““Lesson 12: Isaac Lesson 12: Isaac and Rebekah,” and Rebekah,” Primary 6: Old Primary 6: Old

Testament, Testament, (1996),4(1996),477

Isaac and Rebekah

I am going to show you how to make I am going to show you how to make a large paper ring out of a 5″ x 7″ a large paper ring out of a 5″ x 7″ piece of paper. piece of paper.

To do this I must follow the directions To do this I must follow the directions exactly. exactly.

____________ stand and gently slip the ____________ stand and gently slip the paper ring over your head and guide paper ring over your head and guide it to the floor. it to the floor.

How is eternal How is eternal marriage like a ring? marriage like a ring?

It has no end. It has no end. What is required for a What is required for a

temple marriage to temple marriage to last forever and have last forever and have no end? no end?

Both the husband and Both the husband and wife must obey wife must obey Heavenly Father’s Heavenly Father’s commandments and commandments and keep their covenants. keep their covenants.

In this lesson we will learn In this lesson we will learn more about eternal more about eternal marriage. marriage.

Heavenly Father has Heavenly Father has provided a way for us to provided a way for us to receive the same blessings receive the same blessings that he promised Abraham. that he promised Abraham.

Let’s read Let’s read Genesis 22:17–18

The Lord made the same The Lord made the same covenants with Isaac and covenants with Isaac and Jacob that he did with Jacob that he did with Abraham and that he Abraham and that he promises the same things promises the same things to everyone who marries in to everyone who marries in the temple and keeps his the temple and keeps his or her temple covenants. or her temple covenants.

Rebekah lifted the water Rebekah lifted the water pitcher to her shoulder and pitcher to her shoulder and started from her home started from her home toward the well outside the toward the well outside the city gate. It was evening in city gate. It was evening in the city of Nahor as she the city of Nahor as she went to carry out her daily went to carry out her daily task.task.

Many women were gathered Many women were gathered at the well to draw its cool at the well to draw its cool water. Rebekah filled her water. Rebekah filled her pitcher, and as she started pitcher, and as she started back, a stranger approached back, a stranger approached her. “Let me, I pray thee, her. “Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy drink a little water of thy pitcher,” he asked.pitcher,” he asked.

Rebekah could see that Rebekah could see that the man was a traveler the man was a traveler and that he had come a and that he had come a long way. Quickly she long way. Quickly she lowered the pitcher and lowered the pitcher and kindly said, “Drink, my kindly said, “Drink, my lord.”lord.”

As the stranger quenched As the stranger quenched his thirst, Rebekah was his thirst, Rebekah was aware of his camels. They aware of his camels. They would also need water. would also need water. Even as she voiced her Even as she voiced her willingness to care for the willingness to care for the needs of his animals, she needs of his animals, she emptied the rest of the emptied the rest of the water from her pitcher water from her pitcher into the trough for them into the trough for them and ran to the well for and ran to the well for more.more.

Rebekah was puzzled that the stranger Rebekah was puzzled that the stranger seemed filled with awe and excitement as seemed filled with awe and excitement as she performed these simple acts of she performed these simple acts of kindness. kindness.

When he asked who her parents were and When he asked who her parents were and if he might find lodging at their home for if he might find lodging at their home for the night, Rebekah responded graciously the night, Rebekah responded graciously and said that he would be welcome.and said that he would be welcome.

Later, as the guest sat with Later, as the guest sat with

Rebekah’s family and they were Rebekah’s family and they were about to begin the evening meal, about to begin the evening meal, the stranger announced, “I will not the stranger announced, “I will not eat, until I have told mine errand.”eat, until I have told mine errand.”

Rebekah and her family were Rebekah and her family were astonished as he told his story. He astonished as he told his story. He said that he was the chief servant said that he was the chief servant of Abraham, a great and righteous of Abraham, a great and righteous follower of the Lord. follower of the Lord.

Abraham had entrusted him to Abraham had entrusted him to come all the way to Nahor to find come all the way to Nahor to find a worthy wife for his son Isaac. It a worthy wife for his son Isaac. It was important to Abraham that was important to Abraham that his son marry a young woman his son marry a young woman who would also love the Lord and who would also love the Lord and be faithful in keeping His be faithful in keeping His covenants. covenants.

The servant had been very The servant had been very prayerful in this sacred prayerful in this sacred assignment. He explained assignment. He explained that when he arrived that when he arrived outside the city gates, he outside the city gates, he had asked the Lord to help had asked the Lord to help him know who Isaac’s wife him know who Isaac’s wife should be. should be.

