Seeking a Bride for Isaac
Bible students seem well agreed that Isaac represents Christ. As
Abraham gave his son Isaac, in whom centered the promises, to be
sacrificed, so the Heavenly Father gave His Son, Jesus, to be the
Sin-Offering for Adam and his race, and received Him again from the dead,
as Abraham figuratively received Isaac.--Hebrews 11:17-19.
Isaac's bride, Rebecca, typified the Church of Christ, which is to
become His Bride in the resurrection, at His Second Coming. The
correspondencies are remarkable. If Isaac represented Jesus, then Abraham
would represent the Heavenly Father, and Eliezer,
the servant, sent to get the bride, would typify the work of the Holy
Spirit, the Spirit of Truth.
The custom in olden times respecting marriage differed from the custom
of our day. God evidently arranged that Jewish customs should illustrate
spiritual things. Thus, instead of Isaac's seeking a bride, Abraham sought
a bride for him, sending by Eliezer. Thus the picture is complete, as
Jesus declared, "No man can come unto Me except the Father which hath
sent Me draw him"--invite him.--John 6:44.
As Rebecca was found with the sheep, watering them, so those called to
be the Bride of Christ are usually found, not in fellowship with wolves,
but with the Lord's sheep. Moreover, Rebecca and the sheep were found at
the well, symbolically representing the desire of the Little Flock class
for the Water of Life--the well representing the Bible.
Rebecca was found serving
water to the flock, representing well those whom Jesus would select
for His Bride class. He is seeking, not for those who would lord it over
the sheep, but those who feed, refresh and serve them.
The blessing
upon Rebecca was, "Be thou the mother of thousands of
millions." (Genesis 24:60.) To some Bible students this implies that
the Church of Christ will mother in regeneration the millions of Adam's
race, as the glorified Redeemer will be their "Everlasting
Father."--Isaiah 9:6.
Seeking a Bride for Isaac
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