Bob
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by Bob on Nov 22, 2008 20:21:08 GMT -8
Abraham in this weeks  reading sent his servant to choose a bride for his son. This custom is very far removed from today's society. Would it still be valid? Or should we consider that Ha Shem was the matchmaker then just as he is now? |
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Post by Prodigal Girl on Nov 23, 2008 10:56:26 GMT -8
I assume by "today's society" you really mean modern western (as in American, for example) society. Because in actuality this custom is still very much in place for the vast majority of persons in the world of today. We just do not realize it because we are so insulated.
What helps me to understand many things in the Bible, is that it was not written specifically for Americans in the 21st century. It aims more at what is still in place for the vast majority (numerically) of the world's population: extreme poverty, disease, rampant human slavery, starvation, and brutal treatment by others.
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Post by Mark on Nov 23, 2008 10:58:09 GMT -8
No, this isn't advocating pre-arranged marriages. In fact, Abraham declares that the choice for Isaac's bride was to made by Adonai in Gen. 24:7. "He shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence." Abraham's faith was that the bride that was chosen for Isaac would be God's.
In fact, Rabbinical Judaism uses this story as evidence that the bride is to have say in whether or not she is to marry:
And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master. And they said, We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth. And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.
(Genesis 24:56-58 KJV)
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Post by Prodigal Girl on Nov 24, 2008 16:28:16 GMT -8
Very good points.
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Post by lawrenceofisrael on Nov 25, 2008 11:20:50 GMT -8
The wonderful message we can get out of this story is something that has helped me very much.
I always got odd reactions when i told people that i don´t want a girl friend but in case i love a woman i´ll marry her instantly.
People always threw words at me like: What you don´t know a woman then. You gotta be going out with her for a few years and you gotta "share the bed with her" (you know what i mean).
The wonderful thing is. Yitzhak (may the Lord remember him) didn´t know his future wife personally. But he trusted both his servant (may the Lord remember him) and the most faithful ever, the almighty Lord.
The funny thing is that out of three couples married one gets divorced over time here in germany and 99% shared the beds before being married and/or were going out couple of years before marriage.
Praise be to the one except whom there is no one worthy of worship.
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reading sent his servant to choose a bride for his son. 
