Courtship Roles Noticing
 The 
Opposite Sex

Courtship  roles noticing More and more people were born, until finally they spread all over the earth. Some of their daughters were so beautiful that supernatural beings came down and married the ones they wanted. Genesis 6:1-2 God blessed Ishmael, and as the boy grew older, he became an expert with his bow and arrows. He lived in the Paran Desert, and his mother chose an Egyptian woman for him to marry. Genesis 21:20-21 

Arranged marriages Abraham was now a very old man. Courtship Roles Noticing The Lord had made him rich, and he was successful in everything he did. Courtship roles noticing One day, Abraham called in his most trusted servant and said to him, “Solemnly promise me in the name of the Lord, who rules heaven and earth, that you won’t choose a wife for my son Isaac from the people here in the land of Canaan. Instead, go back to the land where I was born and find a wife for him from among my relatives. ” But the servant asked, “ What if the young woman I choose refuses to leave home and come here with me? Should I send Isaac there to look for a wife?” “No!” Abraham answered. Courtship roles noticing“ Don’t ever do that, no matter what. The Lord who rules heaven brought me here from the land where I was born and promised that he would give this land to my descendants forever. When you go back there, the Lord will send his angel ahead of you to help you find a wife for my son. If the woman refuses to come along, you don’t have to keep this promise. But don’t ever take my son back there. 

”So the servant gave Abraham his word that he would do everything he had been told to do. Soon after that, the servant loaded ten of Abraham’s camels with valuable gifts. Then he set out for the city in northern Syria, where Abraham’s brother Nahor lived. When he got there, he let the camels rest near the well outside the city. Courtship roles noticing It was late afternoon, the time when the women came out for water. The servant prayed: You, Lord, are the God my master Abraham worships. Please keep your promise to him and let me find a wife for Isaac today. The young women of the city will soon come to this well for water, and I’ll ask one of them for a drink. If she gives me a drink and then offers to get some water for my camels, I’ll know she is the one you have chosen and that you have kept your promise to my master. While he was still praying, a beautiful unmarried young woman came by with a water jar on her shoulder. She was Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Abraham’s brother Nahor and his wife Milcah. Courtship roles noticing  Rebekah walked past Abraham’s servant, then went over to the well, and filled her water jar. When she started back, Abraham’s servant ran to her and said, “Please let me have a drink of water.”

“I’ll be glad to,” she answered. Then she quickly took the jar from her shoulder and held it while he drank. After he had finished, she said, “Now I’ll give your camels all the water they want.” She quickly poured out water for them, and she kept going back for more, until his camels had drunk all they wanted. Abraham’s servant did not say a word, but he watched everything Rebekah did, because he wanted to know for certain if this was the woman the Lord had chosen. Courtship  roles noticing The servant had brought along an expensive gold ring and two large gold bracelets. When Rebekah had finished bringing the water, he gave her the ring for her nose and the bracelets for her arms. Then he said, “Please tell me who your father is. Does he have room in his house for me and my men to spend the night?” She answered, “My father is Bethuel, the son of Nahor and Milcah. We have a place where you and your men can stay, and we also have enough straw and feed for your camels. ”Then the servant bowed his head and prayed, “I thank you, Lord God of my master Abraham! You have led me to his relatives and kept your promise to him. ”Rebekah ran straight home and told her family everything. Her brother Laban heard her tell what the servant had said, and he saw the ring and the bracelets she was wearing. Courtship roles noticing So Laban ran out to Abraham’s servant, who was standing by his camels at the well. Then Laban said, “The Lord has brought you safely here. Come home with me. There’s no need for you to keep on standing outside. I have a room ready for you in our house, and there’s also a place for your camels. ”Abraham’s servant went home with Laban, where Laban’s servants unloaded his camels and gave them straw and feed.

