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the influence of the parents。 Examples of rebellion against parental and
divine authority are ever before the youth； many form attachments for
infidels and unbelievers； and cast in their lot with the enemies of God。
In choosing a home； God would have us consider； first of all； the moral and
religious influences that will surround us and our families。 We may be
placed in trying positions； for many cannot have their surroundings what
they would； and whenever duty calls us； God will enable us to stand
uncorrupted； if we watch and pray； trusting in the grace of Christ。 But we
should not needlessly expose ourselves to influences that are unfavorable to
the formation of Christian character。 When we voluntarily place ourselves in
an atmosphere of worldliness and unbelief； we displease God and drive holy
angels from our homes。
Those who secure for their children worldly wealth and honor at the expense
of their eternal interests； will find in the end that these advantages are a
terrible loss。 Like Lot； many see their children ruined； and barely save
their own souls。 Their lifework is lost； their life is a sad failure。 Had
they exercised true wisdom； their children might have had less of worldly
prosperity； but they would have made sure of a title to the immortal
inheritance。
The heritage that God has promised to His people is not in this world。
Abraham had no possession in the earth； 〃no； not so much as to set his foot
on。〃 Acts 7：5。 He possessed great substance； and he used it to the glory of
God and the good of his fellow men； but he did not look upon this world as
his home。 The Lord had called him to leave his idolatrous countrymen； with
the promise of the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession； yet neither
he nor his son nor his son's son received it。 When Abraham desired a burial
place for his dead； he had to buy it of the Canaanites。 His sole possession
in the Land of Promise was that rock…hewn tomb in the cave of Machpelah。
But the word of God had not failed； neither did it meet its final
accomplishment in the occupation of Canaan by the Jewish people。 〃To Abraham
and his seed were the promises made。〃
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Galatians 3：16。 Abraham himself was to share the inheritance。 The
fulfillment of God's promise may seem to be long delayed for 〃one day is
with the Lord as a thousand years； and a thousand years as one day〃 （2 Peter
3：8）； it may appear to tarry； but at the appointed time 〃it will surely
come； it will not tarry。〃 Habakkuk 2：3。 The gift to Abraham and his seed
included not merely the land of Canaan； but the whole earth。 So says the
apostle； 〃The promise； that he should be the heir of the world； was not to
Abraham； or to his seed； through the law； but through the righteousness of
faith。〃 Romans 4：13。 And the Bible plainly teaches that the promises made to
Abraham are to be fulfilled through Christ。 All that are Christ's are
〃Abraham's seed； and heirs according to the promise〃heirs to 〃an
inheritance incorruptible； and undefiled； and that fadeth not away〃the
earth freed from the curse of sin。 Galatians 3：29； 1 Peter 1：4。 For 〃the
kingdom and dominion； and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole
heaven； shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High；〃 and
〃the meek shall inherit the earth； and shall delight themselves in the
abundance of peace。〃 Daniel 7：27； Psalm 37：11。
God gave to Abraham a view of this immortal inheritance； and with this hope
he was content。 〃By faith he sojourned in the Land of Promise； as in a
strange country； dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob； the heirs
with him of the same promise： for he looked for a city which hath
foundations； whose builder and maker is God。〃 Hebrews 11：9； 10。
Of the posterity of Abraham it is written； 〃These all died in faith； not
having received the promises； but having seen them afar off； and were
persuaded of them； and embraced them； and confessed that they were strangers
and pilgrims on the earth。〃 Verse 13。 We must dwell as pilgrims and
strangers here if we would gain 〃a better country； that is； an heavenly。〃
Verse 16。 Those who are children of Abraham will be seeking the city which
he looked for； 〃whose builder and maker is God。〃
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Chapter 15
The Marriage of Isaac
Abraham had become an old man； and expected soon to die； yet one act
remained for him to do in securing the fulfillment of the promise to his
posterity。 Isaac was the one divinely appointed to succeed him as the keeper
of the law of God and the father of the chosen people； but he was yet
unmarried。 The inhabitants of Canaan were given to idolatry； and God had
forbidden intermarriage between His people and them； knowing that such
marriages would lead to apostasy。 The patriarch feared the effect of the
corrupting influences surrounding his son。 Abraham's habitual faith in God
and submission to His will were reflected in the character of Isaac； but the
young man's affections were strong； and he was gentle and yielding in
disposition。 If united with one who did not fear God； he would be in danger
of sacrificing principle for the sake of harmony。 In the mind of Abraham the
choice of a wife for his son was a matter of grave importance； he was
anxious to have him marry one who would not lead him from God。
In ancient times marriage engagements were generally made by the parents；
and this was the custom among those who worshiped God。 None were required to
marry those whom they could not love； but in the bestowal of their
affections the youth were guided by the judgment of their experienced；
God…fearing parents。 It was regarded as a dishonor to parents； and even a
crime； to pursue a course contrary to this。
Isaac； trusting to his father's wisdom and affection； was satisfied to
commit the matter to him； believing also that God Himself would direct in
the choice made。 The patriarch's thoughts turned to his father's kindred in
the land of Mesopotamia。 Though not free from idolatry； they cherished the
knowledge and the worship of the true God。 Isaac must not leave Canaan to go
to them； but it might be that among them could be found one who would leave
her home and unite with him in maintaining
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the pure worship of the living God。 Abraham committed the important matter
to 〃his eldest servant；〃 a man of piety； experience； and sound judgment； who
had rendered him long and faithful service。 He required this servant to make
a solemn oath before the Lord； that he would not take a wife for Isaac of
the Canaanites； but would choose a maiden from the family of Nahor in
Mesopotamia。 He charged him not to take Isaac thither。 If a damsel could not
be found who would leave her kindred； then the messenger would be released
from his oath。 The patriarch encouraged him in his difficult and delicate
undertaking with the assurance that God would crown his mission with
success。 〃The Lord God of heaven；〃 he said； 〃which took me from my father's
house； and from the land of my kindred； 。 。 。 He shall send His angel before
thee。〃
The messenger set out w