He then planned to ask the He then planned to ask the young women who came to young women who came to the well for a drink of water. the well for a drink of water. He prayed that whoever He prayed that whoever would not only give him would not only give him water but also offer to water water but also offer to water his camels would be the one his camels would be the one the Lord had chosen to be the Lord had chosen to be Isaac’s wife. Rebekah was Isaac’s wife. Rebekah was the answer to his prayers. the answer to his prayers.

Rebekah’s family realized that what Rebekah’s family realized that what had happened was according to the had happened was according to the Lord’s will. They answered Lord’s will. They answered Abraham’s servant, “Let her be thy Abraham’s servant, “Let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as the Lord hath master’s son’s wife, as the Lord hath spoken.” spoken.”

Rebekah’s heart must have been Rebekah’s heart must have been filled with wonder and excitement filled with wonder and excitement and prayer throughout the night. In and prayer throughout the night. In the morning her family came to her the morning her family came to her with a question. Abraham’s servant with a question. Abraham’s servant was anxious to return to his master was anxious to return to his master with Rebekah, but her family hoped with Rebekah, but her family hoped that she could remain at home for that she could remain at home for at least ten days. at least ten days.

Now they asked her what she would Now they asked her what she would do. Though she had not met Isaac, do. Though she had not met Isaac, and though she would be leaving and though she would be leaving her family to live in another land, her family to live in another land, Rebekah trusted in the Lord and Rebekah trusted in the Lord and knew that He was directing these knew that He was directing these events. With deep faith, she events. With deep faith, she answered her family simply, “I will answered her family simply, “I will go.” go.”

After many days, the caravan After many days, the caravan approached the place where approached the place where Isaac lived. Rebekah saw Isaac lived. Rebekah saw someone in the fields walking someone in the fields walking toward them. It was Isaac. toward them. It was Isaac. Undoubtedly he had also given Undoubtedly he had also given much thought and prayer to much thought and prayer to the servant’s mission. the servant’s mission.

Now as he was meditating and Now as he was meditating and walking in the fields at walking in the fields at evening, he and Rebekah saw evening, he and Rebekah saw each other for the first time. each other for the first time. The servant dismounted and The servant dismounted and reported his mission. reported his mission.

When Isaac heard of Rebekah’s When Isaac heard of Rebekah’s kindness, of her willingness to kindness, of her willingness to be of service, and of her great be of service, and of her great faith in the Lord, it was little faith in the Lord, it was little wonder that “he loved her.” wonder that “he loved her.”

Why was Abraham concerned that Isaac Why was Abraham concerned that Isaac not marry a Canaanite woman? not marry a Canaanite woman? Genesis 24:3–4; ;

Canaanites worshiped false gods. If Isaac Canaanites worshiped false gods. If Isaac married someone of another faith, he married someone of another faith, he would marry outside the covenant. would marry outside the covenant.

Abraham wanted Isaac to marry a woman Abraham wanted Isaac to marry a woman who would help him remain faithful. Only in who would help him remain faithful. Only in this way would the priesthood remain with this way would the priesthood remain with Abraham’s descendants and would they Abraham’s descendants and would they receive the special blessings the Lord had receive the special blessings the Lord had promised to Abraham and his seed. promised to Abraham and his seed.

Salt Lake Temple

Nauvoo Temple

Dallas Temple

Idaho Falls

Temple

By marrying in the temple we can qualify for all the By marrying in the temple we can qualify for all the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Let’s review those blessings:Let’s review those blessings: His name would be great among all nations.His name would be great among all nations. All who accept the gospel through baptism would be All who accept the gospel through baptism would be

known as Abraham’s descendants.known as Abraham’s descendants. The Lord would bless those who blessed Abraham and The Lord would bless those who blessed Abraham and

curse those who cursed Abraham.curse those who cursed Abraham. His descendants would have the priesthood. His descendants would have the priesthood. His seed would have the responsibility to be missionaries His seed would have the responsibility to be missionaries

and take the gospel to all nations.and take the gospel to all nations. Abraham and his descendants would be given the land of Abraham and his descendants would be given the land of

Canaan.Canaan. The Lord would multiply Abraham’s seed greatly (Abraham The Lord would multiply Abraham’s seed greatly (Abraham

would have many descendants).would have many descendants).