Then they brought water into the house, so Abraham’s servant and his men could wash their feet. After that, they brought in food. But the servant said, “Before I eat, I must tell you why I have come.” “Go ahead and tell us,” Laban answered. The servant explained: I am Abraham’s servant. The Lord has been good to my master and has made him very rich. He has given him many sheep, goats, cattle, camels, and donkeys, as well as a lot of silver and gold, and many slaves. Sarah, my master’s wife, didn’t have any children until she was very old. Then she had a son, and my master has given him everything. Courtship roles noticing I solemnly promised my master that I would do what he said. And he told me, “Don’t choose a wife for my son from the women in this land of Canaan. Instead, go back to the land where I was born and find a wife for my son from among my relatives. ”I asked my master, “What if the young woman refuses to come with me? ”My master answered, Courtship roles noticing “I have always obeyed the Lord, and he will send his angel to help you find my son a wife from among my own relatives. But if they refuse to let her come back with you, then you are freed from your promise.” When I came to the well today, I silently prayed, “You, Lord, are the God my master Abraham worships, so please lead me to a wife for his son while I am here at the well. When a young woman comes out to get water, I’ll ask her to give me a drink. If she gives me a drink and offers to get some water for my camels, I’ll know she is the one you have chosen.” Courtship roles noticing  Even before I had finished praying, Rebekah came by with a water jar on her shoulder. When she had filled the jar, I asked her for a drink. She quickly lowered the jar from her shoulder and said, “Have a drink. Then I’ll get water for your camels.” So I drank, and after that she got some water for my camels. I asked her who her father was, and she answered, “My father is Bethuel the son of Nahor and Milcah.” Right away I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms. 

Then I bowed my head and gave thanks to the God my master Abraham worships. The Lord had led me straight to my master’s relatives, and I had found a wife for his son. Now please tell me if you are willing to do the right thing for my master. Will you treat him fairly, or do I have to look for another young woman? Laban and Bethuel answered, “The Lord has done this. Courtship roles noticing We have no choice in the matter. Take Rebekah with you; she can marry your master’s son, just as the Lord has said.” Abraham’s servant bowed down and thanked the Lord. Then he gave clothing, as well as silver and gold jewelry, to Rebekah. He also gave expensive gifts to her brother and her mother. Abraham’s servant and the men with him ate and drank, then spent the night there. The next morning they got up, and the servant told Rebekah’s mother and brother, “I would like to go back to my master now.” “Let Rebekah stay with us for a week or ten days,” they answered. “Then she may go.” But he said, “Don’t make me stay any longer. The Lord has already helped me find a wife for my master’s son. Courtship roles noticing Now let us return.” They answered, “Let’s ask Rebekah what she wants to do.” They called her and asked, “Are you willing to leave with this man right now?” “Yes,” she answered. So they agreed to let Rebekah and an old family servant woman leave immediately with Abraham’s servant and his men. They gave Rebekah their blessing and said, “We pray that God will give you many children and grandchildren and that he will help them defeat their enemies.” Afterwards, Rebekah and the young women who were to travel with her prepared to leave. Then they got on camels and left with Abraham’s servant and his men. 

At that time Isaac was living in the southern part of Canaan near a place called “The Well of the Living One Who Sees Me.” One evening he was walking out in the fields, when suddenly he saw a group of people approaching on camels. So he started toward them. Courtship roles noticing Rebekah saw him coming; she got down from her camel, and asked, “Who is that man?” “He is my master Isaac,” the servant answered. Then Rebekah covered her face with her veil. The servant told Isaac everything that had happened. Isaac took Rebekah into the tent where his mother had lived before she died, and Rebekah became his wife. He loved her and was comforted over the loss of his mother. Genesis 24:1-67 Seven-year wait Since Jacob was in love with Rachel, he answered, “If you will let me marry Rachel, I’ll work seven years for you.” Laban replied, “It’s better for me to let you marry Rachel than for someone else to have her. Courtship roles noticing So stay and work for me.” Jacob worked seven years for Laban, but the time seemed like only a few days, because he loved Rachel so much. Genesis 29:18-20 Rape, romance Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, went to visit some of the women who lived there. She was seen by Hamor’s son Shechem, the leader of the Hivites, and he grabbed her and raped her. But Shechem was attracted to Dinah, so he told her how much he loved her. Genesis 34:1-3

Moses, Zipporah when the seven daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian, came up to water their father’s sheep and goats. Some shepherds tried to chase them away, but Moses came to their rescue and watered their animals. Courtship roles noticing When Jethro’s daughters returned home, their father asked, “Why have you come back so early today?” They answered, “An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds, and he even watered our sheep and goats.” “Where is he?” Jethro asked. “Why did you leave him out there? Invite him to eat with us.” Moses agreed to stay on with Jethro, who later let his daughter Zipporah marry Moses. And when she had a son, Moses said, “I will name him Gershom, since I am a foreigner in this country.” Exodus 2:16-22 Samson, Philistine woman One day, Samson went to Timnah, where he saw a Philistine woman. When he got back home, he told his parents, “I saw a Philistine woman in Timnah, and I want to marry her. Courtship roles noticing Get her for me!” His parents answered, “There are a lot of women in our clan and even more in the rest of Israel. Courtship roles noticing Those Philistines are pagans. Why would you want to marry one of their women?” “She looks good to me,” Samson answered. “Get her for me!” At that time, the Philistines were in control of Israel, and the Lord wanted to stir up trouble for them. That’s why he made Samson desire that woman. As Samson and his parents reached the vineyards near Timnah, a fierce young lion suddenly roared and attacked Samson. But the Lord’s Spirit took control of Samson, and with his bare hands he tore the lion apart, as though it had been a young goat. His parents didn’t know what he had done, and he didn’t tell them. 

