TEXT: Gen. 24:1-4, 67

INTRODUCTION:

A. ABRAHAM CHOSEN FOR THIS REASON( Gen. 18:19 ).

1. Parents have a responsibility( Eph. 6:4; Prov. 22:6,15 ).

2. Wise children listen( Prov. 3:1-2 ).

B. ABRAHAM WAS CONCERNED FOR ISAAC’S CHOICE OF A WIFE

( Gen.24:3 ).

1. Natural that he should give advice.

2. It’s advice we can learn from.

I. ADVISED NOT TO MARRY OF THE UNGODLY CANAANITES( Gen. 24:3 ).

A. REBEKAH EQUALLY CONCERNED ABOUT JACOB( Gen. 27:46; 28:1 ).

B. THE LAW OF MOSES OUTLAWED MIXED MARRIAGES( Deut. 7:3-5 ).

1. The reason( vs. 4 ).

2. Not a racial thing( Numbers 12 ).

C. THE CONSEQUENCE OF DISOBEDIENCE( Josh. 23:12-13; 1 Kng 12:1-4 )

II. CHRISTIANS ARE GIVEN THESE INSTRUCTIONS:

A. CHRISTIANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO MARRY( 1 Cor. 9:5; 7:2 ).

B. TO YOUNG WIDOWS( 1 Tim. 5:14-15; 1 Cor. 7:39 ).

C. SOUND ADVICE TO YOUNG CHRISTIANS( 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1 ).

1. General principle with many specific applications.

2. Same dangers today. What does God think?

D. MARRIAGE IS NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY( Heb. 13:4 ).

E. MARRIAGE IS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP IN THIS LIFE( Luke 14:26 ).

F. SOME MUST REMAIN CELIBATE TO GO TO HEAVEN( Mat. 19:9-12 ).

III. CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING A MATE:

A. NOBODY’S PERFECT - DO YOU WANT TO BE AN OLD MAID?

B. CERTAIN THINGS ARE IMPORTANT FOR A HAPPY LIFE.

C. CHOOSING A WIFE:

1. Is she a Christian?( Amos 3:3; 1 Cor. 9:5 ).

2. Does she love me?

a. LOVE is not "infatuation" or "in love."

b. LOVE is not rebellion against Mom and Dad.

c. LOVE is sometimes the product of considering the good

qualities in a man.

3. Does she love children and domestic life( 1 Tim. 5:14; Titus 2:3-5 ).

4. Does she use good judgment and have strong character?

( Prov. 12:4; 14:1 ). Or just strong opinions?

5. A good disposition?( Prov. 19:13-14; 21:9, 19; 27:15-16 ).

6. A wonderful woman( Prov. 31; 1 Pet. 3:1-6; Eph. 5:22-24 ).

D. CHOOSING A HUSBAND:

1. A Christian? Same considerations. Don’t ask for it!

2. Does he love me or my body?( Eph. 5:25 ).

3. Can he provide for me?( 1 Tim. 5:8 ).

4. Does he have character?( Prov. 31:23 ).

5. What is his disposition?( 1 Pet. 3:7 ).

6. Unselfish?( 1 Cor. 13:5 ).

E. 1 Cor. 13:4-7.

IV. REMEMBER!! IT IS FOREVER!

A. DON’T LET ANYONE CONVINCE YOU THAT IF YOUR MARRIAGE DOESN’T WORK OUT YOU CAN START OVER AGAIN AS THOUGH THE FIRST ONE NEVER HAPPENED.

B. WHEN THERE IS A DIVORCE, AT LEAST ONE SOUL IS LOST.

C. GOD’S LAW APPLIES TO ALL - BECOMING A CHRISTIAN DOES NOT ERASE THE ERROR. REPENTANCE ERASES THE ERROR.

CONCLUSION:

A. WHAT YOU DO WILL EFFECT YOUR HAPPINESS HERE AND YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY.

B. GOD MUST COME FIRST( Mat. 6:33 ).