Looking For Love – Love Starts at Home.
Are you looking for love? In this new series about love, based on stories from the Old Testament, Mark reminds us that love starts at home.
Looking For Love
Are you looking for lasting love?
Where are you looking?
What are you looking for in a person?
Where do you even start looking?
You might be asking yourself…
“If there is anyone out there for me, who does God want me to be with?
How will I know if I have found the right person?
I’m interested in someone but are we compatible?”
These are some questions that can constantly circulate in the minds of those who are looking for a meaningful relationship.
The Story of Isaac and Rebekah
This is the first part of a series where we are going to examine the biblical story of how Isaac, the son of Abraham, met Rebekah, found in Genesis 24. It’s a beautiful account of true love. Love is not only seen between Isaac and Rebekah, but love’s arrows fly from all different directions in this drama.
It begins with the love of a father for his son, then there is the love a servant has for his master, the love a young woman has for those in need, and the love of a sovereign God, which is clearly seen from the beginning to the end of this narrative.
In this session, we are going to glean from this story where true love begins.
Love at First Sight
Many believe in “love at first sight,” and that may be true for some; meaning the first time they saw a person, it felt very clear that “this is the one.” I’m going to propose that finding love that lasts, starts within yourself, and if you are a believer in Christ, understanding God’s love for you is the foundation which will guide you in your quest.
Fall in love with God first! Experiencing His true love will help you avoid falling for a counterfeit.
Genesis 24
Let’s begin by reading the first six verses of Genesis 24 from the New Living Translation:
Abraham was now a very old man, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. One day Abraham said to his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household, “Take an oath by putting your hand under my thigh. Swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women. Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac.” The servant asked, “But what if I can’t find a young woman who is willing to travel so far from home? Should I then take Isaac there to live among your relatives in the land you came from?” “No!” Abraham responded. “Be careful never to take my son there. For the LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and my native land, solemnly promised to give this land to my descendants.”
Genesis 24:1-7
You might be saying to yourself, right off the bat, “I can’t see how this story is going to apply to my search for love; it’s totally unrelatable.” I admit, it is very different, but even though the Bible was written over the course of thousands of years, with huge cultural and societal differences from how we live today, we can still find many truths that can be applied to our relationships, dating, and marriage.
Falling in Love
Despite changes, our human make up is the same. We have not changed in the way that a man and a woman fall in love and desire to share life together. The marriage covenant and its Biblical principles are the same.
Most notably is the fact that God has not changed; He still wants to work in the lives of His people; providing, helping and guiding them. He created marriage back in Genesis 2:24, after creating the first man and woman. It’s still important to Him and He wants to play an important role in bringing couples together.
Abraham is Aged
The opening scene of our story begins with Abraham, who is now very old; his body is past functioning; we might get the impression here that he is bedridden. He has handed over the responsibility of his estate to his oldest servant.
Recognizing that he has developed human limitations and weaknesses, causing him to rely upon another, he trusts this servant to work and plan the day-to-day tasks. Any independence Abraham had is gone and he now relies upon another to see his hopes and wishes carried out.
Awareness of Limitations
Any parent who believes in a sovereign God is much like Abraham in this story, whether we are of a culture with arranged marriage or a more hands off approach where your child independently finds love. Awareness of limitations and full ability to know what is best for coming-of-age children is unavoidable.
Ultimately, their life will become their own and parents must step back, allowing them to lean on the Lord themselves for direction. Controlling and making all the decisions for your adult child is not good for them and will leave little room for God to work in their lives.
We Want the Best for our Children
We want to see the best for our children, and it’s hard to come to terms with the fact that only God knows what’s best for them. The goal of parenting is to see your child weaned from dependence upon you into a life of independence.
As much as we may want to continue making decisions for our child, it comes to a point where we must let go and trust upon God’s leading in their personal faith and life. Believers who are blessed to see their children’s faith become their own, know the peace and joy that comes with that.
Reside in the fact that you are incapable of absolutely knowing what is best for them; and turn your dependence towards a higher power, the One who is truly able.
Canaanite Society
Abraham had the moral sense of knowing that the Canaanite society surrounding them had nothing to offer as a suitable bride for Isaac. God had called Abraham to be apart from the world, and that separation meant that he and his family would not join with their neighboring cultures in marriage. Their religious practices and lifestyles were opposed to God and His ways. He would not allow Isaac to be married to an ungodly woman.
New Testament Thinking
In the New Testament we can relate to this way of thinking by knowing the principle found in 2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be bound together with unbelievers.
2 Corinthians 6:14
In Christian homes, where the children have made professions of faith, parents standing upon this standard know that a believer uniting with an unbeliever can potentially be a very slippery slope, causing tension and discord in marriage.
Christian Marriage
Christian parents want to see their children marry well and begin building their home in spiritual unity, and upon Biblical values. If a God centered relationship, is the intent of a couple, lay that foundation early. Amos 3:3 expresses the practical necessity for harmony by asking the question; “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? “
If there is a mutual desire for the Lord to be the central focus of a relationship, that is a super positive start. Make Proverbs 3:5,6 your vision statement as you journey together:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbes 3:5-6
True Love Starts at Home
Parents; true love starts at home. Foundationally, you are a key to helping your children find it. Guide them biblically, be present when they need council, commit them to the Lord, praying that He will go before them, preparing and setting the stage, so when that significant other makes their debut, there will be no doubt in anyone’s mind that God has made His “unfailing love” known.
We will see the reality of this come to light in further episodes.
Are you enjoying God’s reward? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Mark Hillis
Mark lives in the small rural village of Fenwick, Ontario with his wife Michelle and three boys.
He joined the FBH International team in February 2022, coming from the business world with a design and art background.
Mark is particularly interested in seeing people come to Christ and grow in their faith. He recently produced the series entitled: Sow to Grow.
Mark serves as an elder at Brockview Bible Chapel in St.Catharines , Ontario.
Visit Mark’s contributor’s page here.
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Images Courtesy of:
Couple and Sunset – ELG21
Holding Hands – coryclayful
Mother and Child – 947051
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