When they got to Timnah, Samson talked to the woman, and he was sure that she was the one for him. Judges 14:1-7 Kidnapped brides The men of Benjamin went to Shiloh and hid in the vineyards. The young women soon started dancing, and each man grabbed one of them and carried her off. Then the men of Benjamin went back to their own land and rebuilt their towns and started living in them again. Judges 21:23 Women’s initiative One day, Naomi said to Ruth: It’s time I found you a husband, who will give you a home and take care of you. You have been picking up grain alongside the women who work for Boaz, and you know he is a relative of ours. Courtship roles noticing Tonight he will be threshing the grain. Now take a bath and put on some perfume, then dress in your best clothes. Go where he is working, but don’t let him see you until he has finished eating and drinking. Watch where he goes to spend the night, then when he is asleep, lift the cover and lie down at his feet. He will tell you what to do. Ruth answered, “I’ll do whatever you say.” She went out to the place where Boaz was working and did what Naomi had told her. After Boaz finished eating and drinking and was feeling happy, he went over and fell asleep near the pile of grain. Courtship roles noticing Ruth slipped over quietly. She lifted the cover and lay down near his feet. In the middle of the night, Boaz suddenly woke up and was shocked to see a woman lying at his feet. “Who are you?” he asked. “Sir, I am Ruth,” she answered, “and you are the relative who is supposed to take care of me. So spread the edge of your cover over me. ”Boaz replied The Lord bless you! This shows how truly loyal you are to your family. Courtship Roles Noticing You could have looked for a younger man, either rich or poor, but you didn’t. Don’t worry, I’ll do what you have asked. You are respected by everyone in town. It’s true that I am one of the relatives who is supposed to take care of you, but there is someone who is an even closer relative. 

Stay here until morning, then I will find out if he is willing to look after you. If he isn’t, I promise by the living God to do it myself. Now go back to sleep until morning. Ruth lay down again, but she got up before daylight, because Boaz did not want anyone to know she had been there. Then he told her to spread out her cape. And he filled it with a lot of grain and placed it on her shoulder. When Ruth got back to town, Naomi asked her what had happened, and Ruth told her everything. Courtship roles noticing She also said, “Boaz gave me this grain, because he didn’t want me to come back without something for you.” Naomi replied, “Just be patient and don’t worry about what will happen. He won’t rest until everything is settled today!” Ruth 3:1-18 Bargaining hearts One day, Saul told David, “If you’ll be brave and fight the Lord’s battles for me, I’ll let you marry my oldest daughter Merab.” But Saul was really thinking, “I don’t want to kill David myself, so I’ll let the Philistines do it for me.”1 Samuel 18:17 Times of restraint for throwing stones and gathering stones, embracing and parting. Ecclesiastes 3:5 No romantic serenades Fire destroyed the young men, and the young women were left with no one to marry. Psalm 78:63 Stealing heart My bride, my very own, you have stolen my heart! With one glance from your eyes and the glow of your necklace, you have stolen my heart. Song of Solomon 4:9 Males easily find wild donkey You are a female donkey sniffing the desert air, wanting to mate with just anyone. Jeremiah 2:24 Evil woman’s courtship I’ll stop Israel’s celebrations—no more New Moon Festivals, Sabbaths, or other feasts. Courtship roles noticing She said, “My lovers gave me vineyards and fig trees as payment for sex.” Now I, the Lord, will ruin her vineyards and fig trees; they will become clumps of weeds eaten by wild animals. I’ll punish her for the days she worshiped Baal and burned incense to him. I’ll punish her for the times she forgot about me and wore jewelry and rings to attract her lovers. I, the Lord, have spoken! Israel, I, the Lord, will lure you into the desert and speak gently to you I will return your vineyards, and then Trouble Valley will become Hopeful Valley. You will say “Yes” to me as you did in your youth, when leaving Egypt. Courtship roles noticing I promise that from that day on, you will call me your husband instead of your master. Hosea 2:11-16

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