining that Sarah died and Abraham mourned for her and arranged for her body to be buried.

Remind students that the Lord had promised Abraham and Sarah that their son, Isaac, would receive the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant and that all the families of the earth would be blessed through Isaac’s descendants (see Genesis 17:19, 21; 22:17–18).

• What did Isaac need to do in order for these promises to be fulfilled? (Enter the covenant of eternal marriage.)

Invite a student to read Genesis 24:1–3 aloud. Ask the class to follow along and identify who Abraham did not want Isaac to marry.

• Who did Abraham not want Isaac to marry?

Explain that because the Canaanites did not believe in the Lord, no Canaanite woman would have been prepared to receive the responsibilities and blessings of the Abrahamic covenant and eternal marriage. The decision Isaac faced concerning whether or not to marry in the covenant is just like our choice today of whether to receive the marriage sealing ordinance in the temple.

Invite a student to read Genesis 24:4 aloud. Ask the class to look for an assignment Abraham gave to his servant.

• What assignment did Abraham give to his servant?

Point out that the journey from Abraham’s location in the land of Canaan to Mesopotamia where his relatives lived was a distance of approximately 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometers) round-trip. This journey would require substantial time, effort, and provisions.

• What do Abraham’s instructions to his servant teach us about the importance of obtaining the blessings of eternal marriage? (After students respond, write the following principle on the board: It is worth great effort and sacrifice to obtain the blessings of eternal marriage.)

• What efforts and sacrifices might today’s youth have to make in order to obtain the blessings of eternal marriage?

Ask a student to read aloud the following statement by President Gordon B. Hinckley:

“There is no substitute for marrying in the temple. It is the only place under the heavens where marriage can be solemnized for eternity. Don’t cheat yourself. Don’t cheat your companion. Don’t shortchange your lives. Marry the right person in the right place at the right time” (“Life’s Obligations,” Ensign, Feb. 1999, 2).

Genesis 24:10–60

Abraham’s servant meets Rebekah and her family

Invite a student to read Genesis 24:10–14 aloud. Ask the class to follow along and look for what Abraham’s servant did to fulfill the promise he had made to Abraham. Ask students to report what they find.

Invite a student to read Genesis 24:15–20 aloud. Ask the class to follow along and look for how the servant’s prayer was answered.

• How was the servant’s prayer answered?

Display the picture Rebekah at the Well (Gospel Art Book [2009], no. 10; see also LDS.org). Write the following heading on the board: Character Traits of Rebekah. Invite students to review verses 16–20 silently and look for words and phrases that imply some of Rebekah’s character traits. Ask students to report the character traits implied by these verses. List their responses under the heading on the board. The list could include the following: virtuous, eager to serve, generous, hard-working.

Point out that the servant did not yet know whether this young woman was a relative of Abraham. Summarize Genesis 24:21–25 by explaining that the servant asked Rebekah about her family and learned that she was the granddaughter of Abraham’s brother Nahor.

Invite a student to read Genesis 24:26–28 aloud. Ask the class to look for what Abraham’s servant did and what Rebekah did after they realized their mutual connection through Abraham. Ask students to report what they find.

Summarize Genesis 24:29–49 by explaining that Abraham’s servant was invited to eat with Rebekah’s family. He told the family that Abraham had directed him to find a suitable woman for Isaac to marry among Abraham’s relatives and that the Lord had led him to Rebekah.

Invite a student to read Genesis 24:50–51 aloud. Ask the class to follow along and look for how Rebekah’s brother Laban and her father, Bethuel, responded to Abraham’s servant. Ask students to report what they learn.

Explain that after this response, Abraham’s servant provided gifts to the family, and there was a celebration. The next morning, Abraham’s servant and Rebekah’s family discussed her departure. Invite students to read Genesis 24:54–56 silently to learn when Abraham’s servant wanted to depart and when Rebekah’s family wanted her to depart. Ask students to report what they find.

Ask a student to read Genesis 24:57–60 aloud. Invite the class to follow along and look for how this difference was resolved. Ask students to report what they learn.

• Why do you think Rebekah would commit to leave her family immediately to go and marry Isaac, even though she had never met him?

• What qualities did Rebekah exemplify when she stated, “I will go”? (Add students’ responses to the list on the board. Responses may include faith in the Lord and courage.)

Point out that the phrase “be thou the mother of thousands of millions” in verse 60 suggests that Rebekah and her family understood that she would play a pivotal role in helping to accomplish the divine promise that Abraham’s descendants would be numbered as the stars in the heaven and the sand upon the seashore.

• How do you think Rebekah’s righteous qualities helped prepare her to enter the covenant of eternal marriage?

• What principle can we learn from Rebekah’s example? (Students may give a variety of answers. As they respond, you may want to emphasize the following principle by writing it on the board: If we develop righteous qualities now, we will be better prepared for eternal marriage.)

To help students understand how this principle relates to them, invite a student to read aloud the following statement by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“If you hope to have an eternal companion who has certain spiritual qualities, then you must strive to develop those spiritual qualities in yourself. Then someone who has those qualities will be attracted to you” (in “Understanding Heavenly Father’s Plan”; lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/understanding-heavenly-fathers-plan).

Genesis 24:61–67

Isaac and Rebekah are sealed in eternal marriage

Invite the class to imagine what feelings Rebekah may have had as she traveled the long distance to meet Isaac or what Isaac may have felt as he awaited the servant’s return.

