Tag: Daily reading through the Bible
Those “Hittite” Women!
Scripture Reading for January 12–Genesis 27-31
“When Esau was 40 years old, he married Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.” Genesis 26:34-35
Abraham sent his servant to find a bride for Isaac to insure the godly line would be continued. Isaac and Rebekah had the twins Jacob and Esau. But Esau had a taste for these Hittite women, not just one, but two wives at the same time! It seems that Esau was oblivious to the grief he caused his godly parents. He went right ahead in spite of their personal marriage story and probably their godly training and advice. Marrying one was bad enough, but two was too much of a bad thing!
God wants us to walk by faith and in obedience to His Word. He has placed those in authority over us to help us learn how to live and please the Lord. Choosing a mate is one of the most important choices we make in life. We as parents know our children and we know God (hopefully). We should give godly instruction to our children to marry only believers. We should help them by setting an example of a godly marriage and home and helping them evaluate the kind of man or woman who would complement their personality. This person, according to Scripture should always be a believer and strong person of faith! (2nd Corinthians 6:14-18) In fact, this is one of the only restrictions God puts on marriage. (Marriage is only between a man and woman.)
Why does God require this? According to Scripture (Malachi 2:15) He desires godly offspring! It’s simple enough to understand. In Genesis 4, there were Cain and Abel. One feared God, the other didn’t. In Genesis 6-8 there were Noah’s offspring and all the rest who were wicked! From Abraham and Sarah, there were Ishmael and Isaac. From Isaac and Rebekah there were Jacob and Esau. Believing parents have a better chance of raising godly children! It is still not a guarantee because each person has a free will to choose faith or self. The Christian worldview on marriage needs re-emphasis in our world today! Unbelieving mates and unequally yoked marriages cause great grief and pain to believers and to the heart of God when He see children without a godly example in the home! Don’t marry “those Hittite women”!
” Then Rebekah said to Isaac, “I’m disgusted with living because of these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a wife from among the women of this land, from Hittite women like these, my life will not be worth living.” Genesis 27:46
” Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what have righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” 2nd Corinthians 6:14-15