TEXT: Genesis 24, 25, & 26

1. SEARCHING OUR MEMORIES
   1. Discuss what you chose to do from last week's "Searching Our Lives" suggestions.

   2. After Abraham demonstrated his faith by preparing to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, what did God promise him?

2. SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
   3. As chapter 24 opens, what physical condition is Abraham in?

   4. The first verse of this chapter states that Abraham had been blessed "in every way." In what ways was he blessed? (See verses 35-36, as well as any other blessings you can think of from previous lessons.)

   5. What does Abraham ask his chief servant to do in order to seal the oath he is about to make?

      This is a custom that, according to Gill's commentary, is still practiced in some eastern cultures.

   6. What oath does Abraham ask his servant to make?

   7. What does Abraham seem to be the most concerned about in these opening verses?

   8. 1. What does the servant take with him, and where does he go?

      2. Why does he take these things? (verses 22, 30, 47, 53)

   9. What evidence does chapter 24 provide indicating that the Lord was a guiding force in the servant's search for a wife for Isaac?

   10. How is Rebekah related to Abraham? (verse 15)

   11. What character traits does Rebekah exhibit in this encounter with the servant at the well?

   12. From verse 67, what effect does marriage have on Isaac?

   13. What reunion takes place at the burial of Abraham?

   14. From 25:21, what condition does Rebekah suffer from, and what does Isaac do?

   15. What is the prophecy given in 25:23 concerning Rebekah's babies?

   16. In what was Esau skilled?

   17. What problem are we told about in verse 28?

   18. For what price did Esau sell his birthright to his brother?

   19. In 26:1, we are told of a famine in the land. What does the Lord tell Isaac to do?

   20. Who is the king of the land in which Isaac is living?

       Do you remember this same name popping up in similar circumstances during Abraham's life? See Genesis 20 for a reminder. Commentators think that this was probably not the same king, but probably the son of the king in Genesis 20.

   21. 1. What lie about Rebekah has Isaac been telling these people?

       2. What is the result?

   22. Why does King Abimelech ask Isaac and Rebekah to leave his land?

   23. 1. What promise does God make to Isaac?

       2. What is Isaac's response to the promise?

   24. Apparently, King Abimelech has been getting reports about Isaac and Rebekah's success. What does King Abimelech do as a result?

   25. 1. What did Esau do when he was 40 years old?

       2. Why do you think this was a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah?

3. MAKING THE CONNECTION
   26. Abraham's servant prayed before endeavoring to complete his mission to find Isaac a wife. According to Philippians 4:6, in what circumstances are we to pray?

   27. According to this verse, what frame of mind should we be in and what attitude should accompany our prayer?

   28. 1. James 2:23 calls Abraham "God's friend." In Luke 16:19-31, in the story that is related by Jesus concerning the rich man and Lazarus, what role does Abraham have?

       2. What do you think the story of the rich man and Lazarus tells us about what it means for someone to be "gathered to his people"? (Genesis 25:8)

   29. Rebekah and Isaac each loved one child more than the other. From John 3:16 and Romans 2:11, how does this differ from God's love?

   30. What advice are we given in 2 Corinthians 6:14 that would have been helpful to Esau? What are some of the possible pitfalls of not following this advice?

4. SEARCHING THE HEART
   31. What do you think are some of the lessons for parents found in these chapters?

   32. What are some ways that prayer has helped you in making decisions?

   33. What are some things that can improve our prayer life?

   34. Why do you think that Isaac made the same mistake as Abraham in misrepresenting his relationship with his wife? What lessons are there for us in this situation?

5. SEARCHING OUR LIVES (Choose one of the following to complete and discuss for next week.)
   35. Keep a prayer journal this week. Write down what/whom you prayed for and what the results were.

   36. When you do a particular task this week, think of Abraham's servant. How can you perform your task with the same attitude, dedication and prayerfulness as the servant did? Describe whether these things made a difference in how you felt about doing the job.

   37. We know from the scriptures listed in question 29 that God does not practice favoritism. Are there any situations in your life in which you are guilty of showing favoritism? Pray about those specific situations, and ask God for guidance.