How would you feel How would you feel if someone if someone arranged a arranged a marriage for you to marriage for you to a person you didn’t a person you didn’t know, as happened know, as happened with Isaac and with Isaac and Rebekah? Rebekah?

What kind of person What kind of person would you trust to would you trust to choose your choose your marriage partner? marriage partner?

What characteristics did the servant of What characteristics did the servant of Abraham have that showed he could be Abraham have that showed he could be trusted to find the right wife for Isaac? trusted to find the right wife for Isaac? Genesis 24:12–14, 33, 48. Genesis 24:12–14, 33, 48.

He prayed for help by asking the Lord to He prayed for help by asking the Lord to confirm his plan rather than solve his confirm his plan rather than solve his problem. problem.

He was more concerned about completing his He was more concerned about completing his assignment than he was for his own comfort. assignment than he was for his own comfort.

He expressed gratitude for the Lord’s help. He expressed gratitude for the Lord’s help.

In seeking the Lord’s help, how can you follow In seeking the Lord’s help, how can you follow the example of the servant of Abraham? the example of the servant of Abraham?

What did Rebekah’s What did Rebekah’s willingness to water the willingness to water the servant’s camels show servant’s camels show about the type of person about the type of person she was? Genesis 24:18–she was? Genesis 24:18–19. 19.

What could you do to What could you do to develop the qualities of develop the qualities of being a hard worker, being a hard worker, unselfish, and dependable? unselfish, and dependable?

When you are given a hard When you are given a hard task to do, what could you task to do, what could you do to make the job more do to make the job more pleasant? pleasant?

How did Rebekah complete How did Rebekah complete her difficult task? Genesis her difficult task? Genesis 24:20.24:20.

Though a camel can go Though a camel can go for days without a drink for days without a drink of water, in the summer of water, in the summer a camel may drink five a camel may drink five gallons of water a day. gallons of water a day.

Imagine how many trips Imagine how many trips Rebekah made to the Rebekah made to the well to fill her pitcher to well to fill her pitcher to draw water for ten draw water for ten camels to have enough camels to have enough to drink. to drink.

Rebekah was willing to Rebekah was willing to serve others. serve others.

Here are several Here are several pitchurs similar to what pitchurs similar to what Rachel used. Write in Rachel used. Write in each one something you each one something you would be willing to do to would be willing to do to serve someone else.serve someone else. Enrichment Activity 2

How did Rebekah’s How did Rebekah’s father and brother father and brother respond to the respond to the request for Rebekah request for Rebekah to marry Isaac? to marry Isaac? Genesis 24:50–51. Genesis 24:50–51.

How can the How can the examples set by examples set by parents affect their parents affect their children? children?

What great quality did What great quality did Rebekah demonstrate Rebekah demonstrate when she answered her when she answered her family about going with family about going with the servant? Genesis the servant? Genesis 24:5824:58

She had faith in God. She had faith in God. Why do you think Why do you think

Rebekah was willing to Rebekah was willing to marry a stranger from marry a stranger from another land? another land?

Rebekah wanted to marry Rebekah wanted to marry in the covenant and in the covenant and provide the blessings of provide the blessings of Abraham for herself and Abraham for herself and her children.her children.

• • What did What did Rebekah’s family Rebekah’s family do before she left do before she left them? (Genesis them? (Genesis 24:60.) How do you 24:60.) How do you think a father’s think a father’s blessing could help blessing could help a person preparing a person preparing for marriage? for marriage?

When should you start When should you start preparing for your preparing for your eternal marriage? eternal marriage?

A latter-day prophet, A latter-day prophet, Spencer W. Kimball, has Spencer W. Kimball, has said, “We recommend … said, “We recommend … that all boys and girls that all boys and girls from their infancy up from their infancy up plan to be married only plan to be married only in the temple … to keep in the temple … to keep their lives spotless so their lives spotless so that this can be that this can be accomplished” accomplished” (“The Matter of (“The Matter of

Marriage” [address delivered at the Salt Lake Institute of Marriage” [address delivered at the Salt Lake Institute of

Religion, 22 Oct. 1976]).Religion, 22 Oct. 1976]).

What are some What are some things you might things you might do to prepare for do to prepare for your eternal your eternal marriage? marriage?

What can you do in What can you do in your family right your family right now to help your now to help your family be more family be more celestial? celestial?

What was one What was one important thing important thing that Isaac did to that Isaac did to make his make his marriage happy? marriage happy? Genesis 24:67 Genesis 24:67

He loved his wife. He loved his wife. How can you How can you

show more love show more love for the members for the members of your family?of your family?