Ask a few students to take turns reading aloud from Genesis 24:61–67. Invite the class to follow along and look for words or phrases suggesting that Isaac and Rebekah were happy to meet and be married to one another. Ask students to report what they find. (You may want to explain that when Rebekah covered herself with a veil, she was demonstrating modesty and respect for Isaac.)

Point out that prior to their marriage, both Isaac and Rebekah had demonstrated faithfulness to the Lord (see Genesis 22:6–13; 24:57–58). As a result, the Lord had provided a way for them to receive the blessings of eternal marriage.

• What principle can we learn from the example of Isaac and Rebekah as we seek the blessings of eternal marriage? (After students respond, write the following principle on the board: If we are faithful to God, He will provide a way for us to receive the blessings of eternal marriage.)

To help students deepen their understanding of this principle, ask a student to read aloud the following statement by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency:

“Now, there are those among you fine young members of the Church who might never marry. Although they are worthy in every way, they may never find someone to whom they will be sealed in the temple of the Lord in this life. …

“… I cannot tell you why one individual’s prayers are answered one way while someone else’s are answered differently. But this I can tell you: the righteous desires of your hearts will be fulfilled.

“… The brief span of this life is nothing in comparison with eternity. And if only we can hope and exercise faith and joyfully endure to the end … there, in that great heavenly future, we will have the fulfillment of the righteous desires of our hearts and so very much more that we can scarcely comprehend now” (“The Reflection in the Water” [Church Educational System devotional, Nov. 1, 2009]; LDS.org).

• How does this statement help you understand Heavenly Father’s love for His children who may not have the opportunity to receive the blessings of eternal marriage in this life?

Testify of the importance of eternal marriage. Invite students to write down a goal that will help them prepare for eternal marriage. You might suggest that they write about a righteous quality they will seek to develop in their lives.

Commentary and Background Information

Genesis 24. The importance of dating right and marrying in the temple

Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that “the most important single thing that any Latter-day Saint ever does in this world … is to marry the right person in the right place by the right authority” (“Celestial Marriage” [Brigham Young University devotional, Nov. 15, 1955], 6).

President Spencer W. Kimball counseled:

“Clearly, right marriage begins with right dating. A person generally marries someone from among those with whom he associates, with whom he goes to school, with whom he goes to church, with whom he socializes. Therefore, this warning comes with great emphasis. Do not take the chance of dating nonmembers, or members who are untrained and faithless” (Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 241; see also Deuteronomy 7:3–4; 2 Corinthians 6:14).

For the Strength of Youth teaches how young people can prepare for a temple marriage:

“Choose to date only those who have high moral standards and in whose company you can maintain your standards. …

“As you enter your adult years, make dating and marriage a high priority. Seek a companion who is worthy to go to the temple to be sealed to you for time and all eternity” (For the Strength of Youth [booklet, 2011], 4, 5).

Genesis 24. The story of Isaac and Rebekah

Sister Julie B. Beck, who served as general president of the Relief Society, explained that the experience of Isaac and Rebekah provides a pattern for the youth of the Church today:

“The story of Isaac and Rebekah is an example of the man, who has the keys, and the woman, who has the influence, working together to ensure the fulfillment of their blessings. Their story is pivotal. The blessings of the house of Israel depended on a man and a woman who understood their place in the plan and their responsibilities to form an eternal family, to bear children, and to teach them.

“… Every young man and young woman should understand his or her role in this great partnership—that they are each an ‘Isaac’ or a ‘Rebekah.’ Then they will know with clarity what they have to do” (“Teaching the Doctrine of the Family,” Ensign, Mar. 2011, 16).

Genesis 24:4. Why didn’t Isaac go to find himself a wife?

We do not know why Abraham sent his servant to find Isaac a wife, rather than sending Isaac. Regardless of the reason, it is evident that the Lord guided Abraham’s servant in identifying a suitable wife for Isaac (see Genesis 24:27).

Genesis 24:67. “She became his wife; and he loved her”

The story of Isaac and Rebekah illustrates the importance of seeking a righteous companion, but it does not indicate that there is only one person we are destined to marry.

President Spencer W. Kimball explained: “‘Soul mates’ are fiction and an illusion; and while every young man and young woman will seek with all diligence and prayerfulness to find a mate with whom life can be most compatible and beautiful, yet it is certain that almost any good man and any good woman can have happiness and a successful marriage if both are willing to pay the price” (“Marriage and Divorce” [Brigham Young University devotional, Sept. 7, 1976], 4; speeches.byu.edu).

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency similarly taught the young adults of the Church:

“I know this may be a disappointment for some of you, but I don’t believe there is only one right person for you. I think I fell in love with my wife, Harriet, from the first moment I saw her. Nevertheless, had she decided to marry someone else, I believe I would have met and fallen in love with someone else. I am eternally grateful that this didn’t happen, but I don’t believe she was my one chance at happiness in this life, nor was I hers” (“The Reflection in the Water” [Church Educational System devotional, Nov. 1, 2009]; LDS.org).

Supplemental Teaching Idea

Genesis 24:10–14. Abraham’s servant seeks a wife for Isaac

After students study Genesis 24:10–14, you could invite them to identify principles from these verses by asking the following question:

• What principles can we learn from the actions of Abraham’s servant? (Students may state a variety of principles, including the following: When faced with difficult tasks, we can turn to the Lord for help. Instead of asking the Lord to solve our problems, we can propose a plan to the Lord for Him to confirm.)