KIDS OF THE KINGDOM // LESSON 12
God Tests Abraham
1. ABRAHAM FINDS ISAAC A WIFE
- Some years after God tested Abraham, Sarah (Abraham’s wife) died at 127 years old! Abraham bought a cave and buried Sarah there since God hadn't fully given his family the land of Canaan yet.
- The owner of the cave tried to give it to Abraham for free, but Abraham refused and actually paid a generous amount to the owner.
- When we trust God, we are free to handle our money wisely, kindly, and honestly.
- Abraham and Isaac buried Sarah and cried so much over her!
- Isaac was 40 years old, and he wasn't married yet!
- Abraham called Eliezer, his trusted servant, and said “I want you to swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac.” Genesis 24:3-4
- Abraham wanted to make sure that Isaac married a woman of God instead of a woman of the world.
- Abraham knew that it’s so important who you marry! This truth is still so real today! If you marry someone who doesn't trust in Jesus and doesn't hasn't chosen life with God, doing life with God will be much more difficult! And nothing is worth making a connection with God more difficult!
- Eliezer responded with worry about whether or not the woman would come back with him to the promised land. Abraham wasn't worried. He’d seen God come through in such crazier ways! Abraham trusted that God was in control of this entire situation!
2. ISAAC AND REBEKAH
- Eliezer journeyed a long way to keep his promise to Abraham! It probably took him 8-10 weeks to walk to Nahor, and he brought all kinds of Abraham’s goods with him!
- When he arrived in the city, his first concern was watering his camels!
- He prayed to God and asked God to reveal His chosen woman in a very specific way–bring a woman that offers to fetch water for his 10 camels!
- That was probably 200 gallons of water!!!
- The Bible tells us that “Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder.” Genesis 24:15
- This reminds me of a verse in Isaiah that says “Before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24
- God always hears when we talk to Him!!
- A few times in my life has God answered a prayer that quickly, but sometimes He does! No matter what we are doing or what the outcome is, it is always best to seek out God’s voice and help! There’s no circumstance too big or small to talk with God about.
- This woman, Rebekah, is beautiful, gives Eliezer water, works quickly, and offers to get water for the 10 camels!!
- That was exactly the sign Eliezer prayed for!!
- God loves to make things clear for us– the challenge is waiting on His timing!
- Eliezer immediately presents her with gold as a gift of appreciation. He then asks her whose family she belongs to because he promised Abraham he would make sure that she was a woman of God– thankfully Rebekah belonged to God!
- God worked in Rebekah’s heart to prepare her to leave her family and travel to the land of Cannan. She married Isaac, and Isaac loved her very much.
- In this part of the lesson, we see that God both leads us and responds to our prayers! Did you know that your prayers move God’s heart? Have you ever seen God answer one of your prayers?
3. ISAAC AND REBEKAH HAVE TWINS
- At this point in the story, Isaac and Rebekah, have been married for 20 years!
- They love each other so much, but they have no children.
- Isaac knew there were so many promises from God over his family, so he waited faithfully on God and kept praying!
- He probably knew the crazy story of how his dad had to wait 25 years to see God’s promise come to pass. When we hear how God has come through for other people, it helps us to know that He will come through for us, too!
- This is why it’s so important to read God’s Word and be around the family of God– it strengthens our faith!
- Genesis 25:21-22 says “The Lord answered his prayer and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.
- God tells Rebekah that He has given her twin boys! Both boys would each have their own nation, and the younger one would be greater than the older one!
*4. ISAAC RECEIVES GODS PROMISES *
- Abraham lived 175 years– when Abraham died, Ishmael came back from his desert home. Ishmael and his brother, Isaac, buried Abraham in the cave next to his wife, Sarah.
- Abraham learned to trust and obey God throughout his life, and Abraham is known as the “friend of God”.
- Genesis 26:2 tells us that after Abraham’s death, “The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants, I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham.”
- Basically, all of the promises God gave to Abraham, He gave to Isaac, too!
- Isaac was now the new leader of God’s chosen people!
- Have you noticed how important trusting TRUST L13 God is in every single one of these stories? What are some ways that you could let go and trust God in your life?
- Talk to a friend or a family member about this and ask them to pray over you! God loves to give us the strength to trust Him.
We are including Sara's notes for complete transparency for parents.