Imagine that they Imagine that they are in heaven and are in heaven and their families are their families are seated on these seated on these chairs. chairs.

What would heaven What would heaven be like if you looked be like if you looked around and found around and found one of your family one of your family members missing?members missing?

Enrichment activity 3

……from President Ezra Taft from President Ezra Taft Benson, thirteenth President Benson, thirteenth President of the Church:of the Church:

““God intended the family to God intended the family to be eternal. With all my soul, I be eternal. With all my soul, I testify to the truth of that testify to the truth of that declaration. May He bless us declaration. May He bless us to strengthen our homes and to strengthen our homes and the lives of each family the lives of each family member so that in due time member so that in due time we can report to our we can report to our Heavenly Father in His Heavenly Father in His celestial home that we are all celestial home that we are all there—father, mother, sister, there—father, mother, sister, brother, all who hold each brother, all who hold each other dear. Each chair is other dear. Each chair is filled. We are all back home” filled. We are all back home” ((The Teachings of Ezra Taft BensonThe Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], p. 493). [1988], p. 493).

What are some What are some ways we can follow ways we can follow President Benson’s President Benson’s counsel now and in counsel now and in the future? the future?

I encourage you to I encourage you to go home and go home and discuss these ideas discuss these ideas with your families with your families and make a list of and make a list of ideas that you can ideas that you can work on together.work on together.

It is a sacred privilege it is to be permitted into It is a sacred privilege it is to be permitted into the temple of the Lord. the temple of the Lord.

These are some of the things that are necessary These are some of the things that are necessary for a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of for a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to do to receive a temple Latter-day Saints to do to receive a temple recommendrecommend

Keep your body and mind clean and pure.Keep your body and mind clean and pure. Sustain the President of the Church as a prophet, Sustain the President of the Church as a prophet,

seer, and revelator.seer, and revelator. Pay a full tithe.Pay a full tithe. Live the Word of Wisdom.Live the Word of Wisdom. Be totally honest.Be totally honest. Attend Church meetings and keep the Attend Church meetings and keep the

commandments.commandments. Treat your family with kindness.Treat your family with kindness. Set the goal now to be married in the temple so Set the goal now to be married in the temple so

you can qualify for the blessings of Abraham and you can qualify for the blessings of Abraham and so you can make these blessings available to so you can make these blessings available to your children.your children.

Erichment activity 5

““Having in mind the importance Having in mind the importance

of temple work, wouldn’t it be of temple work, wouldn’t it be wonderful if every Latter-day wonderful if every Latter-day Saint home had in the bedroom Saint home had in the bedroom of each boy and each girl, or on of each boy and each girl, or on the mantel of the living room, a the mantel of the living room, a fairly good-sized picture of a fairly good-sized picture of a temple which would help them temple which would help them recall, frequently, the purpose of recall, frequently, the purpose of these beautiful edifices. I believe these beautiful edifices. I believe there would be far more there would be far more marriages in the temple than marriages in the temple than there are today, because the there are today, because the children would have as a part of children would have as a part of their growing experience the their growing experience the picture of one of our temples picture of one of our temples constantly before them as a constantly before them as a reminder and a goal. I reminder and a goal. I recommend that to the Saints” recommend that to the Saints” (“The Things of Eternity—Stand We in Jeopardy?” (“The Things of Eternity—Stand We in Jeopardy?” Ensign,Ensign, Jan. 1977, p. 7). Jan. 1977, p. 7).

President Spencer President Spencer W. Kimball, twelfth W. Kimball, twelfth President of the President of the Church taught:Church taught:

Sing “Families Can Be Together Sing “Families Can Be Together Forever” Forever”

And/or “I Love to See the Temple” And/or “I Love to See the Temple”

Enrichment activity 7

Clipart and images are from lds.org (magazine library) and Clipart and images are from lds.org (magazine library) and Microsoft Office images. The scripture stories & hymn are Microsoft Office images. The scripture stories & hymn are from lds.org. Lesson and Enrichment Activities are from the from lds.org. Lesson and Enrichment Activities are from the Primary 6 Old Testament Manual. No copyrighted materials Primary 6 Old Testament Manual. No copyrighted materials were knowingly used improperly or without consent. Please were knowingly used improperly or without consent. Please do not use this presentation for commercial use.do not use this presentation for commercial use.