I wanted our studies to be applicable to as many as possible; perhaps this applies more to the younger generation but not exclusively. I hope to have a look at God’s word to singles at some point in the future.

The responsibilities placed upon man were such that he required a helpmeet, and it is God’s will for most that they should marry.

It is not more spiritual to be unmarried nor is it more spiritual to be married, the question we need to ask is this.

What circumstances will enable you to serve the Lord more effectively for the work he has called you to do?

How can I find the right partner?

Or you could be like the one who said to Santa Claus:

Seriously for some young people its a matter of trying out as many as possible, go out with as many girls or boys and see who best suits. That is not God’s way, to play fast and loose with someone else’s emotions is selfish and sinful.

In Gen. 24 we have one of the longest chapters in the Bible, the longest in Genesis, it is a wonderful love story and we find some practical help in finding the right partner.

let me say that this is not a set of rules, don’t expect a list and then tick it off and see how you go, but God has left us some practical help and advice.

Someone has said, "A sweeter chapter was never written than the twenty four of Genesis."

We have many important decisions to make in life. Marriage is the second most important, it is a very significant step, a most important decision and should be make carefully and prayerfully.

It is not the most important decision in life, the most important decision is:

I have to do justice to this passage and show you some of the wonderful types we find in it.

In Gen. 22 we find Isaac, Abraham’s son being led up Mount Moriah and there in type he comes down again, as risen from the dead.

After the Mount Moriah experience, Abraham sends out his servant to find a bride for Isaac, this unnamed servant, goes in search of a bride.

Consider the typical significance, after Calvary, when the son of God had risen from the dead, after he had ascended to his father’s right hand the Spirit of God descended, the Spirit who seeks no glory for himself, but is at work in the world calling out a bride for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Here the unnamed servant goes in search of a bride, now let’s look at Rebekah.

Genesis 24:58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.

I wonder have you been brought to that place yet? What will you do with Christ? Will you go with him? The Spirit has introduced Jesus Christ to you, now you have a decision to make?

Genesis 24:59 And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.

Rebekah then begins the journey, but she is not alone, the unnamed servant accompanies her.

Dear lost soul, salvation is just the beginning, you then have, like Rebekah, to travel through dusty and perhaps dirty pathways, perhaps difficult days but you are never alone, the Spirit of God is guiding you onward and upward.

Genesis 24:64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.

She was guided right to her groom. And when you trust the Lord, one-day you will see him and be with him for all eternity.

Jesus Christ who died for me.

In the actions of Abraham’s servant we find some help.

Firstly physical compatibility.

Rebekah was very fair to look upon, she was good looking, beautiful and there must be that physical attraction.

This is usually where a relationship will begin, by a young man or young woman being attracted physically to each other there is nothing sinful or shameful about this.

I read about a widow woman who married a farm labourer, she said, "he’s not much to look at, but sure he will out in the fields most of the day."

But let us be careful, physical attraction is not enough. A marriage based on the physical is based on an unsteady foundation.

Judges 14:1 And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.

Judges 14:2-3 And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife. [3] Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.

Judges 14:7 And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well.

Judges 14:8 And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion.

Samson’s first marriage didn’t last through the honeymoon; he made a decision solely on the physical.

We are thinking about, a compatibility that is precious.

Genesis 24:3-4 And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: [4] But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.

Dear child of God, the scripture is as clear as can be in this area, for the child of God, marriage most only be with another believer.

We have precepts and we have examples of disasters because of the unequal yoke in marriage.

2 Samuel 3:3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

The unequal yoke is forbidden in scripture by precept and by example, here are some good reasons.

• Foundation of home life.

How can two walk together except they be agreed?

• Interests.

Your husband/wife may want to go to places of entertainment, what an unhappy condition will be created.

• Children.

You will want to bring them up in an atmosphere of honouring the Lord.

• Eternity.

As time passes how will you come to terms with the fact of spending eternity apart?

• Spiritual life.

Will you be able to maintain your spiritual life in such an environment?

I believe there is a challenge here for God’s people to encourage our young people to keep the right company. To provide opportunities for them to meet with other young believers

But let me say this, scripture says it is not enough just to marry a believer.

1 Cor. 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

You need to ask yourself, even though this person is a Christian:-

Let me quote Pastor Sam Carson, [Genesis Brides] "It must be obvious that the mere fact that both partners are in Christ is not in itself sufficient grounds for marriage, only in the Lord is the Pauline expression used when the subject of marriage is under discussion. This surely means that a prerequisite to a truly Christian marriage there will be on the part of the man and the woman a waiting upon God in subjection to the Lordship of Christ, and a definite seeking after the leading of the holy Spirit."

There needs to be that physical attraction and the spiritual attraction, do you desire the same things spiritually?

The world says give it a go, live together, but God’s word teaches us differently.

The cleaving must follow the leaving; there is a tremendous pressure on young people to conform to the standards of the world.

Ken Trivette supplies the following information.

What is the Government’s response? Our young people need to be taught that the best way is to have safe sex. The Bible says the only safe sex is no sex, outside of marriage.

Young Christians need to be aware that their bodies are described as temples, the dwelling place of God, sin defiles that dwelling place.

The temple is a place where God is worshipped and where his glory is seen, you need to remember the dignity and purity associated with the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Our standards do not come from soap operas, or from magazine columnists, or from pop songs. Our standards must be based on the word of God.

In Gen. 34, we read about a man who loved a girl, but he had a sexual relationship with her before marriage.

He loved her, but he defiled her. Would you want to defile the person you want to spend the rest of your life with?

1 Tim. 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

1 Cor. 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

A king was once seeking a coach driver, he had three applicants. To each he asked a simple question.

How close to the ravine could you ride the carriage?

One said within 2 inches.

Another said, within one inch.

Finally the third said, "I could ride it to about ½ inch but I would stay at least two foot from the edge because it is too dangerous."

He got the job. Young people don’t steer too close to the edge, keep thyself pure.

Courtship should be a time of meeting and being together, learning about each other and coming to have a deep love and lasting respect for each other.

How can we know for sure that we have the right partner?

We see God’s sovereignty. God brought the woman to the man, but let me say that doesn’t absolve you from your responsibility. Let us examine some useful helps in Gen. 24.

This is the most important decision, outside salvation surely you should pray about it.

Make it a matter of prayer, young person, ask God to show you this is the right partner for you.

It was obvious from Rebekah’s actions she was a kind, loving, caring and committed person. She watered every camel that the servant had brought with him. [Gen: 24 v 14-20]

Even though the servant prayed there still was a long journey ahead. This matter should never be rushed.

Genesis 24:21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.

Even when things looked really good he held his peace, he had to be sure. Make haste slowly, don’t rush things, continually wait upon God, in prayer and have the patience that is desired.

I believe verse 27 is the key verse.

Genesis 24:27 And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren.

The servant was able to say, "I being in the way, the Lord led me." The servant was in the master’s will, the servant was walking in the master’s way and he was led by the Lord.

Romans 12:1-3 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Your Christian walk is perhaps more important that you first realised.

Decisions made when you are far away from the Lord, cold and indifferent, when perhaps there is sin in your life, can be dubious and dangerous.

Will you walk so as to please the Lord? Then you will, like Abraham’s servant be able to say, "I being in the way, the Lord led me."

Genesis 24:1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.

Genesis 24:67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

This chapter began with the blessing of God and ended with the love of the son.

That’s what you need to find the right partner and to have a happy marriage, the blessing of God and the love of the son. It’s wonderful, it’s possible.

Marriage is truly wonderful, a couple were married for 50 years, a friend said to the husband, "It’s a long time." He replied, "It would have been a lot longer without her".

May the Lord help you find the right partner.